Last Attempt?

[ClownCarOnFire]

Hello all. :mrgreen:

A while back I had made a thread...I think...about the troubles I was having with introducing my rats Leonard and Sheldon.
Leonard spent most of his life with me alone.
I had adopted him from the Humane Society and taken him home. He was the last rat left, sick and on meds.
I didn't know, at the time, that male rats could be housed together.

So after being told time and time again to get him a friend, I did, by buying one from Petco. [Which I am not proud of. Not gonna happen again.. Don't get me wrong, I love my Sheldon, but I'd rather rescue!]
Sheldon was very small, so I knew not to try intros until he'd gotten a bit bigger.
However when I did, they didn't get along. Leonard was being too mean, and even broke the skin a tiny bit on Sheldon's foot. I separated them immediately, and of course, felt awful. :sad3:

Basically, I am buying a CN cage. [Two story] and I was wondering, since they have been in the same room for months, is it ok to try one last time to introduce them? I'll do it by the books and use the CN as their new home with all new bedding, toys, hammocks and everything clean and new.

Leonard is the one who had the troubles accepting Sheldon, and neutering him is out of the question because he's over 2 years old and gets stressed out too much when brought outside. [Going to the vet]

I will do it by the books if you think I should try once more. Tub intros with yogurt or baby food for a week or two, then go on from there.

Here's before they actually met outside their cages : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOXLwC4_ErU

If it doesn't work though, I'll probably get a friend or two for Sheldon, I am pretty sure he'd be fine with other rats.

 

[mamarat]

You should not let rats meet through the bars. The little one is protecting his territory.

I had some intros that took a very long time. I would try again but in a neutral area to begin. Sounds like you have a good plan now. Good luck. Hope you keep us updated.

It is a good idea too to have a brand new cage when you finally put them together. Not too sure if you need a double CN for 2 rats unless you plan on adding to your colony. lol

 

[ClownCarOnFire]

You should not let rats meet through the bars. The little one is protecting his territory.

I had some intros that took a very long time. I would try again but in a neutral area to begin. Sounds like you have a good plan now. Good luck. Hope you keep us updated.

It is a good idea too to have a brand new cage when you finally put them together. Not too sure if you need a double CN for 2 rats unless you plan on adding to your colony. lol

Oh, I know, that video is from a while ago when I was still stupid about rats lol. I've learned a bit since then, thank goodness. :wink2:

As for the CN being unnecessary, it's cool. I have been saving up and I do plan on adding more Rats!
Plus in the future there are other animal's I'd like to rescue, including Chinchillas and more Ferrets, so I am thinking a CN is just a good idea for now and the future!

 

[jorats]

How old is the little guy?

A small cut on the leg is really nothing, you could have continued with intros. Or go back a few steps, start back to neutral.

I've had rats that were alone all their lives and after a bit of convincing clearly loved buddies. Just take it slow and by the book.
Like mamarat said, sounds like you have a good plan...stick to it, don't give up. If Leonard shows a bit of aggression, back off for a day but try again.

 

[ClownCarOnFire]

How old is the little guy?

A small cut on the leg is really nothing, you could have continued with intros. Or go back a few steps, start back to neutral.

I've had rats that were alone all their lives and after a bit of convincing clearly loved buddies. Just take it slow and by the book.
Like mamarat said, sounds like you have a good plan...stick to it, don't give up. If Leonard shows a bit of aggression, back off for a day but try again.

Well, I got Sheldon at the beginning of September 09. He was very small. I'm not exactly sure HOW old though.

I was a bit afraid of their scuffles so I backed off.
But I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will get along, because I think they'd be happier together. I feel like Sheldon probably will more-so, he was will like..3 other Rats when I got him.
I was always wanting to adopt a spayed female at some point, which I feel may be easier to introduce to them, is this true or just my wishful thinking? :giggle:

 

[Argent]

You probably would have been better introing Sheldon carefully while he was much younger and therefore not a threat. Sometimes male teenage hormones can get in the way of them making buddies - I introduced my two oldies at 8-9 months old, to my three (then) 8-10 week old bubs and there wasn't a peep. Yes they squabbled once they reached the terrible teens but nothing bad because they'd already bonded.
Girls are generally easier to intro and more accepting of other rats so I've heard, but there's nothing stopping these two learning to be friends It might just take a little longer because they're both older now.

 

[ClownCarOnFire]

You probably would have been better introing Sheldon carefully while he was much younger and therefore not a threat. Sometimes male teenage hormones can get in the way of them making buddies - I introduced my two oldies at 8-9 months old, to my three (then) 8-10 week old bubs and there wasn't a peep. Yes they squabbled once they reached the terrible teens but nothing bad because they'd already bonded.
Girls are generally easier to intro and more accepting of other rats so I've heard, but there's nothing stopping these two learning to be friends It might just take a little longer because they're both older now.

Well, I had their cages side by side [With enough room apart so that tails and feet would be in their others reach] for like a month or so.
I didn't wanna throw in a tiny baby with my big'ol Leonard, y'know?

I will try. Wish me luck!

 

[mamarat]

I have a spayed female with 3 neutered boys. It's a fun and beautiful colony. Cocotte is the alpha too. lol

 

[Argent]

I know the size difference looks scary, but from what I've read here about other people's intros, it's best done when the younger rat is too young to be a threat, therefore more acceptable to the older rat, and face-to-face in an unusual place where they will both be too wary and nervous of the location to even bother huffing at each other. It just seems to make it easier for them to spend enough time together to 'bond' without being too focused on one another, though the chasing, boxing and pinning will almost always have to happen at some point.
I hope you do manage to get these guys together so you can start a happy little colony - one cage is far better than two when it comes to cleaning!

 

[lilratsy43]

I know the size difference looks scary, but from what I've read here about other people's intros, it's best done when the younger rat is too young to be a threat, therefore more acceptable to the older rat, and face-to-face in an unusual place where they will both be too wary and nervous of the location to even bother huffing at each other.

This true, but you don't what them to be too young. 12 weeks is the suggested minimum age, so the little can defend itself if it needs to.


Clown, I think you may have stopped trying intros too soon. Little cuts here and there tend to be common with intros, especially with boys. You want to watch for large gashes, and the location of those gashes. I would keep doing intros on neutral ground until you think they will be fine together. Do not put them in the CN until you really think its going to work out, because this way neither of them will have a 'claim' on the CN.

 

[Moon]

I know that intros can be scary, but if you let it stress you out that wont make things better! Stay calm, and keep intros neutral until you're more confident.

 

[SQ]

Yes, di intros with the two boys.
Go slow, start on neutral territory, when that is fine do intros on nonneutral territory, when everything is good, then move them to the new cage.
Watch for signs of aggression and if someone has too many hormones you might consider a neuter (if that hasn't already been done).
Lots of people on here to ask if things get a bit frightening or you have questions.

 

[ClownCarOnFire]

I wish I was closer to some of you guys....things aren't going good at all.

Day 1 was a failure and I really don't think I will try anymore with Leonard in general. He's too old and seems VERY content by himself.

Sheldon i am planning to neuter and try again with another rat maybe...if not I dunno. 8<

 

[sketchi]

fill a bathtub with water and throw them both in! it works wonders. :cheeky: put in a small 'island', like a basket, which if they wanted to get on they'd have to crowd together. they'll be too scared to fight.

 

[ClownCarOnFire]

Nah, no more. Not with Leonard, anyway. He's old now and I don't want to put any unneeded stress on him.

 

[Argent]

Are you absolutely sure what you're seeing between them is actual aggression or just going through the motions of establishing themselves? It can look scary, but most people here tend to go by the rule no blood no foul. Unless there is serious bloodshed, the intro can still go on. And it's not always going to look like things are going well, but they might just be still sorting things out amongst themselves so early on.

 

[sketchi]

yeah, I went through the same thing as you. when I first started into-ing milky to my other two, I was so scared my heart would practically stop every time they had a scuffle. at the slightest sign of blood (looking back now, they weren't as major as I thought they were--no stitches needed or anything), I would be like 'ok, no more, that's it, can't handle anyone getting hurt'. luckily people on this forum urged me on despite my fears, and so far the rats really are making progress!

I tried to rationalize that it was better for the rats not to go through all that trauma, but I think it's really us people who are scared of all the fuss. :wink: I know it can seem scary, but it's really not so bad once you get into a routine every day!

 

[ClownCarOnFire]

Sorry guys, I am not doing this anymore with them. There WAS serious bloodshed. It happened within a couple of seconds but the tub had a lot of blood. Not just like a drop, but a lot. I should have taken a picture.

Sorry guys, but it's not impossible for rats to like being alone. Leonard gets spoiled by everyone and so does Sheldon. But separated, and they're happy that way.
Leonard's too old and I don't want to continue this with him.
I don't want him dying of fear or injury because I was trying to force another rat upon him.

 

[Joanne]

Ah well, you've gotta do what you've gotta do... There's no point in causing pain and injury if they can't work it out.

 

[ClownCarOnFire]

Ah well, you've gotta do what you've gotta do... There's no point in causing pain and injury if they can't work it out.

Agreed. Thank you.
I especially don't see the point when Leonard is happy and spoiled. He's not craving attention from other rats.

Sheldon I want to neuter at some point and try again. He's still young.