Introing -intact- Adult Males?

[RoSni]

It's been a long while since I was here.
Feel free to skip the long version/background info!

-
BB [previously Maddox] is my only remaining rat- and he's been a single pretty much all his life.

He was supposed to be introduced to Panzer and Posie, but Posie got sick and had to be put to sleep because of a spinal tumor.
After Posie passed, Panzer went downhill and would NOT accept BB. After a week of trying, he became ill and had to be medicated for a myriad of different health issues from inner ear infections to internal issues for the last few months of his life. He passed away not long afterwards.

Now, BB is the cuddliest, sweetest, lickiest, most playful cat-loving and calm rat I've ever had. Shows none of the ill effects of being alone that Panzer did. [and my God, did he drive the point home]

No chronic cage chewing, no nervous behavior, no manic running around outside of the cage, no screaming or resisting when I put him back in.

That being said, despite his amazing disposition, I know he could use a friend.

I'd waited so long to get him one because I wanted him to be my last rat for a long while. But I know he must be bored while I'm sleeping at night no matter how long I play with him during the day, and would be happier with a friend, so...

To kind of combat both issues, I've decided to consider getting him a friend. But an adult friend.
-

THIS is where I'm scared. I know no matter how sweet BB is, another adult male coming into his territory could change that up pretty fast.

And as I'd like to ADOPT an adult male [I actually contacted someone on Kijiji who has a single rat] it's not exactly like I can go to a pet shop and pick a boy with a certain personality.

Of course I'll get to know him during quarantine but, still.

Is this the right thing to do?
Would it be better to keep him single? [I'm expecting a unanimous NO! for that haha]

And if anyone can give me pointers or share their experiences of introducing INTACT adult males [good OR bad] it would be much appreciated.

 

[temblabamomo]

A lot of it simply depends on the rats.

It is certainly very possible to introduce two full-grown, intact manrats. There is a thread somewhere on intros, if you carefully follow those steps, and you are very patient, it can definitely work.

I encounter this situation often, as I only keep boys, and do not neuter unless I absolutely have to. There is a whole debate to be had on quarantine. I do not bother with it myself if the newcomer is a lone rat and has been alone for awhile. His time in his old home is basically his quarantine. And most people are not able to do a true quarantine. But like I said, there are differing opinions on the matter.

Because I don't bother with quarantine, unless there is some suspicion that the creature is ill with something contagious (which has never happened here so far), I usually do a brief intro almost immediately. I have had great luck introducing newcomers to new cage mates this way, because the newcomer is usually not so bold in their new home. It's like a one-sided scary place intro. Your rat is confident in his own environment, while the newcomer will not be and may easily submit. Obviously if your rat was overly dominant and bullying, I'd break it up. But in general, I like to do an intro very soon after the new rat is home. Sometimes, you have an instant match. In that case, great, but I would have a lot of sessions together before trusting them to live together. Sometimes they will get along initially, then realize they are boys and need to be hormonal and aggressive. Other times you have to slow it down and take it step by step, day by day. And sometimes, a neuter really is the only answer, but with lots of patience, it can be avoided.

But, it certainly can be done.

 

[hopefloats]

I would never let a rat stay alone. if you are concerned about male to male would a spayed female be an option?

If you do get a male, go slow. Put a post up in behavior and we will help. I would say most of my boys have been able to be introduced to other males some I had to remove testicles for that to happen so that is always a risk you take with boys.

 

[RoSni]

I would never let a rat stay alone. if you are concerned about male to male would a spayed female be an option?

If you do get a male, go slow. Put a post up in behavior and we will help. I would say most of my boys have been able to be introduced to other males some I had to remove testicles for that to happen so that is always a risk you take with boys.

I swore I DID post this in Behavior.

I am prepared to neuter a male if needed, but it turns out the single boy on Kijiji is only 4 months. That may still mean I'll have to neuter him when he starts getting more hormonal at six months.

My plans are changing up a bit- I don't know if I should post a new topic?

I'm considering getting him a baby or two even though the initial plan was to stop my 'rat adventures' with BB.

It's just much more likely he'd take to a baby rat than one his age.

 

[hopefloats]

it could be the opposite. I dont recommend one baby because they are hyper and can annoy the big boy lol If you start doing intros the start with day one in the thread and so on. This post is in the right place but I was saying when you start to do intros if you label it I know either Jo or myself will look at it. or both most likely LOL

Either way intros just have to be slow each male intro is different.

 

[temblabamomo]

Four months is still fairly young. As stated, every rat is different. I would go with adopting the 4 month old single boy if he is single at his current residence. I hate to see single rats anywhere.

 

[hopefloats]

lol some of my worst boys hit it at 4 months old LOL

 

[EDK]

Well when Gizmo lost his bro Techno who was about 1 month old, Gizmo was about 4months at the time. They quickly bonded by they were young at the time so I can't say how it would have gone as they got older. When I got Gyro and Nes, Gyro was about 4months, Nes was 3months. Rather then introing them I decided to risk them meeting day one, and Gizmo was overjoyed and accepted them, there was rough grooming from him but he never ever hurt the new guys. But now that they've been together for over 3 months and have grown together, Gyro and Nes are a little touchy, they are on their second strike, if a third one happends they have to get neutered. Boys will be boys with their parts all intact I realize, but I imagine the younger the male is the more easier it might be to intro them, but obviously not too young otherwise your big guy could hurt them. Personally I like the idea of you trying for a spayed girl, he might be even MORE thrilled if he has a girlfriend *giggles* Of course this is just my experience with my boys, what I did was risky and it lucked out because I trusted Gizmo enough, but even then it was risky. Always be careful and expect for everythign I guess is the only advice I have, either way I hope you get your little guy a new friend

 

[temblabamomo]

My recent addition Helo was actually about 4 months when I got him. I intro'd him to Wolfie, who is about a year? and much bigger and stronger, but also neutered. It took a lot of sessions but they have become inseparable. And Helo really was (is) a proper little terror. But it's worked out nicely.

 

[RoSni]

Four months is still fairly young. As stated, every rat is different. I would go with adopting the 4 month old single boy if he is single at his current residence. I hate to see single rats anywhere.

Good points! I emailed the woman again asking about personality and if he was/is living with other rats just for more information on him. I've always been so SO against single rats but losing Panzer and Posie was rough and I kind of decided to 'quit rats' after BB thinking it'd be too hard to go through it again. BB never lost a companion and I felt like I never WANTED him to. But better to have loved and lost then to have never loved at all, right?

lol some of my worst boys hit it at 4 months old LOL

OH, that's reassuring! :lol:

 

[EDK]

oh mine started their 'real' terror at 5months lol but i love them, they are my babies hehe.

 

[hopefloats]

It isnt meant to scare you but to show you how young they can start. Finley was a jerk at 10 weeks old. He was neutered asap LOL some boys never hit it but it can start early. 4 Months is when I see the most change I think that is more typical anymore.

 

[jorats]

Bringing home a new rat will always be a hit or miss. but with a miss, there are steps we can take to try and make it work.