introducing new rat???????????

[Save the Wild]

so i got a baby rat 3 weeks ago. she is probably around 9 weeks old. i know i should have gotten 2 originally, but i didnt, so dont tell me that. i want to get another rat to acompany her so she wont get depressed, she is young enough so i think it shouldnt be too hard. i want to know everything i need to know about introducing a new rat. do i need to quarintine it first? do i need to get a second cage?

 

[Jeramiah Squires]

ive done this with syrian hamsters but i made sure they were from litter though. they were fine for about a year before they started fighting. your best bet is to try and get one of her sisters.

 

[Locus Iste]

Ok, heres my guide to introducing ^^:

You will need a second cage to put the new rat in at the beginning.

You should first put the two cages in separate rooms for a few days then you should place the two cages near each each other so that they can get used to each others scent. Don't put them so close that they can touch each other but make it so that they can see and smell each other. Leave it like that for about a week.

Next, introduce the rats in a neutral place like a bathtub or some place where your original rats don't go (and leave their scent). If they show any signs of aggression (arching their backs and attacking each other) then unfortunately you cant really put them together for safety purposes.

Once the rats have been introduced, let them play in each others cages. ALWAYS watch them because you don't want any fights. once you think its okay then you can move them in together =] It's okay to put them all in the new cage or you could even get a newer cage which neither of the rats have lived in so that there are no territorial problems (but this probably isn't nessicary).

Good luck! =]

*note: there is a difference between play-fighting and actual fighting. play-fighting is when the rats are nuzzling each others faces and jumping around and chasing each other. this is normal in small rats. actual fighting involves biting, scratching and hissing

 

[Kay]

You should ALWAYS quarantine a new rat for at least two weeks to prevent the spread of illness. Here's a good guide I use for my rats.
http://ratguide.com/health/basics/quarantine.php
During the quarantine, the new rat does not see the original rat, not even through the cage bars. I see some people are saying to put the cages next to each other rat away but you don't do that. That can still spread respiratory infections or whatever else the rat may be carrying.
After the quarantine, you can move the cages next to each other and also introduce them in a neutral territory, like your couch or the bath tub. You do not just want to throw them together in one of the cages.
http://www.ratfanclub.org/newrat.html
There is a good guide for introducing new rats. Another good site with tons of rat information, and my favorite rat site is this one: http://dapper.com.au/index.htm
Good luck!

 

[Kai Ski]

1- Get a little cage for the new rat and put it in there. Then set the new rat cage next to the older rats cage to let them get used to each other
2- Clean the older rats cage real well and re arrange everything
3- Put them together and watch them.
4- Do this for a few days just to make sure nothing happens
5- Wveryone should be fine now and they SHOULD be able to live together
HOPE I HELPED!!!!