Introducing new rats and How to keep comfort my rat in the meantime.

Question
Hi, My pet rat,Jimmy, has recently died after a lung infection due to mass breeding in the shop, and left my other rat, Timmy, all alone. I'm Just Wondering what i can do to keep Timmy comfortable whilst he is alone and what i should do when i want to introduce a six week old baby male rat. Both Timmy and Jimmy are 5/6 month old male Dumbo rats and are from the same shop, Pets at home.

Answer
Hi Chris

I am sorry you lost your Jimmy, he was too young to have such a bad infection. Sometimes even the most aggressive antibiotic treatments fail to help in some cases as I suspect was the case with your rat.

As for Timmy, he will need a new cagemate soon as possible because often the solo rat will become depressed and stressed. Stress can cause the immune system to weaken and he can also become ill which of course you do not want.  However, introducting a 6 week old rat to a 6 month old male is not really the best idea. Most males at Timmys are are nearing puberty and their testosterone levels are peaking.Chances he may be too rough with the new baby rat are very high unless Timmy was neutered.
I would suggest a rat more around 4 or 5 months old to introduce to Timmy after the new rat is quarantined for  3 weeks.   Once that is done, you can put the new rat and his cage next to Timmys cage and allow them to see and smell each other, but far enough apart that their tails and paws cannot reach each others cage.  Next, during play time, let Timmy go up to the new rats cage and when the new rat is out, allow him to mingle through the cage with Timmy. After a few days, hold one of the rats while letting the other loose.  Introductions should be done slowly when dealing with males at this age.

It should all work out in the end if you do it slowly. Some people tell me they just toss them together after quarantine and let them work it out. It works sometimes, and other times it turns into a blood bath, and we of course want to avoid that at all costs. There will be sniffing and even wrestling but there should be no biting and no blood shed.  

In my opinion, it is easier to have both males neutered and just be done with it!  :)


Hope this helps and good luck!