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BlackRose
Sat Feb 18, 2006 5:21 pm
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 Intro thoughts |
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We are still wondering about introducing two other baby rats at some point. I read on the introduction part of this site that they need to be kept in another room before introducing them??
I already knew that they had to be kept in another cage for two weeks, to get used to the change and to us, but I would have thought that having them in the same room and indeed next to our other rats cage (which we read we should do in a rat care book), would make more sense. Then they could see and smell each other through the bars and two weeks later they could then start to be introduced to each other outside the cage at playtime now and then and eventually a couple of days after that they could start being put in the cage when playtimes over and they all go back in. Then if that goes well they eventually move in.
That makes more sense to me.
Still not sure if we should get another two or when anyway. I think its more of the ' rats are so cute...lets get two more' thing.
Secondly, I know rats can have carrots...but is the only problem their fur getting stained? Theres no actual problem with the food? And as far as the staining goes my rabbits used to have a stained mouth after eating carrots and a white later they had washed it off. Wouldnt this be the same situation?
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Life is only what you make it |
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bored_bel
Sat Feb 18, 2006 7:18 pm
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| RE: Intro thoughts |
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Carrots- yes that's the only problem.. With regards to intros; the two eeks gap is for quarantine, rather than letting them get used to you. During this period, they should really be in another room anyway, as most common things that rats will carry are airborn (colds, respiratory problems, mites etc). The best idea is then to place them in the same room, let them get used to each others smells.. Then place the rats in opposite cages (So your original girls in the new girls' cage and vice versa). This will allow them to rummage in the scents and get used to each other more completely. The best idea is to do this for a couple of weeks, for around 20 minutes a time every day. You can then think about introducing them. Rub something smelly on each of your rats to disguise their smell (old rats and new rats). I use lemon essential oil as it is quite strong smelling, but also non toxic. Coffee would probably be quite good too as it neutralises smells (Use some strong dissolved cofee that had cooled). Then introduce them for a sniff.. I have introduced mine gradually, for longer periods at a time. It is really important that you do this in a neutral environment.. A bathroom is good as it is easy to clean and any fear poo or wee is easily cleaned. I have also found that after introductions, if I have the same jumper on the next night, the boys go mad as they can smell each other on the jumper. Unfortunately, it scares them and sets off the introduction badly, so I would also advise wearing a clean top for the first few intros. Time and patience is the key. Expect to see some scuffling tho.
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Hero
Maggie n Flo
The Bunch of Tiny Pinkies
RIP Poncho.. The best second hand rat there ever was  |
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