How do i socialize a new rat with 2 other rats i have had for awhile?

Question

i have had 2 female PEW rats for about 4 months now. they were bought 3 days apart, so they get along perfectly as cagemates.

i went to PetCo yesterday and absolutely fell in love with a grey rattie they had there. she was just pulling on my heartstrings, and although i know it's not a great idea to introduce a third rat this late in the game, i couldn't help but try. so i brought her home.

right now she is living in her own smaller cage, set up right next to the older girls' massive Rat Manor. when i took them all out for playtime on the couch, my oldest rat (the dominant one) was hissing at her, jumping on her trying to attack her! poor little one was shaking. i knew this could happen, but my girls are such sweeties i was hoping they would take to her. the other female seems okay with her, just curious. it's the dominant girl that is flipping out (i know, i know--normal).

my question is, any tips on how to remedy this situation??? the cage i bought the new little one is certainly adequate to live in, but i really want her to have cagemates/playmates, and the other massive cage could certainly accomodate 3 rats. but how can i get my oldest rat to accept her?? any suggestions would really be appreciated. =)

Answer 1

Introduce them in a neutral place, like on your bed or in the bathtub (obviously with no water in it). Do this for about two weeks or more. They may have a minor scuffle or two but eventually they will bond. When I introduced my new rat (happened exactly the same way as you) she did do the fluff up the fur thing and hissing but I shortened the outings to about 5 minutes a day and at first just took one of the older rats out to meet the new one at a time and they soon improved. I found that one of the older rats started to form a bond with the new rat and so it was easier when it came to getting them all to meet at the same time. I know this sounds gross but if the old rat pees on you wipe it on the new rat so that it smells familiar to them. Try and end on a good note so if they have a scuffle separate them, but let them wonder around for a while and give them a treat each then put them away, try as hard as you can not to end the outing on a fight. Make it as happy as possible, pet them, give them loads of treats, once they stop hissing at each other dripping a tiny bit of yoghurt on the backs of each of them is good because they try to l**k it off each other. When they seem friendly (they wash each other and play fight, not serious fighting and after about 2-3 weeks of taking them out, clean out the cage you are going to put them in thoroughly. I found putting a little bit of the new rat's soiled bedding in the cage helpful as it told the older rats that this was the new rats territory too and place them all in. Watch them carefully in case they fight but it should be fine. If they do, you may need to separate them and start the process again.

Just thought of something else. Once they all got on well, and it was about 2-3 weeks, when I put them in the cage together the older rats didn't allow the new one in the igloo for a while. I rigged up another bed for her and was a bit worried but eventually she must have muscled her way in as I found them all snoozing in a bunch about three days later.

Answer 2

first clean both cages well then try setting up the cages in a different room, rub rodent shampoo on them both and seperate them by a barred divider. the shampoo gets rid of their scent, moving themto a differrent room helps with the territory hisses and the divider wont let them fight but only lets them sniff each other.

hope it works out

Answer 3

Introduce them in a neutral area; most people use a bathtub. Have them out with each other for about an hour at any one time.

You just need patience. It'll take a while but they'll grow to enjoy each other's company.

You can also put the new grey rat in the PEW's cage, and the PEW's in the grey rat's cage. Swap cages for about a week, then change them back. They'll be used to the opposing rat's smell and be less likely to be aggressive towards them.

Then you can try having them out in a usual playing area, like your bed. They should be alright with each other. Then you can try putting them in the same cage, but keep a close eye on them and seperate them if there's any aggression.

Don't get worried by pinning, squeaking, running away, mounting, or anything of the sort. That's just to define dominance. Only seperate them again if there's hissing, blood drawn, severe stuff like that.

Good luck