Picking new rats

[belle_foudre]

I just got a new cage for my girls, and Ive decided its too big for just the two of them. Just so everyone knows, I adopted these girls and they were very small and they never really put on more bulk since I have had them. I would really like to get 2 more younger girls, but I dont want anyone to get bullied. Are there any social traits I should look for in a litter?

 

[xxchelle]

What are the dimensions of the cage? There's really no such thing as "too big" for rats

Also, a rescue near you should be able to help you find rats with the right personality to be introduced to your existing ratties.

 

[jorats]

If you are looking at a very young litter, it will be hard to say how they will turn out. Everything is a factor from genes to environment. I would say look for quiet ones but then they might not be all that social with you.
You want happy bouncy babies, well adjusted and just plain friendly to their litter mates and humans alike.

 

[SQ]

You will also want to quarantine any new rats coming in to make sure they are not ill and more particularly so that you know they are unlikely to have one of the highly contagious, often fatal diseases rats (and other rodents) can get.

You may want to adopt from a rescue that does a full 4 week quarantine in a separate airspace, on all their rats so that a full quarantine has already been done for you.

 

[belle_foudre]

The cage is 30x18x55" and I have been slowly adding new things to it. I would prefer that they be younger, but if one needs a home Ill take it. I have spoken with a few ppl from craigslist that have litters and I can come and pick one out. I do have a cage for a separation period. I just dont want to get a aggressive rat.

 

[jorats]

That's always hard to tell if the rat will be aggressive because he could be the sweetest rat in the world but the move and changes and smell of new rats could set him off and become scared, stressed and territorial.

And like SQ mentioned please be sure to quarantine.

 

[belle_foudre]

Ok, so any helpful ways to make things less stressful to a new additions? I was kinda hoping that since Ill be getting 2 rats from whatever litter I get, it would keep them from being too stressed.

 

[jorats]

Getting two is a good idea. Keep them happy and playing and lots of interactions and that should do the trick.