my girls are all sleeping a lot, are they depressed?

[Petunia]

I recently lost my two oldest girls Clair and Tilly.

They never lived with my four other girls, Clair wouldn't accept any other rats and even got stressed out being too close to them but they all stayed in the same room and could see/smell each other of course.

Now that the two older girls are gone, my four younger ones are sleeping a LOT.

do you think they are grieving, even though they never actually lived in the same cage with the old ladies?

I take them out for play time but even Cookie, who is normally a bundle of energy, just wants to cuddle with me.

is there anything I can do to make them feel better, and will *not* taking them out as much be a bad thing?

 

[mamarat]

I had 7 cages and only the rats in the same cage the buddy died, grieved. None of the others seemed to notice their passing.

I don't understand what you mean by not taking them out, do you mean no out time with you?

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

I have never had a rat in another cage grieve the loss of a rat they didn't live with. You should probably keep an eye out for other signs of illness to be on the safe side.

 

[Moon]

I think Petunia meant to say "is there anything I can do to make them feel better, and will *not* make taking them out as much be a bad thing?" though I could be wrong....

 

[jorats]

How old are the younger ones?

 

[Petunia]

two of the girls are around a year old, and then one is about 6 mos and the youngest one was born Nov 22, so she's um, a bit over 2 mos


I'm sorry, it's been a very rough week, what I meant is, I'm exhausted and depressed (and injured) and was wondering if not taking them out as much as usual might make them feel worse?
or do they just need to rest?
or are they depressed because I am?

actually all 3 of my cats are sleeping a lot, too, now that I think of it.

I guess it's probably got more to do with what's going on with me?

 

[jorats]

Yes... they are feeling your energy and the change in their usual out time could make them more depressed as well and sleep more.
But don't worry, they'll get over it. When you are ready they will bounce back with you. If you force yourself to take them out (don't injure yourself more though) you might find that they will help you overcome some of that depression.

 

[Willk24]

I've noticed the same thing with the passing of my girl (as well as other external factors that are bringing me down) earlier this week. Her cagemate has been sleeping loads, too. I find that getting her out more often and playing with her seems to help us both.

So sorry for your losses. Hang in there. :hugs: