Possible to introduce a new rat to our 2 year old female?

[atinad]

My husband and I just rescued a two year old female that has never had a cage mate in her entire life. I know that rats should live with at least one other and it is better for their health in the long run. With her being on the older side, is it worth it to try and introduce another female to her?

We bought her a Critter Nation when we got her last week so that she would have room to run around than she did in her Living World Rat Resort. We really want her to be happy, but I don't want to stress her out if it would be a bad idea at her age to try and introduce another one to her.

If giving her a buddy is best for her, would we be better off with a young rat or finding one closer to her age/not a baby? Also, would it be best to introduce 2 instead of one?

If we do get another rat and they don't get along we could give them each half of the Critter Nation, but if she shouldn't be put through that process at her age we would rather let her live her life happily in the whole cage and then when she passes adopt a pair of sisters or something.

She is a very friendly girl, but definitely has an attitude with the other pets - she bit our cat through her cage and tried to claw at my dog through the bars (she is in a room of her own now, so no worries about the cats being around her). So I don't know if that would be a reflection of how she would act with another rat or if that was just because they were scaring her.

 

[jorats]

How is she health wise? Lots of energy? good appetite? bright coat and bright eyes?
What are your long term plans for rats, will you keep adopting them? If it's yes to all these questions, then I would definitely get her two young girls to be her buddies. About 2 months old is good, up to 4 months old would make ideal buddies. Having a CN is awesome, cause you can close off the top and the bottom. Her reaction to the dog and cat is normal and certainly not an indication of how she will react to buddies. Also, how she reacts behind bars is always more aggressive than face to face so she could try to claw at the buddies through the bars but not be that way once they are introduced. Cage is territory and rats defend their territory.

 

[rhapsody]

If you can, it'd be best to get your old gal a pair of buddies. Firstly, if she decides to be a solo rat, they will still have each other to keep company. Also, chances are that she will pass on before any younger companions - if she just had one buddy, you would have a sad lonely rat when she leaves.

 

[atinad]

Her health seems perfectly fine aside from the bumblefoot she came with and picked at the first 2 days - it bled a lot, but hasn't done anything to it since Saturday night. If it bleeds again, she will be going to the vet though...we called a vet and they recommended kid wound cream and since we have put that on her she has left it alone and it is calming down.

So, would two babies that are ready to leave around Christmas be okay? We don't plan on doing introductions for at least a month or so after we get them. There is also a pair of 2 year olds and a pair of 1 year olds that we could adopt - is that too old to try? We don't want to get any until after Christmas because we are moving and don't want to do introductions and everything in the middle of it in case we don't have as much time as we will when we move.

She looks so tiny in the CN! The things she sleeps in will be easy to replace to avoid it being her, and the other stuff can be washed. We have decided on getting two more for sure though because I don't want two lonely rats if Betty doesn't like company and I don't want to be in this position when Betty passes with just one.

Rhapsody - are you the same rhapsody from the hamster forum by any chance?

 

[rhapsody]

Rhapsody - are you the same rhapsody from the hamster forum by any chance?

*Shifty-eyes* How on earth did you guess! Do I know you?

 

[atinad]

Probably don't know me...but I am Henrietta over there. I just saw your post about your babies the other day, and recognized it when you responded.

 

[jorats]

With your older girl, you could probably adopt any age. The ones that are closer to her age might be a good mix but then you will miss out on the fun of new babies.
While waiting be sure to spend an enormous amount of time with Betty so she doesn't get too lonely.

 

[rhapsody]

Probably don't know me...but I am Henrietta over there. I just saw your post about your babies the other day, and recognized it when you responded.

Sweet! There's several of us who straddle both forums.

I usually try to avoid doing major change with the ratties (like intros) around the winter holiday season 'cause I get all flustered by my Christmas checklist, and my rats pick up on that and get more upset. As long as you give your old gal enough attention, she should be fine.

As for ages, you are an important factor too! If you planning to continue on having ratties in your life for a while, younguns' would be an awesome addition.

 

[atinad]

I love hamsters but after having a rat for a week, I am starting to turn to the other side. I still love my hamsters, but Betty has changed my opinion, I used to be petrified of rats.

I am in the process of talking to someone who has babies as well as a couple of adults. We are going to arrange a time to meet and see which ones we connect with the best. As of now we intend to keep rats for awhile, but we would rather pick based off of the rat and go from there.

I'm not overly concerned about my stress around Christmas...my mom and grandpa passed this year so we donated to a cause that affected them both (mom - ovarian cancer and grandpa - heart and stroke) in their memory instead of shopping for anyone. So, I don't actually have a a holiday checklist other than baking some of my mom's old recipes and hanging out with my family.

 

[raindrop]

It is funny you should say that about hamsters vs rats. When my husband and I were first married we had two male hamster and loved them dearly. Once they passed on we decided to get rats and I agree that rats are better than hamsters.(Our preference of course) Hope you enjoy the new ones no matter what age you decide on .