I obviously don't want them to fight, but even if I get them from the same cage (all brothers and sisters) Im afraid that the one I already have will be territorial and kill the new one! Help please! Im trying to do the right thing and get him a friend since everyone is saying I should.
2007-11-24 01:57:45 · 10 answers · asked by Janessa 4 in Pets ➔ Rodents
BTW, I don't really want another unless its better for the one I have, I was going to give the one I have tons of attention so is it really that vital to get a second?
2007-11-24 02:07:29 · update #1
The sooner, the better. Especially if they were tankmates. Introduce with a few rounds of supervision. Increase the amount of time they have together until you feel comfortable that they won't harm each other. There will be some mock fighting between them.
I'd get two. Plans for attention don't always follow through as intended. Stuff comes up and before you know it you've gone two days without much of a glance toward the rat. When a rat is alone, it greatly increases their chances for respiratory infections because they aren't as active in the cage.
2007-11-24 08:13:05 · answer #1 · answered by bzzflygirl 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
To introduce your two rats, take them to a neutral territory, like the bathtub. That way they can figure out who is the alpha rat, without the factor of territory. And even if you get siblings, they still wil fight. I should know. I once bred a pair of rats and raised the baby rats. They fought like nothing else sometimes. But they would also cuddle up together when it was cold. Fighting for them isn't dangerous. My two rats had similar personalities, so both of them wanted to be alpha. But one would always prevail. Don't worry about fighting. And even if you are going to give a lot of attention to your rat, rats are social creatures. We once had 8 rats in a cage at one time (3 older rats and 5 younger). They loved it.
2007-11-24 04:44:23 · answer #2 · answered by Sahkah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are going to give the rat tons of attention, it will be okay without another rat.
If you do get another rat, now or later, they won't kill each other. Sometimes they will fight, but not that bad. Pet store rats are generally pretty mellow.
If you happen to get one that is aggressive, a third rat in the cage will usually solve the problem.
2007-11-24 16:53:29 · answer #3 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your rat would be much happier with a friend. Unless you have NO social life and are prepared to give your rat hours and hours of attention (something like 12 to 14 hours every day), you'd be better off getting a second rat. Two rats are really no more work than one, but they're twice the fun. Read up on pre-intro quarantine (which is ESSENTIAL if the new rat ISN'T from the same litter: the new rat might bring in something horrible which might kill BOTH rats, if it isn't quarantined) here: http://ratguide.com/health/basics/quarantine.php - quarantine needs to last a MONTH at a friend or relative's house. You have no real way of knowing if the pet shop has had a shipment of new babies (or a rat-owning customer whose rats might be sick) in the time between you getting your first rat and now, so I recommend quarantining regardless. Read up on proper intros here: http://ratguide.com/care/behavior/introducing_rats.php
2007-11-24 02:29:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I had a rat and she was fine by herself. As long as you give your rat alot of attention I think he will be fine. Don't get another one unless you really want to, or if you can't give yours attention every day. I think you'll be fine with one.
If you are getting another one though, you shouldn't introduce them in the cage. That way your first rat might get territorial. You should introduce them on the floor, where they won't get that way. If they are getting along like this you can leave them there for a couple hours and then maybe try in the cage.
2007-11-24 06:11:50 · answer #5 · answered by kaykay 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Get one from the same cage, and do the same gender unless you want even MORE rats. The other rat shouldn't get territorial. Try having two rats for about a week, if it doesn't work out just return the rat. There are many animal shelters/pet stores that allow that. If it does work out, then your other rat should be very happy!
Oh and one more thing, I just remembered.... my friend had two hamsters, and one ate the other's head.... but you are dealing with rats and if you feed them there shouldn't be a problem!
2007-11-24 03:31:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
if your going to get another one get it asap search on rat websites or get a rat book. If its only sort of a day or two your rat shouldn't be territorial as it's probably still quite nervous but if you think you can give it a lot of attention every day then maybe you really don't need another generally speaking thay are happier with a friend but the decision is really down to you
2007-11-24 03:32:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Rats need company. If you cannot devote your entire day to your new friend, they are going to need a companion to be happy. Rats are social animals, gaining much enjoyment and stimulation from each other's company. They live in large family groups in the wild, so in captivity they live a more natural life if kept in pairs or more. It has many more options than the single rat, who can only sleep, or sit and wait for human attention. Rats living in groups have more full and varied lives than any single rat. (http://www.nfrs.org/company.html)
That being said, it is not difficult to introduce another friend. This is especially easy if your first rat is young, but it is not impossible to introduce another to an older rat. Please only get another rat of the same sex for obvious reasons!
You can introduce them using your shower tub. Let them out and get to know one another for a few weeks twenty min or so at a time in the tub (as this is a neutral place where none has scented and claimed it as his own and a good place to keep an eye on them).
Start them out in separate cages, do not just put them together from the start. Once they get to know one another via the bathtub method, if you would like to house them together in one of the cages you currently have one in, the day you wish to do this, take the cage and clean it. Thoroughly clean it. You want none of the first rat's scent on any of the toys or in any of the areas of the cage. I suggest getting all new toys to make this easier on you, as some toys prove difficult to clean effectively.
Once you have placed them together, watch them like a hawk. Males are harder to place together than females are, but it can still be done. Let them play in the cage and if one starts to fight the other, let them fight for a little bit before tearing them apart. Sometimes they just want to claim dominance and it may just take one small fight. Of course this doesn't mean if they are hurting each other and drawing blood to let it continue. Use your discretion.
Please let me know if you need any help.
Good luck!
=)
2007-11-24 05:07:28 · answer #8 · answered by Yelliez 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Don't get another pet unless you really want one - not just because everyone tells you you should.
Socialize your rat with you first and then decide if you want a second. They can be territorial. One rat will do fine if you give it lots of activity and interaction with you.
2007-11-24 02:03:50 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Be careful. Dont get a guy and a gal. BAD NEWS. Baby house, USA. :)
It doesn't need another, as long as you give it affection. If its aggresive tward you, then dont get another. Can your cage support more than one? Make sure its large enough.
2007-11-24 03:14:55 · answer #10 · answered by theARTSlover003 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋