Cage mates scared after Simon's death

[Godmother]

Emma, Evie, Zeta & Leto stayed away from the side of the cage where I'd found Simon gasping for breath. Finally, once the cage was cleaned, they returned to using the rest of the cage.

Bit they were still skittish in the play area. Finally this evening they started to get braver: climbing on me and going elsewhere than behind the cage. Poor sweeties. I don't know what they were thinking.

Anyone else had this experience?

 

[SQ]

No, but it makes sense ... he was gasping and distressed in that area, and then taken away, never to return ....

I'd be feeling frightened and skidish too ...
They will likely feel better with time.

 

[jorats]

I've seen videos where rats in the wild would take very wide detours to avoid the site of a dead rat. So it makes sense but it's never happened with mine unless I never really noticed it before.

 

[SQ]

Interesting ....
Simon was pts at the vet so a bit different as he was in extreme distress, taken away while alive .... and they never saw him again.

My rats stay away from me and want nothing to do with me for a day or so after I have one pts. But they know what happened to their friend/family member because I let them examine the body for a short time after death (for closure).

 

[dspch911]

Poor babies....hope they return to normal soon :hugs:

 

[Dahlas]

poor babies....I am sure it is very confusing for them.

 

[mamarat]

I know when Rusty died, no one would use his "house" for almost a month. And I had changed the box but it was still his area.