New baby rat curld up in the corner for hours

[syntaku]

I bought a baby rat earlier today. I tried to introduce him to my other rat (a couple months old) in the bathtub when I got home. They're both male and not neutered. The older one just ran up to the baby and bit him on the neck... I pushed him away.. he did it again. He did it about 3 or 4 times before I gave up. There was no blood drawn. They're now in separate cages positioned right next to each other. When I sat the baby's cage up he went straight to the corner and curled up. I went to work earlier (I was only there for 3 hours) and he was in the exact same position when I got home. None of the food I left him has been eaten. I tried giving him some yogurt drops, but he just stared at it. I'm scared something is wrong with him :c

 

[SQ]

Poor baby ... he likely needs to have one of his siblings with him.
Babies need another baby and being taken away from his family and then attacked must be terrifying
as well as being lonely and missing his family
How old is he?
Is he showing any signs of illness? What is his breathing like?
What is he used to eating? Are you feeding him the same thing?
Where did you buy him? A pet store?
It is important to quarantine new rats in a separate airspace for at least 30 days to ensure they are not ill, but too late for that now.

Make sure that the cages are kept far enough apart that they can not reach one another through the bars.

Is your other rat over 12 weeks old?
Of so you will have to do gradual intros after all rats are at least 8 weeks old.
http://www.ratshackforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32368

 

[syntaku]

Poor baby ... he likely needs to have one of his siblings with him.
Babies need another baby and being taken away from his family and then attacked must be terrifying
as well as being lonely and missing his family
How old is he?
Is he showing any signs of illness?
Where did you buy him? A pet store?
No ethical breeder would have allowed a baby to go by itself.
It is important to quarantine new rats in a separate airspace for at least 30 days to ensure they are not ill, but too late for that now.

Make sure that the cages are kept far enough apart that they can not reach one another through the bars.

Is your other rat over 12 weeks old?
Of so you will have to do gradual intros after all rats are over 8 weeks old.

Thank you so much for your reply. The other rat is 2 months I think... This is my first time ever having rats. I thought I'd just get some from the pet store... The woman at the pet store told me he was at the store for 1 or 2 months... I mean, it's obvious she just wanted me to stop asking questions. He was in a cage by himself so I'm pretty sure he'd been living alone for a week or so. I've only had him for 4 days. The baby was in a cage with another baby. They had just got new rats in today. Should I go back up there and get the other baby? Maybe they're related.. idk how that sort of thing works... Next time I get rats I'll go threw a breeder. I just thought that since it was my first time it would be alright going to the pet store.

 

[SQ]

Actually on here we encourage people to get rats from rescues or shelters But many of us got our first rats from pet stores
Congrats on your new pets!

If your older rat was at least 4 weeks old when he came to the store and if he was there two months, he would be 12 weeks old or more. If so, it would be dangerous to put him in with the baby until the baby is older and you would need to follow gradual intro steps. Pictures would help
Also, make sure you are using a water dish that can not be tipped over because babies frequently are not able to get water out of water bottles, although it looks like they are, because their tongues are not strong enough to move the ball bearing

You will want to absolutely make sure that the rats are all the same sex.
Pet store employees are known for giving the wrong info.
If the other baby is the same sex, and if you can afford to care for 3 rats, then the baby would likely feel more safe with the other baby in with him. Do you know if the babies are 4 weeks, 5 weeks or 6 weeks old?

(for example re what you can afford: A rat cage needs to have a base of at least 30 in by 18 in and height with levels.
A rat cage for 2 rats will need to be at least 4 cubic feet in size and a cage for 3 rats needs to be at least 6 cubic feet in size.)

More pictures of both babies would help re figuring out ages

 

[syntaku]

Actually on here we encourage people to get rats from rescues or shelters But many of us got our first rats from pet stores
Congrats on your new pets!

If your older rat was at least 4 weeks old when he came to the store and if he was there two months, he would be 12 weeks old or more. If so, it would be dangerous to put him in with the baby until the baby is older and you would need to follow gradual intro steps. Pictures would help
Also, make sure you are using a water dish that can not be tipped over because babies frequently are not able to get water out of water bottles, although it looks like they are, because their tongues are not strong enough to move the ball bearing
Edit: Idk why my photos are being uploaded upside down... Or maybe it's my phone.. Sorry for that

You will want to absolutely make sure that the rats are all the same sex.
Pet store employees are known for giving the wrong info.
If the other baby is the same sex, and if you can afford to care for 3 rats, then the baby would likely feel more safe with the other baby in with him. Do you know if the babies are 4 weeks, 5 weeks or 6 weeks old?

(for example re what you can afford: A rat cage needs to have a base of at least 30 in by 18 in and height with levels.
A rat cage for 2 rats will need to be at least 4 cubic feet in size and a cage for 3 rats needs to be at least 6 cubic feet in size.)

More pictures of both babies would help re figuring out ages

Yep they're both boys. I have no idea how old the little one is. I'll have to call the store in the morning for that. Though I'm sure they have no idea, as they usually seem to be confused about everything. I have two separate cages right now... Neither are 4 cubic feet. I'll have to order one online. The little one's cage doesn't have any platforms. I was gonna make some out of wood in a few days. Also thanks for the water information. I had no idea! I'm putting a dish in there right now. The first 3 photos are of the older rat. The last one is of the small one... it's hard to get pictures of the big one because he never stops moving lol.

 

[syntaku]

Just an update. I woke up this morning and he was dead... :c

 

[jorats]

I'm so sorry this happened. Many new rat moms and dads make that mistake. I highly recommend you find a rescue or shelter near you who can help match you up with another rat that might be closer in age. Or better yet, maybe they have a spayed female to match up with your boy. Your boy sounds like he's a little bit of a bully so I wouldn't do intros with any babies that are under 2 months old.

 

[syntaku]

I'm so sorry this happened. Many new rat moms and dads make that mistake. I highly recommend you find a rescue or shelter near you who can help match you up with another rat that might be closer in age. Or better yet, maybe they have a spayed female to match up with your boy. Your boy sounds like he's a little bit of a bully so I wouldn't do intros with any babies that are under 2 months old.

okay I'll make sure to look for a shelter that has rats. Thanks.

 

[SQ]

I am so very sorry that the baby died