Okay, I need some help settling a debate amongst myself and my "all-knowing" friend, whose single rat recently died. She was told by a rat 'expert' that if you feed meat to your rat, it makes them more carniferous(sp?), and therefore, they will always bite. This sounds rather ridiculous to me, but I was just wondering everyone's take on this. By the way, the same lady told my friend that if you really want your rat to be friendly and bond to you, they must always be kept single. I was going to go to Debbie D for some proof, but I'm hoping you guys can provide me with some facts... Thanx in advance!  

Ok first about the single rat theory. When I got my first rat from Petco (I didn't know any better) the lady at the store (who said she had rats herself) told me I should get 1 rat  because it'll bond with you more that way. She told me she had 3 females but kept them all separately because if they have cagemates they'll bond with each other but not with you. If I saw her again I will strangle her! Misty was a very lonely, very unhappy rat for 2 weeks because I listened to this nonsense! She was grumpy and skiddish until I introduced a friend to her, which changed her into a whole new rat!

Whoever says single rats bond with you more, I would tell them I have 14 rats right now, 7 boys in one cage and 7 girls in another, and I have NOT noticed any of them being less friendly because they love their cagemates more than they love me. Many of my rats are extremely attached to me and are very sweet, I don't think they can be any MORE bonded with me than they're already.

About the meat thing. Are we talking raw meat or just any meat at all? If they mean just meat in general, they're kidding themselves. What do they think is in commercial rat food, lab blocks, dog and cat food? Meat products! Ok, so they're processed meat but still meat none the less.

I've fed cooked chicken and beef and my rats hadn't turned vampires on me yet. Raw meat of course shouldn't be fed because of health reasons.

rats may play FAVORITES with food you feed them.. but they can eat meat as part of a normal diet, as well as eating certain fresh fruits and veggies.
In some cases, its heard of to feed prekilled mouse pinkies to rats as part of their diet since rats are predatory of smaller rodents.  (not very practiced, but not unheard of)

I avoid meats with seasoning and excessive salt content. (pork.. soy sauce or teriyaki etc)
Chicken is a yummy treat.
I have cooked a whole chicken breast to split with my rats and cat.
Everyone gets a bit of tuna as well.
burger meat after being rinsed is good too.

Mine have not turned their noses up to their grains, fruits and veggies though. =)

As I think has been clearly stated, both statements are utterly and completely FALSE.

Tell your friend that if she feeds seagulls Alka-Seltzer, they will explode.  

Or maybe she has the Fox book in her library (of misinformation)...

Tell him that's not an option, it's a necessity for your pet's well being.

How long have you had Max on his own?

Wow, and I thought marriage was about compromise, and about partnership. I'm sorry you're in such a situation.

*makes mental note to give hubby a GIANT kiss when he gets home*

I've heard about the myth that single rats bond better. Here are some other myths I've heard about rat care.

1. rats like being in smaller cages.
2. pet rats attract wild rats (that's what my dad thinks). Since having the problem with wild rats my pets who come for visits are assumed to be the culprits.
3. you can catch diseases from pet rats. Even Domestic ones. When I fall ill the rats always seem to be believed to be the culprits.
4. you can't neuter males.
5. putting rats(or mice in a freezer is a painless death) I read an article recently which made me realise how wrong this myth was. It made me feel terrible.
6. you must not handle baby rats.
7. rats are extremely tough and never fall ill.

It also really doesn't cost any more to take care of two than one -- and certainly costs less than taking care of a dog.

Hopefully you can make him understand.

What I would recommend:

Find a used 10 gallon aquarium at a flea market/yard sale/whatever.  You can use this as a quarantine cage, as well as a sick tank, if a rat needs to be isolated or kept in a one level area.  

Find a breeder in your area.  Ask us for recommendations.  A good breeder can help give you the healthiest pet possible.  He or she can also help you with any introduction problems you may have.

Finally, start soon  Introductions are easiest when both rats are young.  An older laid back male can also be very easy to introduce a young rat to, but sometimes as they get older, they can get very set in their ways.

And, spend as much time as you can with Max - so he's not sitting around being lonely.

I try and make sure we handle baby max as often as possiable, (probably more than his likeing, as he wants to sleep during the day..and my cont. cleaning of his cage since he is on papertowles keeps him shredding bedding all day. ) The problem I am comming across is the only breeder I can find close to me is Lonestar rats, yes I am in Texas, but we are a very large state and Lonestar is still about 6-7 hours one way from us. So the petstore (petsmart) where we purchased max seems to be the only other place I semi trust to get another baby from. (although max had terriable sneezes when we got him )..I signed up to adopt a baby rescue from all those that were rescued just the other day..but it seems most all the other rat lovers live on the east and west coast..not close to me at all. It will all work out, and I am going to start checking the thrift stores for the extra cage.  

dean called home at lunch and I told him all the opinions I had gotten on the matter of max being alone and he agreed to think it over..but I first have to find a cheap cage, and a second part time job to help with the expenses. (im a stay at home mom)..so at least thats a start.  

As for loner rats, I don't condone it, but like many others, my first Rat, Skye was alone for probably 6 months to a year before I decided to get Zoe. I didn't know, I also used pine bedding and fed her seed. And she was my longest lived, healthiest rat at a good ol' 4.5 years. But like I said, I do not reccommend any of it. She was probably so bored that first part of her life, I was at school most of the day. Poor baby. But we all learn from experience of ourselves and others.  

PS - The meat thing just seems silly to me. I give my rats chicken and sometimes hotdog, they never turn vicious on me.