Question on intact male intros

[Unepuce]

I have a colleague who got rats for his daughter and found out about my passion... so I am his go to person now.

He came to me this morning to tell me one of his rats passed away suddenly yesterday, so that leaves their other rat a lone rat. He's not sure what the next step will be so I'm emphasizing that the best way to go is to get his rat a friend. His question was how much trouble would it be to intro the rats.

My experience with male rats stops at neutered boys. His boy is intact, around 1 year old. I told him the easiest intro would be to get him (the rat!!!) neutered and adopt a female, but I don't believe he's willing to pay for the neuter. So now - what would be the better age for an easy intro between too intact males? I thought baby, but I'm not too sure with males and the baby would end up getting hormonal himself eventually; same age would be hormonal for both; older... considering the lifespan and the fact his daughter is devastated by the loss, I'm not very fond on recommending. Any thought?

Victoria, would you happen to know whether there would be a neutered male (or spayed female) available for adoption at the SPCA?

 

[hopefloats]

I think it depends on the boys. Some of my already mature boys have been awesome. Some of my already neutered boys, kinda pushy, some of my intact boys the most submissive rats ever. while some are total intact jerks. Baby intros can be difficult too, found that out with romeo.
Male to female can be easier, but i have had a girls show me that isn't 100% true.


Maybe he would be easier to convince if you had an idea of what it would be to spay or neuter one?

 

[victoria]

I have a colleague who got rats for his daughter and found out about my passion... so I am his go to person now.

He came to me this morning to tell me one of his rats passed away suddenly yesterday, so that leaves their other rat a lone rat. He's not sure what the next step will be so I'm emphasizing that the best way to go is to get his rat a friend. His question was how much trouble would it be to intro the rats.

My experience with male rats stops at neutered boys. His boy is intact, around 1 year old. I told him the easiest intro would be to get him (the rat!!!) neutered and adopt a female, but I don't believe he's willing to pay for the neuter. So now - what would be the better age for an easy intro between too intact males? I thought baby, but I'm not too sure with males and the baby would end up getting hormonal himself eventually; same age would be hormonal for both; older... considering the lifespan and the fact his daughter is devastated by the loss, I'm not very fond on recommending. Any thought?

Victoria, would you happen to know whether there would be a neutered male (or spayed female) available for adoption at the SPCA?

I'm running out the door so I'll only answer the last question. There are no altered rats at the SPCA, we have a lone hairless boy in foster and a pair of girls in a foster home (that we suspect they will stay at forever since the family loves them). You should check with the vet, if they have any rats that need rehoming they may be able to work something out.

 

[Unepuce]

Thank you Victoria... I knew it was a long shot, but I thought I should try anyway!

I thought of calling the vet too since that's how I got Mac... will certainly do so!

 

[Sorraia]

Depends entirely on the males involved. In the years I've been keeping rats, I've actually generally had an easier time introducing males than females. When there were problems, the males were more aggressive than the females, BUT the females tended to have problems during introductions more often than males.

If he could find a spayed female available for adoption, that would be the best option. If not, a neutered male, or neutering this male. Third best would be adopting two juvenile (approximately 8-16 weeks of age) males. Just have him take introductions extra slow, to be sure.

 

[jorats]

I agree with Sorraia. Spayed female if possible, or neutered male as second choice, lastly a couple of young males, I prefer 8 weeks because they have not matured yet. Males start to mature at 3 months and reach a peak between 5 to 8 months old.

 

[Unepuce]

We might be getting a new member this weekend! :thumbup:

 

[victoria]

I remembered later there is also a young female in foster but I'm not sure if she'll be up for adoption (I think she's part of an investigation) or if she'd even be a good choice. I haven't met her but she's supposed to be very aggressive and scared even though she's very young. (Then again, I haven't been at the shelter since Tuesday, we may have 10 rats for all I know.) If money's an issue, there are cheaper vets to go to for neuters... I don't anyone that has gone to them though, so I don't know much about them. Sadly, it's unlikely there will be an altered rat available at any shelter/rescue, unless it's through the vet or the faculty.

 

[victoria]

Thought of something else I should add...

The SPCA will do a "foster to adopt" for cases where you are trying to bond two or more animals together. If it doesn't work out, you can bring them back after 30 days. I'm not sure about all the specifics, but it's something to keep in mind, especially since we have a lone male.

 

[RatsForever]

I just introduced an intact male (Karl) with a neutered male (Cohen) and the introduction went great. At first I was terrified to introduce Karl to Cohen but Karl turned out to be the submissive one! Usually, I have my boys neutered because of aggression but I'm going to leave Karl intact as he is such a calm laid back boy. It's my neutered boy who has the attitude. :giggle:

 

[Unepuce]

Thought of something else I should add...

The SPCA will do a "foster to adopt" for cases where you are trying to bond two or more animals together. If it doesn't work out, you can bring them back after 30 days. I'm not sure about all the specifics, but it's something to keep in mind, especially since we have a lone male.

Just sent him the info - this is great! Probably the better option for him!

Ratsforever - This would be my best scenario, second after the altered female one. But sadly, altered rescues are not that common...