[Poppyseed]

I'm trying to intro Bert to Odin and Bastian but it's going kind of rocky. While him and Bastian seem to be warming up a bit he is scared of Odin. Bert is probably half the size of Bastian and a third the size of Odin, he's a very small rat. I'm not sure on his weight but I know Odin had weighed around 670 grams and Bastian weighed around 560 at the vet today. I'm geussing Bert is 250-300.

But he's just so scared of the big hairy monsters under his cage. I've been trying to get them to meet on neutral territory but Bert just finds ways to get the heck out of dodge rather than smell them out. When he has smelled them out he gets scared and squeeks and runs. He has gained some interest in Bastian and has sniffed him a bit but not too long. He eventually runs.

But the one I'm worried the most abot is Odin. He seems MUCH more afraid of Odin than Bastian and Odin has bitten a couple of times. I think it was mostly a scrape bite though and I wouldn't of been able to see them if Bert wasn't hairless. I think Odin wants to put his teeth on Bert perhaps but Bert freaks out and runs and that causes scraping?

So any suggestions. I've bathed them and let them watch eachother, Bert is always watching them when he can from far away. I don't want Bert to be alone but if I have to keep the cage in two seperate cages and possibly get Bert a small baby or hairless friend I bet I can (each section can hold two rats, the whole thing holds five so it's not living in absolute minimum space if I do that, 2.5 rats/section) Or perhaps maybe a spayed female? He seems more feminine than masculine.

Another thing is I have to keep Bastian and Odin on a different diet than Bert. They are fatty ratties so no Suebees for them where as Bert needs more protein and calories as he burns them fast from his higher metabolism.

I don't know what to do really. Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions. It's just been a week, if I keep at it will they get better? I feel bad about Bert being alone for so long.

 

[Poppyseed]

alright, it seems after I wrote that Bastian and Bert sought to prove me wrong D: I left the cage doors open (don't yell, I leave them open during the day when I'm around D: And I WON'T stop, they are fine) And went to throw laundry in the dryer. I come back to find Bastian had CLIMBED up there without ladders holes, ramps or anything and was PLAYING peck order fighting with Bert. Nothing violent they wer PLAYING!!!! At first I was concerned and put my hand in there on the corner and Bert came up and bruxed so loud!

So now I know Bastian and Bert get along well and have grown to like eachother. Perhaps they needed a meeting on their own terms? Or maybe it was me posting here. But I still have concerns over Odin. Do you think the touch biting is an agressive thing? Should he get neutered after his health gets better?

 

[OnlyOno]

aww, happy to hear that! they probably just needed their own time. now that bastian and bert are friends, maybe odin will come to accept him since bastian did? ratties are def like little people in that they have their own cliques and such, but since you're already half-way there, i'd hold out hope. neutering would help, i'm sure, but what is his health problem? sounds scary, to undergo surgery so soon after getting better?

 

[Poppyseed]

we are not sure what is going on till after the x-ray on Monday. He has heavy breathing and antibiotics aren't doing it yet so I decided to let her go in and see if it is heart disease. I hope it's nothing serious!

Yeah probably isn't a good idea to neuter Odin with his health problems. I really hope he doesn't have heart disease but it does seem the most likely thing with his overweightness. I think he has the genetic overweight gene that makes rats prone to heart disease D: No more feeder babies for me D:

 

[DonnaK]

You might find Odin comes around a bit after he sees the other two getting along. Rats can be real copycats sometimes, and often want what the other one has.

As for Bert's diet, perhaps you sneak him some healthy protein rich treats when he's out for playtime?

 

[Poppyseed]

Yeah, he does seem to like to play more often with me than Bastian and Odin and loves hanging around the computer. I already feed him treats here anyway. He creates a little hoard behind my computer monitors.

Does anyone know exactly how MUCH more protein you should feed a hairless? I know I've read they need more and eat more as they have high metabolism but how much? He seems fine with dog food right now (he wouldn't eat the lab blocks D: But he eats them now)But I think I want to cut this one out, it's not a good brand and is high in protein. Maybe if I give him some as a treat? I know he liked the little bits of salmon I gave him last night but I don't eat meat every night since i turned semi-veggie. (I only eat fish, eggs, and dairy)

Would bits of bocca burger be fine as well for a protein source?