Am I introducing my Rats correctly?

[lydia]

Hello!

I had originally 1 Rat, named Puddin'. Just today, we got 2 more small Rats name Butterscotch and Casper, both female like Puddin'. Right now, the 2 new ones are settling in and resting in 1 cage while Puddin' is in another, with the cardboard box the 2 came home in, just to get a smell of them.

The 2 we got are very young and all new to this, so we've decided to give them at least another week to become a little bigger and stronger and all. After that, we want to put Puddin' into the cage the 2 are in, so Puddin' doesn't have her smell on anything, and they feel stronger.

After all of that, what do I expect? Is this the correct way to introduce them?

Thank you!
Thank you very much to everyone - I'm sure we'll do well in the introduction.

 

[Igloo]

You're doing pretty good so far. It was a good decision not to put them all in one cage at once. You should actually put the two cages in separate rooms for a few days then you should place the two cages near each each other so that they can get used to each others scent. Don't put them so close that they can touch each other but make it so that they can see and smell each other. Leave it like that for about a week.

Next, introduce the rats in a neutral place like a bathtub or some place where your original rats don't go (and leave their scent). If they show any signs of aggression (arching their backs and attacking each other) then unfortunately you cant really put them together for safety purposes.

Once the rats have been introduced, let them play in each others cages. ALWAYS watch them because you don't want any fights. once you think its okay then you can move them in together =] It's okay to put them all in the new cage or you could even get a newer cage which neither of the rats have lived in so that there are no territorial problems (but this probably isn't nessicary).

Good luck! =]

*note: there is a difference between play-fighting and actual fighting. play-fighting is when the rats are nuzzling each others faces and jumping around and chasing each other. this is normal in small rats. actual fighting involves biting, scratching and hissing

 

[Michaela B]

no, you should put them all in so they can get use to each other or it could be a rat fight

 

[Nadae97 1997's rule!]

i think that is a great way to introduce just make sure puddin's box is big enough cos' the way you explain it it doesn't sound big.

Good Luck!