Does your pet have a pal?

As you might know from reading my blog, I share my apartment with four pet rats and three pet mice. Rats and mice make great pets, as they are fairly low maintenance when compared to a dog or a cat. However, they are still very intelligent, fully of energy, and lots of fun to have around.

Pictured above (from left to right) are my four rats, Isabella, Chloe, Georgie, and Amy. They are the best of friends!

Pets are social creatures

Rats and mice are both social critters. They love playing with their buddies, but then they are happy to snuggle up with a friend once playtime is over and it’s time for a nap. Most pets, whether it’s a rat, dog, cat, or bird, enjoy having another animal as a buddy, especially if they spend most of the day at home without people around. It gets pretty boring if you’re by yourself all day!

Many pet behavior problems surface when pets are bored. If the animal is not getting enough exercise and attention from interacting with other animals and people, the animal has to find ways to entertain herself, such as chewing up your couch! Getting a second pet can give your first pet a friend who will keep her engaged, both physically and mentally.

Note: While most animals are social creatures and enjoy having a buddy, some aren’t social! So, it’s extra important to know your species and to get to know your individual pets, before introducing a new animal to your household. For example, male mice (even litter mates) will usually kill each other once they reach adulthood. My three male mice are neutered, which reduces their hormone levels. They get along great and I often catch them grooming each other or napping together. You can see Jack and Dickens snuggling together in the photo above.

P.A.L.’s new video: Pets want to have a friend!

Earlier in the summer I posted how my pet rats add life. I’m working some this summer with the P.A.L (Pets Add Life) campaign. P.A.L. promotes responsible pet ownership, including spaying and neutering your pet, and the benefits of adopting a pet. All worthy causes, I feel!

P.A.L. recently released a humorous new video on their where an energetic dog, an overly-talkative cockatiel, and a grumpy white cat are interviewed regarding how they feel about being an only pet. P.A.L. wants to make sure that when people adopt or purchase animals that people are thinking about the animal’s needs and providing a happy life for their pet.

Check it out here:

What do you think?

How many pets do you have? Does your pet have a friend? If you have multiple pets, do your pets get along?

Do you think the benefits of having multiple pets outweigh the extra costs (including time and money)? Leave a comment, I’d love to hear about your pets and what you think!

This post is sponsored by the Pets Add Life campaign and the American Pet Products Association. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the benefits and joys of pet ownership.

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