new comer stressed to the point of not eating :(

[Vixxie]

Macey came to us this weekend from a family friend that is under going some big changes and felt that Macey would not get the attention she needs. So our friend figured the best place for Macey was to be in a big cage (once intros are done) with lost of rattie friends. Here is my problem now tho, Macey was a lone rat whom was lucky enough to spend alot of time with her "person". Now that she is in a new home she seems very stressed and I have yet to see her eat anything. Lots of yummy foods have been oftered but nothing. She seems very happy to be out with someone in the house but the minute she is placed in here new cage she seems to freak and hide. I've never had a rat seem this scared before even the feeders that we have taken in a one point wern't this bad. Even the double bunk hammock I have in for her seems to scare the daylights out of her. :emb:
But its the lack of eatting that scares me most. If anyone may have some tricks to help that would be great.

here is a pic of Macey with my son Zacky she doesn't seem as stressed here but like I said its the min she is in the cage.

 

[mamarat]

I would give her more time to adjust to your smells and noises. She looks happy on your son. Take the intros slowly at first. How many will she be intro'ed to? She will eat eventually. Did you try food given by your son when she's playing with him? What kind of food was she eating with her first owner? She sure is a pretty girl.

 

[jorats]

I agree with mamarat. You have to remember for her, she's lost her world so it's a very scary thing. How soon before you can start intros, I think that might very well help her.

 

[Vixxie]

She was on Kaytee Fiesta Mouse & Rat Food and the left over bag was sent with her so I mixed abit with her rat ration but noting. Maybe I will try the idea of Zacky feeding her some yogert out of the cage, she seems to really like him. I didn't want to do intro until she seemed more comfortable in the house but I may have to change that now. She is going to be introed two one fixed male (Boe) and his group of 7 girls. I was just worryed intros maybe to much added stress for her.
Maybe Ill do a small intro tonight with part of the crew but give her a bit more time before introing to my grumpy senior Abby (shes two now and getting very grumpy with everyone)

 

[ryelle]

she seems to like your son...

Is the cage the one that she lived in at your friends? or is it all new (nothing familiar to her)

I wonder if adding an old item of clothing of your sons in with her - like a sock - will maybe calm her down when shes on her own?

 

[Vixxie]

My friend had her in a tank (I know but there is a story behind that and I will not go into for personal reasons) so ya she is in a new cage ontop of everything else new.
But we did do a tub run this evening with one of Zackys blankets in the bottom of the tub. Things went great!! I alo found her weekness for treats!! roasted chicken bones!! It may have been the intros that calmed her down abit but she took that bone like it was gold! I hope this is the start of her opening up and i pray the great tub intros continue!!

 

[mamarat]

That sounds great. Maybe she just needs friends.