is this normal?

[Petunia]

My two girls have been home for a week now, and I thought by now they'd be out more wanting to play, but they are sleeping quite a bit

they run around for a few minutes, maybe ten at the most, then get back in a hammock to rest

is this normal? could it be age related, or because of all the changes (Tilly also just had surgery on Tuesday)

I expect Tilly will need to rest more, but Clair, who is 21 mos now, is sleeping an awful lot.

Tilly is 19 mos, and she is a bit more active but not as active as before they went away, for sure.

They used to be out for at least an hour to play and Tilly was always the last one to go back in the cage, she knew when play time was over and she'd run and hide!!

Just miss playing with my girls. but I don't want to stress them out if they need more sleep now to recover from all the upheaval in their lives

 

Rat's tend to slow down when they start reach the age for 24 months, also Tilly can still come out, but she needs to take it easy.

 

[Petunia]

ok well I'll try to be patient! I probably should be working on some projects while they are resting more than usual,
because once they get their energy back (assuming that they do) I will want to be playing with them as much as I can


I have started to think about what I will/should do when one of them passes on. I hate to even think about it, but I know I have to.

I don't want one girl to be all alone....but would it be better to introduce a new girl or neutered boy before there is one lone rat?

and if so, what's easier on them, a rat closer in age and the same gender or does it matter?

 

Closer in age would be a good idea, but gender don't atter, aslong as one is spayed or neutered

 

[mamarat]

I really enjoy a neutered male or two with a bunch of girls. It makes a perfect colony. I also have a spayed girl right now with 3 neutered males and they are so cute together.

 

[jorats]

I would agree with you, getting one now would be nice instead of waiting till one is alone. The grief might be less for them when there's two. I would definitely try a neutered male. I love couples.