Got a rescue and she is not fitting in.

[belle_foudre]

I resently got a rat from craigslist, which turns out it needed to be rescued. There were about 6 female rats in a small aquarium setup. I didnt want to quarantine her cause she is alone. I checked her out her and she appears to be in good health(no sneezing no lumps). I introduced her to my rats, which could really have cared less about her. I cleaned the cage really well, and changed bedding and washed some hammks. I added her and she just kinda stays on the same level, almost like she is scared cuz there is so much space. She was not human socialized either, so she is freaked out by me. but the 3 rats get along great, no fighting, nipping, or squeeking. Just lots of grooming lol. She has not taken any food from me directly, but I have seen her eating, and I moved the water bottle close to her. Im not sure what else I can do to make her feel more comfy.

 

[lilspaz68]

Time, she needs to relax and realize that her world has changed for the better. I would say your little lady is fitting in just fine if she gets along with the others. She may be waiting for the "shoe to drop" and to be taken back to the bad place she was from.

How recent was this? It can take weeks and up to a month for some rats to relax their guard.

 

[CardboardCastles]

Give her time, its a lot of changes all at once. Patience is a virtue that pays off in the long run.

 

[belle_foudre]

I have to admitt this happened 2 days ago. My younger rat has been the welcome wagon, she likes to burrow under the new rat and sleep like that. Im just worried about the stress, and I have not seen her drink. She has sniffed the water bottle, but I have yet to see her drink anything

 

[SQ]

You may want to put in a water dish (in addition to your water bottles) as she may not know how to use a water bottle.

 

[jorats]

I agree with the other as well... give her more time.
CongRATS!!! on the rescue.

 

[belle_foudre]

Thank you. I have not noticed any signs of aggression so far, however Im not here all the time. Is there anything else I should look for? Like food stealing or force grooming? Are all squeaks bad, or just ones that sound really bad?

 

[mamarat]

How long have the girls been together?

 

[jorats]

Almost all squeaks are a form of protest. You will know the difference if one is from pain or fear, it's blood curdling.
Aggression is really not common so I wouldn't be watching for it but you'll know by how your rats act. If one is aggressive the other one will be very scared.

 

[belle_foudre]

The 2 orig rats Im for sure have been together for 10 months. The oldest of the trio (zoey) was kept alone for almost a year, so when the second(pheebie) came along Zoey remained pretty independent, and pheebie, has always been very needy since I got them and started showing them love. Now with the 3rd rat(adelle) pheebie is following her around and grooming her constantly.

 

[belle_foudre]

I have a update on Adelle, she has come out of her shell a little, she is very courious about me and my BF. Espesially when I start sweet talking and petting the girls. She still is not ok being held, and I dont make her. She will come to me and sniff and climb onto my hand, but the second I move she is gone. She has eaten and drank, but its hard for her to keep food. I have tried putting stashed food back so she knows where it is. I have even tried to take the big rats out when she is eatting. But she has lost a little bulk, and Im a little worried. I know she wont starve, but there are all sorts of other problems that can stem for poor diet. Is this something she will get over? im sure she had food taken from her where she was, but those rats were all the same size, and mine are quite a bit bigger than her. Im probably just being a nervious mommy, but it would be nice to have some reassuring lol.

 

[jorats]

Eventually she will hold her own. She's being very respectful by allowing the bigger rat to take her food. But I'm sure when she's hungry, she eats. Keep an eye on the situation. I bet soon enough though she'll be like the others and claiming her stake in the colony.
Keep in mind, some rats are made naturally small and don't eat much to begin with.

 

[belle_foudre]

Good to know, thanks for all the help