Grieving

[MissGuardian]

How do you know if rats are grieving from losing a cage mate?
How long does that usually go on?
Is there any way to help them?
I´ve noticed my remaining two are way calmer than they usually are..
They don´t want to be out of the cage as long during free time, but they seem to enjoy being on me more than they have before..
Stefan(Edward´s brother) went right to sleep in my lap yesterday.. Usually he prefers sleeping behind my back or beside me..
Nirvana is usually a duracell bunny with unlimited extra batteries.. She is WAY calmer than she usually are..

I´m planning on getting them a new buddy somewhere around May if my calculations are correct..

 

[PitLuvs]

I noticed Sam and Dean were so so lost when Stewart left us, and they were very upset with me. I couldn't take them out for playtime, Joe had to (since I was the last one to have Stewart and didn't put him back). I found they were depressed, so I showered them with toys and treats and slowly gained their trust back. Eventually they did like me again, and then I worked on paying them more attention. Stewarts been gone since Jan, but I am only noticing that they are better now. Sam and Dean are comfortable now, but it took some time.

 

[MissGuardian]

I noticed Sam and Dean were so so lost when Stewart left us, and they were very upset with me. I couldn't take them out for playtime, Joe had to (since I was the last one to have Stewart and didn't put him back). I found they were depressed, so I showered them with toys and treats and slowly gained their trust back. Eventually they did like me again, and then I worked on paying them more attention. Stewarts been gone since Jan, but I am only noticing that they are better now. Sam and Dean are comfortable now, but it took some time.

Thanks for the answer.
I noticed a bit when Zitka was pts(the one the boys were introed to)..
The first time I was to take Stefan out of the cage without Edward, Edward tried to lay on top of Stefan so I couldn´t take him away too
But that changed after I brought him back the first time tho..

 

[mamarat]

The rats can also feel your grief. It could be why they are staying more with you, to comfort you.

 

[MissGuardian]

The rats can also feel your grief. It could be why they are staying more with you, to comfort you.

Maybe.. They haven´t before tho..
At least they are eating more today..

 

[jorats]

Rats can grieve in so many ways, the change in behaviour would be indicative of their grief or like mamarat mentioned, if they are feeling it off of you as well.
Adding a buddy might very well help them. It can last quite some time. You could try changing their routines, giving an extra treat at a different time of day. Doing something with them that they aren't used too... give them extra mental and physical stimulation.

 

[MissGuardian]

Rats can grieve in so many ways, the change in behaviour would be indicative of their grief or like mamarat mentioned, if they are feeling it off of you as well.
Adding a buddy might very well help them. It can last quite some time. You could try changing their routines, giving an extra treat at a different time of day. Doing something with them that they aren't used too... give them extra mental and physical stimulation.

I will try that.
I will add a buddy when he´s born, but that might be a while.. Until then, I´ll spend as much time with them as I can