Emergency!

Question
Hi, I have two rats. We bought them both at separate times and even though they play fought a little at first, they took to eachother well and now they snuggle and are very happy together. Just yesterday we bought a new 7 week old. We tried introducing them and at first they both just sniffed her and then ignored her and continued to explore as normal. Then one of them, Duckie, attacked her and bit her and the baby let out a big squeal. There was no blood. We put Duck back in her cage and the other rat and the baby left eachother alone with occaisional sniffing. We tried to introduce Duckie to the baby again, this time holding on to her so nothing would happen but whenever the baby came near she tried to bite her again.
Right now the baby is in her own cage with plenty of aspen bedding, fresh water and food and clean toys with a house to hide in and we but the two cages together, however, not close enought that they can touch. I'm terrified to attempt introducing them again because I fear Duck will attack her and she'll get killed. The baby doesn't seem stressed. We out our hand in the cage and she quickly comes onto our hand wanting to be let out. I don't want her to have to sleep all by herself for too much longer and have nobody to play with so I want to try again. Any advice? Thank you

Answer
Hi Erin


First of all, the new rat should not even be anywhere near your existing rats.  Due to the spread of the two serious viruses that are found in pet store rats, SDA and SENDAI viruses, new rats should be quarantined for up to 3 weeks in a totally different room and air space than your existing rats. No matter how healthy the baby rat looks you have no idea what is incubating in her body. Chances are, nothing, but depending on what she has been exposed to, its not worth risking it.  


Please read up on proper quarantine.

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/thequarantinepage.htm

It is too late now since they were together and you have also spread any germs by not following proper procedure that you will learn about in the article, but next time you bring any new rats in you will know.  I dont blame most rat owners because unless they really do alot of research on rat care chances are the pet store will never ever tell you about it. If you buy them from a good breeder, that is who will tell you and in fact they ask you to sign a form that you will agree to quarantine measures. That said, I am sure all will be ok but just so you know now.

Next, the baby girl rat. From now on, never put a new rat with any existing rats without first bringing the cage in and letting them know there is a new rat in the room. They should not have direct contact with the new rat (after quarantine that is) for at least a good 5 to 7 days. This way they will start to get used to her scent and accept that she exists.  After that, introductions start with you holding the new rat and allowing the existing rats to take turns meeting her while you restrain them. THis should be done a few times a day for a few days. Next, you should allow the new rat to explore the other rats cage and put the older rats in her cage. They will spend alot of time sniffing and marking her cage and vice versa.  Once you put the old rats in their cage they will have her scent and they will know that she was there.  Meanwhile her cage will still sit next to theirs but of course out of reach like you have it, so tails cant get in or they cannot reach to each other.
This all takes time.  It should be done over a period of at least 10 full days or so before really letting them down on the floor together. Another idea during intros is to allow them to share something yummy together.  Take a dish and smear whipped cream or grape jam or yogurt or even baby food all over the dish and let the rats all lick it together.  This bonds them in a way that we dont understand. They forget their troubles during feeding time and they tend to bond. I have had many readers write in with this idea saying it really works.

For now, do not let the baby around the other girls but do let them smell the cage etc..during play time and in a few days, switch cages for a few minutes and let them mark each others cages. Rats mark with urine (even girls) for many reasons.  A rat can tell the sex, if the rat is in heat, the age of the rat etc...just by smelling their urine. Also, rats mark with their urine so they can pick up their own scent and use it as a trail back to their own nest. Their vision is terrible and they rely more on their sense of smell and sound rather than vision.  A rat will never get lost in the woods as long as he can pick up his own urine trail and follow it back home.

Again, here is the URL to my site on quarantine.

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/thequarantinepage.htm

I forgot to ask, do you have a play area for them? If not, check out GETTING STARTED on my site for ideas on how to construct a play pen out of cardboard to make a really nice and safe play area for them.

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/gettingstarted.htm

It will work out in the end..it just takes some time and it makes us so nervous wanting the best for our rats, but it will work out. Hang in there!