Introducing a new rat? How should I proceed?

[abluecreature]

I recently adopted two young rats, and have had them about three weeks. Tragically, one of them suddenly succumbed to a respiratory infection and has died recently. Neither rat was a full size adult, but they aren't babies either. Not sure how old they are.
Now the remaining rat is alone, and I don't want him to be lonely for the rest of his life. How should I proceed in finding a friend for him? Should I try and get one about the same age? Or would a younger rat be better? And what are some tips for good introductions so my current pet doesn't get territorial and aggressive?

Thanks!

 

[me_563]

Sorry about your rat

The older the male rat is, the harder it's going to be to introduce them to each other so you should get a new one as soon as you can to get started.

The first thing you need to do is get a cage for the new rat. You can't put it right in the rats cage you have now because it will end bloody. What you should do is quarantine the new rat for 24 hours just in case it has an illness and you can find it before it gets to your other rat. When that's over, put both the rats in a neutral area such as a bathtub because if you put them down in an area that one of them has played in they will get territorial. So put a towel down on the bottom of your bathtub and put them in. Have on hand a spray bottle of warm water and a towel for when they fight you need to break it up if it gets bad. They will fight and you'll hear squeaking but unless there's blood then they should be fine. If you feel like you should stop it then quickly spray them and they should stop.

Do this everyday gradually increasing the time that they're together. If a week has gone by then you can put them in the rats regular play spot. If there's any fighting there then you have to go back to the neutral area and do it again. If they stop fighting in the play spot then you can put them in the same cage.

You need to wash EVERYTHING in the cage including the cage itself. The bottom, the wire cage, the levels, food bowls, everything. That way it's like a new cage to both rats and the one that was living in it already doesn't get territorial again. Switch the cage up too so it's completely different for the previous rat.

It takes a lot of time and patience. I'm doing it with 2 males now and they don't get along after doing this for 4 months. And never stick your hand between the 2 rats. You will get bitten. They'll be nervous about the first couple introductions so when you go to pick one of them up let them see your hand first so they think it's not the other rat jumping on their back.