Introducing two pet rats?

Hey, I've got a year old female rat %26amp; I read that they get lonely on their own so I bought a 6 week old female rat yesturday. How long should I wait until I can begin to introduce them?Introducing two pet rats?
they should be just fine together...rats are very social and usually social problems are related to bucks around a female





the main concern really is not how they will get on, but to make sure that the new ratty is not bringing any sickness to your rattie...if the new one came from a reputable breeder there would be less need for concern, but...





if from a pet shop then there is more of a worry





usually new rats are quarantined for a week or two to make sure they dont have things like a respiratory infection that could be spread to your pet





I recently put a 5week baby with two older sisters and apart from a little rough grooming at first it only took a day and the baby is now contentedly sleeping with and eating with the others





I was really nervous at first, especially when I say how full on the power grooming was from my most dominant ratty sister, but the little ratty coped and it wasnt too bad...probably I felt worse about it than baby did





I wasnt worried about the germ and disease thing so much as they all came from the same breeder and all their ratties were very healthy





it has been weeks and all is well...so it is really up to you to assess how much risk of illness there would be





the social interaction would be the least of my worries, but I would still keep a close eye to make sure the baby can copeIntroducing two pet rats?
It's important to observe proper quarantine procedures when bringing home a new rat. Your new rat should remain in a separate airspace for three weeks so you can observe her and make sure she isn't carrying any parasites or illnesses that may harm the rat you already have. Wash your hands and change your clothes between handling each rat so germs don't get spread between them through you.





After three weeks have passed and you are sure the new rat is healthy you can begin introductions. Start on neutral territory, somewhere you don't normally take your rat out, such as a bed, table, or rat-proofed floor area and let them crawl around and mingle for about 20-30 minutes. While they are doing this, clean the cage you are going to put them in really well, washing all toys to remove any scents. Put the new rat into the cage first, giving her around 20 minutes to sniff around and mark, then put the other rat in. Some fighting is to be expected, only separate them if they are drawing blood or being very vicious. Putting a drop of vanilla oil on their fur or giving them both a bath can help with introductions, though with females there are hardly ever any problems.





Good luck with your rats!
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To quarantine:





It is advised that you store your new rat(s) in a separate airspace. A separate airspace means a different house entirely, not just a different room in your house and definitely not outside. The rat will need to be in this airspace for three weeks, at which point you'll be able to begin introductions if the rat seems healthy.





Q: What if the rat is coming from a reputable breeder who takes good care of their rats? Do I still need to quarantine?





A: Yes, quarantine is still necessary. Remember, quarantine is not only to protect your old rats from new diseases, but also to protect the new rat from random diseases the older rats might come up with.





Q: How old should my rat be before introducing it to others?





A: A rat is supposed to be five weeks old before it is separated from its mother. Since you will have gone through a quarantine process for three weeks, then your rat should be no younger than eight weeks old when you're trying to introduce it. If for some reason your rat is younger, it would be good to wait until it's at least 5 weeks old.
Make sure that both of their cages are far enough apart that they can smell each other but still can't reach each other.. then let them run around on a counter or in a bathroom or somewhere where they both can't get lost or hurt.. maybe dab a bit of vanilla extract just above their tails. then they'll both smell the same and it'll make the intro easier. If you see bad fighting separate them.


Let them play together and get to know one another once or twice a day for 3 or 4 days.. then clean the cage that they'll both be in completely and put them both in. Keep an eye on them though.


Some fighting is normal and just lets them work out who the alpha is out of the two of them.. if the small fights lead to injury or you think it might.. separate them and try again in a few days.
put cages so they can smell each other slowly scoot them closer until they can see and smell each other then depending on your baby rats sex Male or Female. Females are more territorial if it is a male put her in his cage or better yet let them meet on neutral ground.
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