Is This Rat Sibling Rivalry? You Decide.

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Watch the Video

Is rat sibling rivalry a real thing? When watching this video at first glance, you might think competing over food is typical behavior for rats as pets. However, the truth is a bit more muddled than it first appears when going over the facts. So, let’s see if we can put the particulars around this rat sibling rivalry to rest.

Are Rats Good Pets?

Rats make for great pets on the whole. They’re quite compact compared to the likes of dogs or cats, highly intelligent, and incredibly social to boot. Given their higher intelligence level, you’ll find a rat as a pet loves to play, is eager to learn, and is ready to cuddle up after a long day’s work. Despite their sterling reputation as pets, they are less common than you might think.

Rats as Pets: What to Know

Before you run out and buy a few rats, there are some things to keep in mind. Rats need quite a bit of space, thanks in part to their intelligence and love of play. But you can’t realistically let a rat roam the house freely like you would a cat or dog.

Additionally, you’ll run into considerable expenses when keeping rats, at least when it comes to healthcare. Dogs and cats are the norm, and animals like rats are considered exotics, which drives those vet bills up considerably. Plan accordingly, and you’ll have a great pet, though.

How Many Rats Are Ideal as Pets?

do rats make good pets — You’ll want to get more than one rat if you’re planning to keep them as pets.

©Ukki Studio/Shutterstock.com

Rats are social animals by their nature, so a single rat isn’t going to cut it. You’ll find they get lonely and are likely to yearn for more regular interaction. If you’re looking to purchase rats as a pet, you’ll want to consider getting two at first. Rats bond in pairs, so two is the minimum you’ll want to consider when plotting out cages, accessories, and the rest of the accoutrements that come with owning rats as pets.

What Kind of Food Are These Rats Eating?

In the attached video, this pair of rats are eating flax meal and baby food. This doesn’t sound too out of place for feeding a child, and the rats seem to enjoy it quite a bit. At first glance, this rat sibling rivalry seems to be quite heated, but they eventually begrudgingly agree to share the food. As rats are highly food-motivated, it might be in their best interests to get an equal share of it.

Is This Typical Behavior for Rats?

Fighting over food is normal behavior for rats. Thankfully, as depicted in the attached video, this pair is quite calm comparatively. However, some rat owners have noted vicious fighting when doling out food for dinner time. You can avoid some of this by encouraging their natural foraging instincts and providing ample food so they don’t feel the need to compete.

Conclusion

So, is this rat sibling rivalry real or fake? It’s as real as fighting with your kid brother or sister over the corner piece of a fresh pan of brownies. There doesn’t seem to be any malice behind the action, just a want to get a nice mouthful of something tasty.