Play, Tiff Or Clash? Understanding Pet Rat Relationships

Hi Amos,

It sounds like you’ve been through a lot with your rats. I feel for you! I’m wondering if anything’s changed since you wrote. If so, what I write here may no longer be applicable. Feel free to update me if things have significantly changed.

Have you read my post How to Ace Pet Rat Introductions? In this article you’ll find my recommended methods for introducing rats.

From what you’ve written, it sounds like you may possibly have gone a little too quickly. Especially when it comes to placing them together in a big cage. When you do place them together in a big cage, it’s important to fill the cage with things none of the rats have seen before. That way they have the shared experience of exploring the cage together. It really helps them bond when they’re exploring new things together.

After they explore and get to know the new cage, you can choose to separate them again. Sometimes it can help to keep all introductions brief. You want to leave them wanting more. You could let them explore this new cage and then put them back in their respective living spaces. Then, later in the day you can place them back in the cage with the new things in it. Gradually repeat this process for longer and longer periods of time.

Eventually you’ll find them all sleeping together at which time you’ll know they’re becoming friends.

One more thing: You could go even slower and introduce Cookie to one new rat at a time. Once she gets comfortable with one of the new rats, then you can introduce Cookie to the other new rat. During the introductory phase, you can have one new rat staying with Cookie during the day or at a time when you’re there to supervise and then place that rat back in with your other new rat the other part of the day. I’d do this for about a week and then try having the one new rat live with her full-time. Then repeat with the second new rat.

As you can see, there are lots of options. You do need to experiment a bit to see what will work best with your rats.

Sounds like you’re off to a good start, you just need to go a little slower when it comes to having them all together in a big cage.

Let me know if things have changed and/or if you need any clarification on what I’ve written. I’d love to hear an update, (if you feel like sharing), too!

Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,

Jasmine | About Pet Rats