Yes, being raised together is great... I have a Guinea Pig, a Cat and a doggo who all love each other because they were raised together. It can be harder to introduce prey species to hunter species after they are adults.

Personally, I wouldn't trust a cat with a rat ever, even if they grew up together.

My cat sleeps with the guinea pig. It all depends on the individual cat and the individual rat.

And, unlike most small pets, they seem really interested in interacting with their human ! Not just as food supply. (Of course there are exceptions, some may be shy)

I had a rescued norway rat who was a huge guy. He was named Nicodemus and was a sweetheart. He was often let out of his cage to socialize and taught himself how to escape. He had a routine, every night he'd let himself out, go through the living room, into my bedroom and climb up on my bed. He'd then curl up next to my neck and go to sleep. he never made a mess and would often lick my ear and whisper to me. It was so sweet. Loved him 3000

Awww. Did you name him after the rat from Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NiMH? I loved that book as a kid!

Uhmm, not gonna lie ... You do want to make sure any cables in the room are well covered in some way 😬😉

@Katie, really? That’s good to know, had only girls so far 😁

I've had both! A good demonstration of how they're different: I bought a canvas puppy playpen and filled it with toys and treats, thinking my rats would love it. I put the girls in there and they instantly started running around looking for a way out and then escaped by chewing a hole in the wall! So I tried the boys instead... and *they* instantly lay down and went to sleep! (Either way I got rid of the playpen - talk about a waste of forty bucks, grumble...)

🤣🤣🤣 Oh well, it was worth a try!

Even more hilariously, the lady I sold it to was also a rat owner and when we met again a few years later I asked how it went and she said one of her girls completely demolished the thing! 🤣

Which supports your theory of girls being more savage in general. 🧐🤔 Interesting indeed! Might consider boys if I ever have ratties again!