Ohmu wont come down! haha he is now the boss!!

[Ewa]

I was wondering if anyone had any advice for me on this topic , I am unsure about what to do. I got a new male rat , about 12 weeks old , naked , I named him Ohmu ( pronounced OH - M) He was easily introed to the boys cage and the three have gotten along just fine. The only thing that concerns me is that Ohmu wont come down from the top level of the cage. He isn't getting any exercise up there , he wont go looking for food or water , and if Brian or Bron go on "his" level , he nibbles there bums till they leave. Brian and Bron just usually ignore him now , there is no aggression at all , but hardly any contact either. SO I was wondering , do you think I should remove Ohmu from the boys cage and put him in a new cage and get him a new friend more close to his age ? Should I get him a naked friend or one with hair? Should I just leave him up there and wait to see what happens? I'm not sure what the best solution would be ....

 

[Chevalrose]

I've noticed that sometimes when I intro new boys for the first few weeks there is a territory thing. The older boys used to hate when the younger ones went to the top of the cage, but they went down to the bottom. Eventually once they all got used to each other everyone went everywhere.

It might be beneficial to get a little buddy for him his own age. They might bond well and prevent any loneliness if the others decide to "haze" them. It probably doesn't matter if it were haired or not.

 

[jorats]

I remember having this exact conversation with my dad and his rats. He was convinced that one of his guys was not leaving the top of the cage and must be starving himself. No... rats won't starve themselves, that rat at some point is going to eat and drink, you just don't see it. Sure enough my dad's rat came out of his sulking and finally integrated well and plays with them now.
Stand firm... don't let him get to you. He will be assimilated.lol

 

[Ewa]

Oh thank you! I feel much better now , I was so worried about him but I think I will just wait it out ... he will make friends!! Also , another question , all of my rats do not poop when you hold them , except Ohmu , whenever I hold him he poops all over me , how do I get him to stop that? All the other rats just never did it ....

 

[Rachael]

He is probably just nervous, one on one time and love will change that hopefully. But my girl Nora is 2 in a few months and has always did that lol. It's just turned into a joke here really, I have to hold her out and run with her to the playroom toilet.... she just isn't too keen on handling.

As for Ohmu not coming down.... I hope he does soon. When we introduced Spencer to 3 baby boys, they all hid at the top, him bottom. No contact. It was just like 2 separate cages. So we took him back out again, it didn't work.

Hopefully it will for you.

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

I had the same type of situation when I intro'd Queen...he would always stay in the bottom of the cage in his hidey house. It took about a month but now they are all happy and Queen spends his time throughout the cage. So like Jo said stand strong and they will work it out.

 

[blytherue]

my boys were like that when benny joined them! him & grady stayed up top and pan & ili stayed in the bottom of the fn. everyone mixed during out time & nobody neglected the food or water. and after maybe a couple weeks everyone stopped caring and went back to going whereever they wanted. i'm currently introing 2 youngins to the whole crew & one of them is a hairless boy and they totally ignore him for the most part. they don't ignore the other little boy though. the 2 of them like cuddling together well enough though! i wonder if it's a hairless thing...
as for the pooping...no idea! good luck with that!

 

[mamarat]

It's probably fear poop. With time he'll stop. Give him lots of attention on out time. Let him get to know you and your smells better.

 

[Ewa]

Thanks for all the advice guys . Today I did a major clean on his cage so when I was putting everything back in I did a little rearranging :cheeky: I put Ohmu's hide house , his blankies , his food , and water bottle on the bottom level instead of the top level. Then I added an empty coke box , a litter box , a hammock, and a new ramp that leads from the very bottom lvl to the next half lvl up. ( He can easily reach it without the ramp , but hopefully the ramp will pursued him to venture up) He seems to like it so far. And the best part is , now Brian and Bron want to hang out with him! Cause he's got the cool pad :lol: So with all the new additions just for him he better be happy now! :nod: i hope

 

[jorats]

That's great! smart thinking.

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

:joy:

 

[mamarat]

So glad his buddies go see him too. Very smart rearranging their cage.

 

[Ewa]

Thank you :wink2: It is almost working for now :giggle: Ohnu still nips brian and brons bums but at least he is getting exercise! He will go on the bottom floor and the half floor above it!

 

[Ewa]

Yay!!! MY Ohmu is now roaming the entire cage! Actually , he has made himself the boss lol :giggle: it is so funny how different he is acting now , i am so glad you guys convinced me to keep him in the cage a little longer , thank you :hugs:

 

[jorats]

Yay!!! I'm so glad it worked out.

 

[Rachael]

Hehe you go Ohmu.

 

[mamarat]

That's great news. Yayy