rabbit+rat=friend?

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This topic has 4sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 13 years ago by Sarita.

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- 04/23/2011 at 7:53 AM
  meow1
  Participant
  322 posts
  Does anyone know if houe rabbits and pet rats could be friends? I don’t have a pet rat, but I am very curious about this. I’ve thought about having a pet rat before.
- 04/23/2011 at 8:17 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  You have to be very, very cautious with having animals of different species in the same space. For one, microorganisms that are native to one, may cause an issue in the other. Plus, you run the risk of one or the other getting injured (bitten, scratched, etc). I would keep rabbits away from other small animals.
- 04/23/2011 at 8:41 AM
  meow1
  Participant
  322 posts
  Oh, I see. Well, of course they would have their own actual living space, but then be able to “play” (if they wanted to, of course), just like how I do with my dog. They aren’t together 24/7, but usually I let them together in the living room. They pretty much leave each other alone for the most part.
- 04/25/2011 at 6:07 PM
  mossling
  Participant
  229 posts
  well first of all, you can’t have just *a* rat. rats are extremely social and must live in same sex groups. single rats are depressed, less likely to bond with their people, more prone to illness (do to stress and depression), and live shorter lives. now that that is out of the way!
  
  something a lot of people don’t realize, in the wild, rats are also preditors. they frequently hunt birds, eat mice, lizards, and other small animals. if you have a dwarf breed rabbit, i would be concerned that the rat’s wild instincts could kick in. unlike dogs, you can’t teach a rat to control its prey drive. my sister was visiting once, and brought out my new little ferret, not realizing that several of my rats where playing in the living room. one of my big male rats attacked the ferret, and nearly had him for lunch. the only time i have ever been bitten by a rat was when i was trying to pull templeton off of vash. conversly, most rabbits are significantly larger than rats, and could seriously hurt one if it was mad enough. you can easily own both at the same time (i have), but i would suggest keeping them separate. better safe than sorry!
- 04/25/2011 at 6:09 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  Rats are extremely intelligent pets but they ARE NOT good friends for rabbits. Just really are not compatible at all.
  
  They would be totally fine separate but never ever together.
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