Whats the safest way to introduce rats to each other?

Question

For about a month, i had had one male rat. today just now, i got a new smaller male rat. my older rat keeps sniffing his genitals and tackling him and its scaring me. is this normal? should i just let them do this till they get used to one another?

Answer 1

What i usually do is fill up the bath tub with about an inch or two of water, and put everyone in.  Everyone gets wet, is uncomfortable, and ends up smelling about the same.  Afterwards, I dry them off, let them play a bit on neutral ground, and if all still seems well, put them in the cage.  (just be sure to smell it first.)  Doing it this way, I've never had a serious fight.

Some wrestling/pinning is normal.  They need to assert dominance.  However, if you just put them in the same cage that smells like the older rat, the younger one might get scared, or the older one might be a bit too rough about a new rat being on 'his' territory.

Answer 2

i have three male rats myself.

i got 2 to start off with

and decided to get another

one five months later.

just put him in the cage.

your older rat may pin him to smell.

but he will not hurt him

good luck x

Answer 3

Put them in a cage together. put something in the middle where they an sniff each other but not ever get to see each other to fight.

Then a week later put them each on opposite sides of the cage. so they can know each others sent. leave it for a week then take the middle part out and there you have it. loving rats :)

Answer 4

What you should have done was handle the newbie for a few minutes before putting him in the cage.

We went through this recently, with our girls Snoopy and Xena. Snoopy was the Rat in Residence (given to me by a friend who had a baby) and Xena was the newbie. We (my dad and I) handled Xena before we brought her home, and again after we arrived. Dad set Xena in the cage and handled Snoopy for a few minutes, and then put her in the cage with Xena. Snoopy sniffed Xena. That was all she wrote, Snoopy's person had deemed Xena worthy.

Answer 5

Introducing them on neutral territory is often the best way, and scent each one with a little perfume or scented baby powder. ( nothing toxic of course )

This confuses them and so neither seem hostile to one another due to the smell - they can then sniff and groom each other, forming a bond.

However since you have already placed the new male with him - you may just have to wait until they get used to each other. A bit of tackling is normal, just keep an eye open for any very hostile behaviour such as biting hard enough to draw blood.

It may take a few days or more but they should settle down, good luck!

Answer 6

put them in the bath tub together!

read this! http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/information/...