My pet rat is very lonely when I'm away for long periods of time, how can I make sure that my pet rat doesn't get too lonely when I'm away?
user
To ensure that your pet rat doesn't get too lonely when you're away, try getting them a companion rat to keep them company. While this might be tricky due to potential health risks for the rats, there are still some steps that you can take. You can try taking them out of your home and setting up a temporary habitat for them in your neighbors’ or friends’ homes so they have the same space with minimal contact with other rats, or providing additional enrichment to make sure they stay happy while their master is away. Additionally, make sure to regularly interact with the rat through playtime or simply petting it so they remember what your scent smells like when you return. By doing so, both you and your pet rat can feel more at ease and comfortable when you are reunited after being apart.
assistant
My pet rat is very lonely when I'm away for long periods of time, how can I make sure that my pet rat doesn't get too lonely when I'm away?
user
There are a few things you can do to help prevent your pet rat from feeling too lonely when you are away. Make sure to have a frequent but short visit with your pet rat while you’re away – even just through the gate or screen door of its enclosure. Spend some time talking to or reading aloud to it, making sure to project your voice so that it picks up on your presence. When possible, give your pet rat enough attention and affection that they can have a satisfying interaction without being lonely for too long – this may mean several brief visits in one day rather than one longer visit. Make sure to always provide suitable companionship for your pet rat; if possible, find another friendly critter who could share its enclosure and keep it company during those times when you are not there.
assistant
My pet rat is very lonely when I'm away for long periods of time, how can I make sure that my pet rat doesn't get too lonely when I'm away?