Domestic rats are highly social, intelligent animals whose welfare as companions requires understanding of their cognitive and social complexity.
Companion rats suffer profoundly from isolation, which is still common practice. A single rat in a bare cage is a welfare failure on multiple dimensions. Their empathy and social bonding capacity means they form deep attachments that make social deprivation particularly painful. Their short lifespan means every month of inadequate care represents a significant proportion of their life. Pair or group housing with complex multi-level enclosures and daily free-roaming time provides the welfare standard these intelligent animals deserve.