Introductions
- Thread starter 16kacha
- Start date
Help Support The Rat Shack Forum:
ViciousCurse
Well-Known Member
Ratubers on Youtube such Shadow the Rat have tried this. I don't know if the Rat Guru has covered it at all.
I use the neutral territory method, but I have pretty laid back male rats, who are all not neutered. But after quarantine, I'll put the new rats closest to the others rats (not close enough that tails or feet can be bitten) but enough that they can smell and see each other. I'll even bring poo from the new rats into the old rats' cage and vice versa. I've switched fleece between the two cages. Anything that has the other rats' scents has helped me immensely.
My last introduction ended in about ten minutes simply because everyone got into a huge rat pile and fell asleep, including the new rats. But, again, I've got really laid back, chill rats.
I've heard introducing them in bath tubs where there is about a couple of inches of water. Allegedly, rats will be more concerned about the water than the new rats, but I've never tried it. I haven't tried the carrier method because I've got such big boys, I don't know that they'd fit. People have used the vanilla method (put a drop of vanilla on every rat), but I haven't tried that either.
I use the neutral territory method, but I have pretty laid back male rats, who are all not neutered. But after quarantine, I'll put the new rats closest to the others rats (not close enough that tails or feet can be bitten) but enough that they can smell and see each other. I'll even bring poo from the new rats into the old rats' cage and vice versa. I've switched fleece between the two cages. Anything that has the other rats' scents has helped me immensely.
My last introduction ended in about ten minutes simply because everyone got into a huge rat pile and fell asleep, including the new rats. But, again, I've got really laid back, chill rats.
I've heard introducing them in bath tubs where there is about a couple of inches of water. Allegedly, rats will be more concerned about the water than the new rats, but I've never tried it. I haven't tried the carrier method because I've got such big boys, I don't know that they'd fit. People have used the vanilla method (put a drop of vanilla on every rat), but I haven't tried that either.
SQ
Senior Member - Vegan for the animals
The best and safest methods are neutral territory intros
Forcing rats into a small space is not the way rats normally deal with meeting new rats and can cause rats to fight and become injured because they do not have an escape option
For information see: joinrats.com and the Reference Thread https://www.ratshackforum.com/threads/reference-thread-read-only.35894/
Forcing rats into a small space is not the way rats normally deal with meeting new rats and can cause rats to fight and become injured because they do not have an escape option
For information see: joinrats.com and the Reference Thread https://www.ratshackforum.com/threads/reference-thread-read-only.35894/
Last edited:
L
Londoncalling
Guest
The duration depends on the rat's temperament. For an extreme case involving sibling rivalry between two teen bucks, we resorted to putting them in an empty bathtub for 1 hour every day for about 2 weeks. Initially their playtime went beyond typical rough housing to full on blood sport. Anyway we'd tried many of the above methods including a carrier and vanilla rubs but to no avail. A bathtub and a load of patience did the trick. Just different strokes for different rats. xxx
ViciousCurse
Well-Known Member
As SQ said, I would have been worried about space, which is why I've avoided the carrier method.
Bath tubs would be my method simply because it's a large space and you can quickly intervene. I don't ever recommend sticking your hand in between fighting rats because it HURTS when they mistakenly bite you. Have a towel on hand and just patience. I sometimes chuck treats in there too, but only a few rats will ever pick at the treats and those are the ones who don't care if there's a new rat. Another suggestion for separating rats is to use a spray bottle with water. People will also say to dump water on fighting rats, but I'd be worried about them inhaling the water/it getting in their ears or something.
If you're continually having issues and it isn't getting any better, I'd recommend spaying or neutering the more aggressive rat. I know neutering can make a difference, but I'm not entirely sure on whether or not a spayed rat will calm down.
I've never tried to vanilla method simply because I believe rats don't rely just on scents to identify each other. I believe they somehow recognize each other beyond scent, whether it be the markings, mannerisms, etc. of each rat.
Bath tubs would be my method simply because it's a large space and you can quickly intervene. I don't ever recommend sticking your hand in between fighting rats because it HURTS when they mistakenly bite you. Have a towel on hand and just patience. I sometimes chuck treats in there too, but only a few rats will ever pick at the treats and those are the ones who don't care if there's a new rat. Another suggestion for separating rats is to use a spray bottle with water. People will also say to dump water on fighting rats, but I'd be worried about them inhaling the water/it getting in their ears or something.
If you're continually having issues and it isn't getting any better, I'd recommend spaying or neutering the more aggressive rat. I know neutering can make a difference, but I'm not entirely sure on whether or not a spayed rat will calm down.
I've never tried to vanilla method simply because I believe rats don't rely just on scents to identify each other. I believe they somehow recognize each other beyond scent, whether it be the markings, mannerisms, etc. of each rat.
SQ
Senior Member - Vegan for the animals
Using the bathtub, as detailed in one of the links I provided, is a neutral area intro
and I see that it is being recommended by several people
Please read the two links I provided above instead of dismissing what I said because you tried something with the same name. I have no idea what you tried or the procedure etc that you used
Joinrats.com provides ideas and detailed info
This link gives information about the established gtradual intro steps that have been used by rat owners successfully for decades https://www.ratshackforum.com/threads/introducing-new-rats.34842/#post-491257
and I see that it is being recommended by several people
Please read the two links I provided above instead of dismissing what I said because you tried something with the same name. I have no idea what you tried or the procedure etc that you used
Joinrats.com provides ideas and detailed info
This link gives information about the established gtradual intro steps that have been used by rat owners successfully for decades https://www.ratshackforum.com/threads/introducing-new-rats.34842/#post-491257
Oh goodness your profile pic is adorable! I'm a softie for dumbo rats! I have tried a few ways. Put their cages close enough that they can see and smell each other. Put fleece on each cage, let them mark it, then switch the fleece to the other cages. Clean both cages really well, then let them spend a couple of days in their own cages, then switch them into each other's cages. Let that stew for a day or two, and switch back. Let them out in their play area for a few mins at a time. I have even smeared baby food on backs, so they worry about grooming it off themselves, and each other. When I introed my girls, to a girl I rescued, Mac avoided her,and créme power groomed her. But Eva wasn't a dominate rat. When she went to max, and Mac would get defensive, Eva would immediately fall to her side. I had a boy, pepper who would beat up any rat I put him with. When I put him with cookie, cookie would scream and try to climb up my shoulder and hide. It took a couple of weeks to get cookie to go near pepper. But once I did, they were inseparable, and I even put brothers taco, and brother in with them and they immediately took to them. How old are the rats you're trying to intro? Girls, or boys?
SQ
Senior Member - Vegan for the animals
I feel like youre coming off a bit rude, and theres no need for that. You have no idea if I read that article or not, so dont assume that I didnt.I wasnt dismissing anything either, I was waiting for others to put their experiences not only yours.
I apologize for sounding rude.
Both of the links I provided include everything others have said, and both of the links give time tested information that thousands of people have found to be useful.
All physical rat intros must start in a neutral area, unless all rats are under 12 weeks old.
I hope you do read the links I provided because they contain a great deal of important and useful information
Last edited:
Thank you! His name is Jax. I was trying to intro boys amd theyre all different ages oldest is 2.6 months and thr youngest is a year.
Ive started introductions about 5 days ago, i did it every day for 20 minutes. it was going well until Finn decided to give Chester a lil teeth scrape while pretending to clean him. At first i though it was an accident but he did it again. It looks like a small cat scratch and it wasnt bleeding super bad. Finn does well with Elwin and Norman so what would I do in this situation? Keep trying?
maddiescoobs
Member
I’m not super experienced with introductions but if I were you I would keep going with the introductions as long as they aren’t full out fighting and there’s no real damage being done. Sometimes they just take a little while to work out the pecking order
