Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: For the Rat-Experienced...

  1. #1
    God/dess Embyr's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Schlong Beach, Cauliflower
    Posts
    2,558
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 14 Times in 5 Posts

    Default For the Rat-Experienced...

    Ok... I have a ratty problem.

    I just got a second rat, Pheno, to be a partner for my first rat, Adiran. I have a huge castle of a cage for them, and was SO excited for them to be best buddies for life!!!! umm... wishful thinking... Adiran beat the shit out of him before I separated them. I have their cages together right now so they can sniff each other, communicate and work it out... but...

    I read that when a new male is first introduced, it is actually NORmal for him to get rough-housed by the dominant male (assertion of power roles in animal kingdom), but there shouldn't be scratching/prolonged fighting involved.... which there was.

    Should I just try this again later? Take more time and do the introduction slowly? Pheno and Adiran were both raised with other rats... it's not like they don't know how to be social... I guess it's a newbie/older rat territorial thing? I wish I could interpret the squeaking!

    Any suggestions from the rat-literate on how to go about doing a more polite introduction??? Windy? Alexxa? any others? I tried them on neutral territory.... but adiran just chased pheno around the apartment until the baby dived into my motorcycle boot.... now THAT was cute!!!!! (adiran's too fat to fit in my boots these days.) anyway... any help would be great... thanks guys/gals!!!!
    Last edited by Embyr; 10-18-2007 at 11:28 AM.

  2. #2
    God/dess
    Joined
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Mid America
    Posts
    2,355
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Default Re: For the Rat-Experienced...

    Put two wire cacges together so they can see each other. Leave them like this for a few hours or a day so they can smell/size each other up. I'd then maybe take them to a neutral area like a box, and put them together. If it's neutral, one won't feel the need to protect it.

  3. #3
    God/dess Embyr's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Schlong Beach, Cauliflower
    Posts
    2,558
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 14 Times in 5 Posts

    Default Re: For the Rat-Experienced...

    yeah the cages are together (*see pic) but I'm afraid to put them together in an enclosed area like a box.. the apt. is "neutral..." somewhat.... should I just try that again so if adiran goes after the newbie I can separate them? (and pheno can run away?)

  4. #4
    God/dess
    Joined
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Mid America
    Posts
    2,355
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Default Re: For the Rat-Experienced...

    I've had two male rats fight until they bled. Sometimes it will resolve but if there is anything more than scratches, I'd pick up both by the scruffs and give them a light warning shake. This usually makes them snap out of their fighting and pay attention to the huge giant picking them up. It helps distract them and may help subdue the fighting.


    ETA: Also, can you try holding one in each hand, no paws out, and let them sniff and a good distance, moving closer if they seem ok?

  5. #5
    God/dess Embyr's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Schlong Beach, Cauliflower
    Posts
    2,558
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 14 Times in 5 Posts

    Default Re: For the Rat-Experienced...

    oh. well. that helps! i guess rats (the animal kingdom) just need to work things out on their own/ i'll give 'em another 2 hrs to simmer down and try it again. thank you! glad i'm not the only one w/ frustrating rodents.

  6. #6
    God/dess
    Joined
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Mid America
    Posts
    2,355
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Default Re: For the Rat-Experienced...

    Yeah. I doubt it will be serious biting. It will be hissing and lunging/wrestling and light bites/scrathes. It does seem alittle scary though if you are not used to it. It was my first time.

  7. #7
    Featured Member georgiapeach's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2006
    Location
    on Falkor the luckdragon's back
    Posts
    938
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts

    Default Re: For the Rat-Experienced...

    getting them used to each other's scents may help a bit. swap a washcloth or a toy that each of them have lived with for a little bit.

    male rats can be tricky to mix once they, or just one, is mature. you could get them neutered. that often helps to stifle agression. but don't rush it. with pretty much any animals, it will take a while for the established pet to accept the newcomer. just try to make a little progress at a time.

    if you get them to the point where they can live in the same cage, make sure to have at least 2 water sources and 2 food sources, so they don't feel like they have to fight over those. my rats, who grew up together, would still get into some nasty brawls until i added the extra food and water.

    good luck!

  8. #8
    God/dess Embyr's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Schlong Beach, Cauliflower
    Posts
    2,558
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 14 Times in 5 Posts

    Default Re: For the Rat-Experienced...

    ^^^ good to know, thank you!!!!


    yeah, i guess i was a little over-hopeful that I could do this right away and everyone could be best friends. I mean, come on... it's like putting a 14 yr old in with a pissy 28 yr old. and they're guys. with long teeth.

    http://ratguide.com/care/behavior/introducing_rats.php had some good info here...

    i will try another introduction in the BATHRoom.... very neutral ground. the newness of it will take away from the newness of each other, hopefully... adiran is way too used to running around my apt., putting a newb there is asking for trouble.

  9. #9
    zxcire
    Guest

    Default Re: For the Rat-Experienced...

    I used to have a male rat and I also got him a friend (another male) because I thought Ratty might be lonely living by himself. In the end, though, they lived in separate cages across the room from one another because I could NOT get them to stop fighting/stop Ratty from dominating and biting Stone Phillips.

    I've also heard that getting them neutered can help, and maybe your transition will go smoother than mine ever did. Good luck!

  10. #10
    God/dess Embyr's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Schlong Beach, Cauliflower
    Posts
    2,558
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 14 Times in 5 Posts

    Default Re: For the Rat-Experienced...

    ^^^... oh dear... yeah i was hoping to start saving on litter.

    no seriously... unless i stack the cages on top of each other my apt. is WAY too small to handle both rats..

    these dudes better work it out soon.

Similar Threads

  1. I have a RAT!
    By AkashaM in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 06-03-2009, 01:20 AM
  2. Omg We Have Rat(s)...
    By got2havespunk in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 22
    Last Post: 07-27-2008, 02:30 PM
  3. there's a rat in my house
    By jaizaine in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 64
    Last Post: 04-13-2008, 08:09 PM
  4. my chia-rat
    By kylie3183 in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 04-02-2007, 09:50 AM
  5. my chia-rat
    By kylie3183 in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-01-2007, 09:47 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •