I'm by no means an expert, relatively new, actually, but here's my 2c:

1. I think if you follow proper intro procedure and are aware that it may take a little longer than usual, but keep at it, it'll probably go fine. I just sucessfully introduced 2 strange rats to a bonded pair and it was much more traumatic for me than them, I think. : Anyway they're all best buds now, except for the occasional squabble.

2. Dunno, but I've heard of allergies that will make them sneeze. Mine seem to sneeze only when they're excited (excitement sneezes? I don't know) lol Someone else will be better with this one

3. I think your options are to keep trying, or to keep them separate and maybe get another friend for your lonely one. But I"m not sure how common this actually is with females. I think it's more common to have males that won't accept a new playmate ...

 

Yeah I've heard about rats being allergic to things before too. I asked about it once but didn't get much of a reply, and I can't find anything about it on the web? ??? They're in a well ventilated cage in a nice, dry room with breeders choice (or YN) bedding. So I can't think what else, except for a URI, could be causing the sneezing. And I've heard of excited sneezing too, I think some other members' rats do it as well.

From what I've read, the easiest introductions to do are a neutered male with an intact female. Apparently the second easiest is introducing females to females, and introducing intact males to intact males is supposed to be the worst. I would consider getting a male, but I can't find ANY vets that are experienced in neutering rats. Most of the responses I've received were along the lines of "I'll give it a try...". The vet nurse at my vet owns male rats and said she couldn't find anyone either.

A lot of websites also recommend introducing TWO babies (SEE QUOTE BELOW) to two adults, in case the adults pick on the babies. I guess that's true, but I thought one baby might be considered less of a threat to my two girls? I don't really want to have four rats... :-\


"If you're introducing a baby to adults, it's recommended you get two babies. This way they have each other during the introduction process, and they can comfort each other if they're being bullied by the resident rats. I also wouldn't introduce babies to adults until the babies are 6 weeks old, especially when introducing to males rats."

 

A lot of websites also recommend introducing TWO babies (SEE QUOTE BELOW) to two adults, in case the adults pick on the babies. I guess that's true, but I thought one baby might be considered less of a threat to my two girls? I don't really want to have four rats... :-\


"If you're introducing a baby to adults, it's recommended you get two babies. This way they have each other during the introduction process, and they can comfort each other if they're being bullied by the resident rats. I also wouldn't introduce babies to adults until the babies are 6 weeks old, especially when introducing to males rats."

I successfully introduced baby Gizmo to my two adult rats (approx 19 months) with no problems and they get along fine. I also didn't want to have 4 rats.

First intro

Max comforting Gizmo after the idiot vet trimmed Gizmo's teeth

 

The only into I've ever done was between two baby boys and one male and that went perfectly smoothly the group of three worked nicely together. They do tend to recommend pairs of babies so that they feel more secure during the whole process (safety in numbers).

If you really can't justify four in total then I would say give the intro a go but you will need a back up plan for if they really can't live together - would you get another little one to keep the baby company (ending up with four anyway) or would the breeder take the little one back to be re-homed?

Good Luck

and how cuuuute is Gizmo :-*

 

Stace87, thanks for the advice and pictures. And Dexy, I do have a few options I suppose if they absolutely cannot live together. The cage I have is actually two individual cages secured to one another vertically (pictures http://www.ratforum.com/index.php/topic,10422.msg98535.html#msg98535). The cages are connected with a piece of drainage pipe. If things got really bad then I could simply remove the drainage pipe and turn the cages back into individual cages, with my girls on top and the little one on the bottom...I'd really prefer not to do that, since the whole point of me getting another rat is so my girls can have another friend, but I COULD do it.

I just don't think I could handle looking after 4 rats...I know it doesnt seem like a big difference but 3 is much better for me. If things really don't work out there are a few other options. The breeder I would buy the girl from is a much sought after breeder, and the rat community in my city is quite small and tight-knit. So if my rats reeeeaaaalllyyy couldn't handle the newbie then I think the chances of another rat owner wanting to take her are quite high. But again, I don't think it's fair to get her and then decide I can't handle her and pass her on to someone else.

I guess another big concern for me is my rats sneezing. I really don't know what to do about that though...they've been to the vet so many times. However, I have just bought some new cage disinfectant which has a much milder smell, so that might help matters.

 

I'm in a similar boat to you. We are getting another girl in a few weeks to make 3 total. 4 is too much for our house, and I think that one more girl will work as a nice mediator between the two we have (they are complete opposites really).

However, I have just bought some new cage disinfectant which has a much milder smell, so that might help matters.

What do you use for cleaning? And do you use any perfumes or cleaners around the house? Candles? Even something simple like spraying certain perfumes up in another room or bathroom have been known to effect rats. For cleaning, I'd use distilled white vinegar diluted in water.. when you're not used to the smell it can be strong, but it dries odorless, and disinfects. Baking soda works well for smell if that's ever a problem, and both are perfectly safe and natural to use with your rats. Distilled white vinegar also works better than windex as far as non-streaking glass and mirror cleaner. I'd take a look at every little chemical or scented item you use throughout the house (whether for rats or your use), and maybe experiment with things (or not using things for a couple weeks) to see if the sniffles clear up.