rattytat
Well-Known Member
I know this subject has been done to death, but I feel every situation is different. So, I'm asking for advice/opinions regarding my two resident male rats, Mike and Smudge (father/son combo - 8-9 months for Mike and 4 months for Smudge) and newly adopted sweetiepie, Stuart - guessing around 1 yr). Stuart arrived May 13th and he is in a cage adjacent to Mike and Smudge. Lots of interest and a little stress in the beginning, but they seem to have settled down. I have done the switching cages for the past three days and all was fine. In fact, one day after the switch, I put them back in their own cages and took Stuart out for some one on one. I had accidentally left the tops open on the cages. When I returned a short time later, i found that Smudge had escaped and returned to Stuart's cage where he had gone into his hut and fallen asleep!
Anyway, all three rats have lovely temperments - quite affectionate and laid back, - but Smudge has recently shown himself to be the dominant male ( a mild scuffle or two) in his relationship with Mike ( a couple of minor scuffles - nothing serious) Now, one of my questions is for the meeting on neutral territory, should I bring Stuart in first and then bring one or both of the others to join him - or vice versa - or perhaps just one on one to start (probably not, I'm guessing). Also, Stuart has been living alone with no playmates for the last 5-6 month, but I don't know about the period up to that point. He's very comfortable with people and does not seem scared or nervous with the boys presence next door to him.
I'm such a novice at all this -I had never even seen a rat up close prior to this Xmas and now I'm a slave to these remarkable , loveable furry creatures who inhabit my upstairs!
Anyway, all three rats have lovely temperments - quite affectionate and laid back, - but Smudge has recently shown himself to be the dominant male ( a mild scuffle or two) in his relationship with Mike ( a couple of minor scuffles - nothing serious) Now, one of my questions is for the meeting on neutral territory, should I bring Stuart in first and then bring one or both of the others to join him - or vice versa - or perhaps just one on one to start (probably not, I'm guessing). Also, Stuart has been living alone with no playmates for the last 5-6 month, but I don't know about the period up to that point. He's very comfortable with people and does not seem scared or nervous with the boys presence next door to him.
I'm such a novice at all this -I had never even seen a rat up close prior to this Xmas and now I'm a slave to these remarkable , loveable furry creatures who inhabit my upstairs!
