Irish Rat Club
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

Baby Rat Introduction

3 posters

Go down

Baby Rat Introduction Empty Baby Rat Introduction

Post by FionaCassim Sat Nov 17, 2012 11:43 pm

Hi everyone,
I am new to the forum and just had a question...
I had 2 rats that I had since babies, Dobby and Clunkers. Dobby passed away on September 26th and Clunkers is still going strong thank God!
last week, I rescued a lone baby dumbo who was on his own and looked miserable. I am now wondering if it would be better to introduce him to Clunkers (who is old, grumpy and set in his ways!!) or maybe try to adopt another baby rat as a cage mate for him?

Any advice would be really appreciated. Oh, the new little guy is Chuckles and is approx. 9 weeks old.

Thanks in advance!

Fiona
FionaCassim
FionaCassim
Junior Member
Junior Member

Posts : 16
Join date : 2012-11-17
Location : Bray, Co. Wicklow

Back to top Go down

Baby Rat Introduction Empty Re: Baby Rat Introduction

Post by Francois Sat Nov 17, 2012 11:51 pm

Hi Fiona,

You could try introducing him to your grumpy old man, but it would be a good idea to get an additional playmate. Sometimes the rats just don't get along. I had a problem with my over-dominant Jack (1 year old) that didn't tolerate my 2 youngest boys. (so the young boys ended up in a cage by themselves).

There are some good articles about how to introduce rats, http://www.petresearch.net/2009/02/18/a-guide-to-rat-introductions

Always be patient and careful, I hope your grumpy old man gets along with his new playmates Smile

Francois
Deactivated
Deactivated

Posts : 209
Join date : 2011-09-30

Back to top Go down

Baby Rat Introduction Empty Re: Baby Rat Introduction

Post by FionaCassim Sun Nov 18, 2012 12:15 am

Thanks so much, I'm just afraid Clunkers may get annoyed as the new little guy is like the Road Runner and into everything!! He's going to be quite a little character! I will get a new baby for him and leave Clunkers as he is - he doesn't like sharing his mummy with anyone!

Thanks so much for the reply! I will put up photo's soon!
FionaCassim
FionaCassim
Junior Member
Junior Member

Posts : 16
Join date : 2012-11-17
Location : Bray, Co. Wicklow

Back to top Go down

Baby Rat Introduction Empty Re: Baby Rat Introduction

Post by Zoundz Sun Nov 18, 2012 10:38 pm

I would get a playmate and still try to introduce them, but slowly and carefully Smile

xx
Zoundz
Zoundz
Administrator
Administrator

Posts : 2043
Join date : 2011-09-25
Age : 39
Location : Clonakilty, West Cork, Ireland

http://www.irishrats.co.uk

Back to top Go down

Baby Rat Introduction Empty Re: Baby Rat Introduction

Post by FionaCassim Sun Nov 18, 2012 11:33 pm

Yeah I think a baby may be a better way to go than grumpy Clunkers! Getting Chuckles 'big person' cage next week - very excited! Smile
Thanks for the suggestion x
FionaCassim
FionaCassim
Junior Member
Junior Member

Posts : 16
Join date : 2012-11-17
Location : Bray, Co. Wicklow

Back to top Go down

Baby Rat Introduction Empty Update!

Post by FionaCassim Tue Nov 20, 2012 11:17 pm

Ok, so I introduced Clunkers and the baby Chuckles last night in the bath tub and all good so far!! I think Clunkers is too old to have the little one jumping and bounding though. I have made inquiries about getting a new baby and am waiting to hear back.
I also let the little one out in my bedroom to roam and again all good, he just came back to me when he was ready to go back home!
Great progress and thanks to everyone for the replies x
FionaCassim
FionaCassim
Junior Member
Junior Member

Posts : 16
Join date : 2012-11-17
Location : Bray, Co. Wicklow

Back to top Go down

Baby Rat Introduction Empty Re: Baby Rat Introduction

Post by Zoundz Wed Nov 21, 2012 4:51 am

I do have some boys myself at the moment, but they're not ready for 2 weeks :/ I also have a waiting list, but I often make exceptions if people need company for other rats, and also, people keep not replying to my e-mails! Angry

xx
Zoundz
Zoundz
Administrator
Administrator

Posts : 2043
Join date : 2011-09-25
Age : 39
Location : Clonakilty, West Cork, Ireland

http://www.irishrats.co.uk

Back to top Go down

Baby Rat Introduction Empty Re: Baby Rat Introduction

Post by FionaCassim Wed Nov 21, 2012 4:57 am

Hi Zoundz,

You guys are breeders right? Yeah I'm torn myself - on the one hand he seems so very happy with me as his buddy and quite content on his own (he was on his own in the pet shop- this is why I 'rescued' him) - but on the other hand, I can't really be with him every minute and would like him to have a little friend to play with... what do you think?

Where are you based, as I'm in Bray?

x
FionaCassim
FionaCassim
Junior Member
Junior Member

Posts : 16
Join date : 2012-11-17
Location : Bray, Co. Wicklow

Back to top Go down

Baby Rat Introduction Empty Re: Baby Rat Introduction

Post by Zoundz Wed Nov 21, 2012 12:25 pm

We're in Cork - and it's at least two weeks until we have something available, so if you do find something in the mean time it might be best, the sooner the better really Smile

xx
Zoundz
Zoundz
Administrator
Administrator

Posts : 2043
Join date : 2011-09-25
Age : 39
Location : Clonakilty, West Cork, Ireland

http://www.irishrats.co.uk

Back to top Go down

Baby Rat Introduction Empty Re: Baby Rat Introduction

Post by FionaCassim Sun Nov 25, 2012 12:21 am

Thanks but I need him asap for little Chuckles!!

So...after an exhausting search, I found somewhere that has one male baby left, 8 weeks old. Chuckles is 11 weeks - do you think this is a good age to introduce the pair? Obviously I'll do it slowly (I have a spare cage to keep the new guy in for a while), and quarantine the new fella for a week or two first and introduce them over time...

Should this be ok? I'm terrified they won't get along and will have to stay in separate cages!!!

Any advice appreciated!

x
FionaCassim
FionaCassim
Junior Member
Junior Member

Posts : 16
Join date : 2012-11-17
Location : Bray, Co. Wicklow

Back to top Go down

Baby Rat Introduction Empty Re: Baby Rat Introduction

Post by Zoundz Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:36 am

This age should be fine, I'd just chuck them in together personally.

xx
Zoundz
Zoundz
Administrator
Administrator

Posts : 2043
Join date : 2011-09-25
Age : 39
Location : Clonakilty, West Cork, Ireland

http://www.irishrats.co.uk

Back to top Go down

Baby Rat Introduction Empty Re: Baby Rat Introduction

Post by Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Back to top

- Similar topics

 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum