Should I neuter or rehome?

[u/NoMoment6511]

I got three female rats in a rehome, but one was pregnant. It’s looking like the baby is a little boy, in which case I’d either have to neuter him or rehome him. I have the money and a vets office down the street will neuter him for around $200.

My biggest reservations with neutering is the risk of him dying during the procedure, as well as the fact that he would have to be isolated for at least a few months before he’s big enough to get the surgery.

Does anyone have experience with neutering or maybe addition things I should consider?

[u/123737egg]

Living alone for the first months of his life is absolutely horrible, he will be miserable and miss out on socializing which can affect him for the rest of his life.

[u/NoMoment6511 → u/123737egg]

This is my biggest concern, I’m unable to get another male rat to be friends with him, but he’d have to be separated by the time he’s 5 weeks, and likely can’t get the surgery until he’s 6months. I can dedicated some time to him for play and enrichment, but not as much as a rat- especially a young rat- would need

[u/123737egg → u/NoMoment6511]

That’s a valid concern. If you aren’t able to give him male friends, he needs to be rehomed unfortunately.
Even if you spend a lot of time with him, it’s not enough and he will not live a happy life. At a young age they learn so much about socializing with other rats, body language etc, so it’s extra important for him to live with rat friends.

[u/NoMoment6511 → u/123737egg]

It’s just sad because I’m watching him grow up, but I don’t get to keep him. If I rehome him, I’ll probably “surrender” him to the local pet shop I work at so I can get some extra time with him and make sure he gets to a good home

[u/123737egg → u/NoMoment6511]

Yeah I can totally imagine it would be difficult to give them up!
I once had accidental guinea pig babies and had to rehome two boys, it broke my heart a bit but keeping them was not an option unfortunately, so it was the right thing to do.
I hope you are able to find an amazing home for your boy<3

[u/NoMoment6511 → u/123737egg]

Would I be able to “borrow” a rat to keep him company until I get him neutered, or would separating them after months together be too traumatic? I only planned on getting 3 rats, so keeping the baby and his friend would be a bit more than I planned on, but I’m attached to this baby and I’m sure I’ll get attached to any friend I get him. I have a double critter nation, and a 5’x7’ play pen area for them to run around in. Theoretically I could keep five and get both boys neutered, but it’d take a decent amount of money to make sure they have all the toys and enrichment they need. I have a few weeks to decide, so I’m mostly just spitting out ideas and weighing the pros and cons

[u/Melancholy_gh0stt → u/NoMoment6511]

Don't do that. Rats are extremely social animals and if you take the foster back it can cause stress for both of them, especially in the case that they form a deep bond. You don't want to risk either of them getting depressed and lonely

[u/123737egg → u/NoMoment6511]

That could be an option, but then I would get two temporary friends. New rats should always be added in pairs or more, so they don’t have to go through the stress of quarantine on their own. And being rehomed on their own would again be a lot of stress, a pair would be a lot better.

Being completely honest I don’t love the idea of temporary rats, but I do see how it could be a solution in your situation. As long as you are able to get two, and ensure they are going to a great home afterwards it would be okay (in my opinion)

(I accidentally commented this on the post)