I'm having trouble introducing my rats.

[Lourice]

I rescued Maurice about a month or so ago, and Louis we rescued about a week ago. We aren't sure how old they are, but Maurice is for sure at least 2 or 3 months old, and Louis is much younger, I would guess about a month or a little more.

I've been keeping them in two separate cages beside one another, and yesterday (about 5 days after we got Louis) we put them together and they fought. We separated them, and Louis had a little nip on his leg that was bleeding. I put them back in their cages, and went back a step in the introduction.

I let them have their free range on my bed separately, and today when I got Maurice after it was Louis' turn, he was running around and making a strange revving noise which I googled and I found out was a 'growing anger' noise. I believe Maurice is hormonal, and judging by the size of his testicles, I am guessing that is the reason for his aggression towards Louis.

What else should I do? I want to keep trying the introduction face to face every few days, but I'm afraid of little Louis getting hurt. Is there any way to make this easier? Also, I really do not have the money to neuter Maurice so that is out of the question.

When/how do I know if the introduction is officially deemed 'unsuccessful'? how many times should I try introducing them before I should give up?

 

[victoria]

How did you introduce them? Was it in a neutral space or a cage or an area one or both is familiar with.

I have no idea what a growing anger noise is... can you describe it?

Can you take some pics of your boys? Other members may be able to help age them. It's unlikely a three month old rat is hormonal. If your younger male is younger than 10 weeks and the other older that you think, you should hold off introducing them for a few weeks. Pictures would be very helpful.

By no means should you consider an introduction a fail after one attempt. Frequently, it's a weeks long process. Here's a thread with lots of info and different approaches you can take to introduce rats: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=406

 

[Lourice]

How did you introduce them? Was it in a neutral space or a cage or an area one or both is familiar with.

I have no idea what a growing anger noise is... can you describe it?

Can you take some pics of your boys? Other members may be able to help age them. It's unlikely a three month old rat is hormonal. If your younger male is younger than 10 weeks and the other older that you think, you should hold off introducing them for a few weeks. Pictures would be very helpful.

By no means should you consider an introduction a fail after one attempt. Frequently, it's a weeks long process. Here's a thread with lots of info and different approaches you can take to introduce rats: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=406

I introduced them in a neutral area in a different room where neither of them had ever been before. and the noise is like a low 'vvvrrrrrrr' noise, kind of like a revving car engine. it was very low, i only heard it when he was on my shoulder near my ear.

I unfortunately do not have any recent pictures because my phone is getting repaired and that is my source of camera, haha.

Thanl you so much for that link. I think they are both stressed, so I will try introducing them in a scary bathtub.

 

[Lourice]

also i think he is hormonal due to the fact that he's very hyper all of a sudden, and his fur is oily as well as his skin being orange on his back.

 

[victoria]

The orange grease on his back is sebum or buck grease, intact males produce more of it and some more than others but it doesn't mean he's hormonal. His behaviour on the bed is territorial - he smells the 'intruder' in his territory... it's not a bad thing, he's getting used to the other boy's smell.

If he's that greasy, he's older than three months old. If the other boy is indeed 2 months old, he's too young to introduce to him and it's dangerous to try. You need to wait until both boys are at least 10 weeks old. Take it slowly for now, keep their cages close enough so they can smell each other, swap accessories, let them explore each others cages (without the resident rat present) so they get used to each others' smells. When yo restart intros, you may not have to jump to a scary intro but you do need to offer food and make sure it's an open area where neither rat can stake a claim to a spot and fight to protect it.

Pictures would help us give you a better idea how old they are, if yo can borrow a camera to take a few, that would be helpful.

 

[Lourice]

The orange grease on his back is sebum or buck grease, intact males produce more of it and some more than others but it doesn't mean he's hormonal. His behaviour on the bed is territorial - he smells the 'intruder' in his territory... it's not a bad thing, he's getting used to the other boy's smell.

If he's that greasy, he's older than three months old. If the other boy is indeed 2 months old, he's too young to introduce to him and it's dangerous to try. You need to wait until both boys are at least 10 weeks old. Take it slowly for now, keep their cages close enough so they can smell each other, swap accessories, let them explore each others cages (without the resident rat present) so they get used to each others' smells. When yo restart intros, you may not have to jump to a scary intro but you do need to offer food and make sure it's an open area where neither rat can stake a claim to a spot and fight to protect it.

Pictures would help us give you a better idea how old they are, if yo can borrow a camera to take a few, that would be helpful.

My only problem is that i'm currently keeping the young one in a small cage because i figured i wouldn't buy a new cage if my plan was to get them together soon. should i just buy a new cage?

 

[victoria]

It really depends on how young the second boy is and how small your cage is. Where do you live? There may be members/rescues in your area that can loan you a cage or sell you a cheap one. I think it's probably better to save the money you would spend on a second cage and put it towards future vet care or a neuter if one is necessary.

Just in case, how big if your bigger cage? Sometimes people are surprised to find out their big 'rat' cage isn't big enough for one...

 

[Lourice]

It really depends on how young the second boy is and how small your cage is. Where do you live? There may be members/rescues in your area that can loan you a cage or sell you a cheap one. I think it's probably better to save the money you would spend on a second cage and put it towards future vet care or a neuter if one is necessary.

Just in case, how big if your bigger cage? Sometimes people are surprised to find out their big 'rat' cage isn't big enough for one...

my big cage is huge. https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 6873_n.jpg

i live in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. how can i check to see if there are members or rescues in my area?