1 rattie left - suggestions needed

[RatsRGods]

As some of you may have read, my rattie, Wheeza Whizzle passed away today.

Now I only have one rat left, Mr. Ennis Levi.

I know rats need company. But I dont have the money or the time to get new ratties right now.
Plus, I'll admit I am a little afraid of the "intergrating" process of bringing a new rat in to meet my older rat (I had a bad experience with that a few years ago).

So, my question is-
I want to spend as much time with Ennis as I can but I do work 8 hrs a day. How many hours would you suggest I spend with him a day to keep him happy? And are there any signs I should watch for that he is depressed or going crazy without a companion?

 

[mamarat]

Rats can grieve for their buddies. They might become very quiet, sleep more and even stop eating. Good luck with your sweetie.

 

[jorats]

I would say as many hours as you can spare. Even if it's just to open the cage door and pet him. Put a stuffed toy in the cage, he might find it comfy to curl up with. I would also try to have him out on me, with me for at least two hours a day with lots of extra cage interactions.
How old is your sweetie?

 

[RatsRGods]

Ennis is 1 year and 9 month old.

I'm going to try and shoot for 2 hrs a day. He really likes to sit with me while I'm on the computer.

 

[SQ]

I have read a min of 4 hours a day ...
Perhaps he can hang out with you when you are doing various things in your place.

 

[Moon]

If he likes to hang out with you while you're on the computer, he probably will be just fine shoulder riding while you do dishes, fold laundry, etc etc.

If I were you, I would be bringing him out while you do anything that wouldn't be dangerous for him to be there for. Maybe consider a bag or drawstring pouch so he has somewhere safe to sit, while with you, and he can't slip off your shoulder while doing more active things?

 

[MumsyRat]

Hopefully, you can keep his cage in your main living area so he's in the middle of the action. He can watch and hear what's going on, and even if they don't have time to pick him up people can still stop by to chat him up a bit and maybe give him some quick scritches. You don't want him to be "out of sight, out of mind".

 

[minnow]

Watch to see that he's still bruxing and eating properly. Toby was pretty stoic about things when he was a lone rat after Penny died - but he stopped bruxing and his lower incisors grew long enough to keep him from eating and cause an abscess.

My sincerest condolences about Wheeza. He was clearly well loved and will meet you at the Bridge.

 

[jennifervb]

I would strongly urge you to get little Ennis a buddy when you get the chance!

With an 8 hour workday; it will be hard to spend 4+ hours with him and unless he really seems to enjoy bachelorhood; he will suffer.

Here is a link to Petfinder.com

http://www.petfinder.com/search/search. ... land%2C+OH

I hope some little, needy, fuzzball catches your eye!!!

From what I understand; baby or young rats are easier to introduce to older rats. Maybe if you can consider getting 2 young ones... you will then have a hopefully merry rat household where Ennis can enjoy himself. :love6:

 

[RatsRGods]

I looked at the Petfinder link (thanks!) and a couple of boys do catch my eye!

The only problem is, I am really nervous about integrating them with Ennis.

When Ennis and his buddies were babies, I tried to do that with my older rat, Toupe, (he was a hairless) and he turned out to be very aggressive towards them and tried to attack them and scared the crap out of them!
Toupe's normal demeanor was not like that at all, but once I brought the babies around he got all puffed up and started to secrete some kid of oil on his skin. I tried about 3 times with them.
Toupe started to get aggressive with me and I got bit (bad!). I've never been bit before or since by any of my rats. And if you've ever had a rat bite, you know how painful it is.

So that is my story. If anyone has any suggestions or stories about what to do and how to integrate babies with Ennis, I am open to hearing them.

 

[Moon]

It can also depend on how young your babies were when trying to introduce them to Toupe. If they are too young they may not have been recognized as other rats. And, sometimes intros can take some time before being successful.
I was terrified when I did my first intros... it took a few weeks but my girls are so happy now, I hate to think of if I had just left Emma alone and tried to give her all that one on one time by myself. So don't let the fear of intros get you down! Everyone here is willing to support you and give you ideas if things are not going as planned.

 

[RatsRGods]

Okay, I talked with my mom about getting some baby ratties.
I submitted an adoption form for 2 ratties named Mickey & Sammy on Petfinder.
They are about 3 months old. I will let you know what happens!

 

[jennifervb]

I looked at the Petfinder link (thanks!) and a couple of boys do catch my eye!

The only problem is, I am really nervous about integrating them with Ennis.

When Ennis and his buddies were babies, I tried to do that with my older rat, Toupe, (he was a hairless) and he turned out to be very aggressive towards them and tried to attack them and scared the crap out of them!
Toupe's normal demeanor was not like that at all, but once I brought the babies around he got all puffed up and started to secrete some kid of oil on his skin. I tried about 3 times with them.
Toupe started to get aggressive with me and I got bit (bad!). I've never been bit before or since by any of my rats. And if you've ever had a rat bite, you know how painful it is.

So that is my story. If anyone has any suggestions or stories about what to do and how to integrate babies with Ennis, I am open to hearing them.

Don't let intros scare you. They are nerve wracking for all involved... including the rats!!!

Intros between Ben and Basil were also trying. It took 3 days of 3-4 intros a day, in the bathtub, before Ben stopped puffing himself up... walking sideways...swinging his hips and hissing.

Always be ready with a bath towel to grab the newlings out! Do not attempt to grab the "resident rat". Toupe was on an adrenaline high. He didn't know who he was biting and I'm sure the poor, little, man was distraught when he figured out that he had bitten mom.

As far as the age thing goes. Ben is definitely younger than Basil and Ben was the aggressor. Age is less important. What is important to remember is that a rat's natural instincts will lead it to defend his/her territory. Hierarchy has to be established before any friendships and acceptance can begin.

On the second, hair-raising, day of intros; I put Ben and Basil on my lap and stroked, cuddled and kissed them both. This shows Ben that the "lead rat (me)" has accepted Basil as a family member and it helped him to accept Basil.

You will be fine! Patience, perseverance and loving attention to ALL parties will help heal any fears that the resident rat may feel. Remember that Ennis will try protecting his (and your) home from the enemy. He needs to feel that you accept and love him for doing so while being shown that the newbies are friends.

Whatever you do; do not reprimand Ennis for any aggression. His home and his relationship with you are things he will protect with whatever means he has. Just pull the new babies out of the bathtub when you see any aggression from Ennis and let Ennis calm himself.

Here is Debbie D's link to introductions. These are what I followed when introducing Ben and Basil.

Holler if you need help! You have a ton of highly knowledgeable rat specialists on this site who will be able to give you even more insight than I can. :love6:

http://ratfanclub.org/newrat.html

BTW... I took a look at your prospective babies... I would have grabbed them too!!!!

 

[jorats]

Awww!! I sure do hope you get them and we can work with you with intros. I've done lots of intros and have always been successful.

 

[Fidget]

I don't know what to tell you except I have the highest hopes that Ennis is happy to see some company and welcomes them and they have the proper respect for him.
I've gone thru hoops & hell trying to do all the right things in some intros -and in one before I even attempted an intro I fell asleep and woke to find the new girl slipped thru the cage bars and was in with the others and everyone was acting like they'd always been together. Go figure. Luck of the draw I guess, I hope Lady Luck is on your side & Ennis' too!

 

[RatsRGods]

I got a call back from the foster mom of the baby rats right away!
And....

I'm gonna get them next Saturday!
Wow, that happened so fast, didnt it?

I cant imagine leaving my poor boy alone all day.
And on a selfish note, it would be too much to expect myself to spend four hours a day with him after work. It really wouldnt be fair to either of us.

So, please be aware that I might be frazzled & writing some panicky posts soon. I apologize in advance. :wink:

(I promise to read up on introductions as much as I can before Saturday, but please feel free to give as much advice as you like!)


I wish I could express how grateful I am to have you all to talk to and to have found this forum. It is really awesome here. I have found great comfort in all your kind words and advice.

Ennis would like me to tell you "Thanks", but he is busy sitting on my lap & treating himself to a midnight snack of popcorn.

 

[Godmother]

I am so happy for you (and for Ennis) that you are getting two new friends! By then he will be ready to think about making new friends, and the fun of the new ratties may help ease your sorrow.

Looking forward to seeing them.

 

[user 78]

I'm so glad you decided to get the babies! Ennis will appreciate it, I'm sure.

Just make sure to read up on intros, and keep things slow and steady as you need to. The kiddos don't have to go in with Ennis immediately. And you also have a whole forum of support at your disposal! I've been through a couple of stressful intros, even one where I couldn't even touch one of the rats involved, which was very nerve wracking. I think we've all been there atleast once. I use chocolate, and lots of it, to stay sane in those cases. :wink:

It sounds like your previous boy, Toupe, had some hormonal issues all on his own. The smell of the little guys got him all hyped up, and especially if you had touched the young ones and then went to Toupe, it would have set him off. A neuter would have fixed that in most cases. Some males are just territorial and you'll never know until something drastic changes. It's easily fixed once you can pinpoint the problem, though!

 

[jorats]

Like java mentioned, slow and steady...that is key especially when you are nervous.

Key things to keep in mind:

1. very very neutral ground, where Ennis has never been before, a bathtub withing water is a good place.
2. have mushy food in a bowl like yogurt or baby cereal.
3. no toys! especially those that belong to Ennis.
4. have a towel handy so you can throw it on Ennis to grab him away from a rat if he tries to viciously attack. But... keep in mind, boxing, rubbing, flipping is normal behaviour and Ennis should be allowed to do this to the babies. He's teaching them.

We are here for you!!!

 

[mamarat]

Congrats on the babies. I know it's scary but so exciting! Can't wait for pics.