Male rats are quite wonderful:

• They are bigger, calmer, and cuddlier than most girls.
• They are much less prone to tumors.
• Most boy rats get along fine with each other, especially if raised together; in the rare case of aggression, neutering usually takes care of the problem. (Note I do not recommend neutering under other circumstances, because of the risks of surgery.)
• You'll get used to their male "equipment" -- really! If anything, most people end up amused by it.
• Male rats smell slightly more than females, but this can be countered by more frequent cage cleaning, and giving them baths. Some people actually like the way boy rats smell (kind of like warm corn tortillas).

I often recommend boy rats for first-time owners, because they are calmer and less likely to get into mischief than girls.

On the other hand, female rats are equally charming. Here's why:

• They are much more active than boys, which makes them fun to watch. They will use you as a jungle gym, climbing all over.
• They will stay playful and active until they are quite old.
• They are neater (usually) and smell less than male rats.
• Females usually get along with each other very well. Adult female to baby female introductions can be a bit tricky, though.
• They are much less prone to heart and kidney issues than males are.
• They have a softer, sleeker coat, and rarely if ever need to be bathed.

Caging requirements for each sex are about the same; females need more room to run around in, and males need more room to accomodate their larger size.

Breeding Goals and Philosophy