Introducing Rats Together
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2024 12:40 pm
Introductions : By Marmalised Rats 
The neutral space method Guide
What is the neutral space method? This is a method used for in introductions it is where the rats are introduced in a neutral space such as a bath tub or a medium sized playpen.
In most cases low level scuffles are allowed but any large fights that may cause injury are interrupted or separated. After a length or time the rats are separated and return to their own cage. This is repeated a number of times until the rats seem disinterested in each other or become friends, they are then moved into a fully cleaned out cage and the above is repeated or if it goes well they move in permanently.
Why is it called a neutral space?
Well a space that none of the rats have visited belongs to no one so they shouldn't feel the need to defend like they would in theor own territory and allows them to build familiarity and bonds hopefully without any escalations. All of the rats are in the same situation creating an equal platform to build the group from, and importantly all rats are smelling the same similar smells so hopefully will lessen the impact of newcomers and their scent.
What are the strengths of using the neutral space method?
This can be seen as a gentler form of introductions where the rats are given the opportunity to explore and interact with each other on their own terms and behaviours can be monitored more eaislly, and any scuffles can be monitored and intervention if need can be used.
This also allows the rats the rats to be introduced over time without limiting them to smaller spaces that could lead to stress.
Any scuffles that have escalated can be dealt with easier as all rats are in the open and all rats can then be taken back to their own cages untill the next introduction allowing them to settle down.
What are the weaknesses of the neutral space method?
Introducting rats in a open space could cause some rats to feel the need to establish the hierarchy quickly and could lead to scuffles and dominance fighting quicker this along side repeated introductions and then separations can elevate stress levels. In some rats this can increasingly wind them up, making each subsequent introduction harder (so if each session is getting harder stop this method and try another form of intordcutions)
Longer introduction time than other methods this method might not be the best method for lone rat situations.
Before we go in to the method must state that there are 2 important things to bare in mind
1, If you notice when you do these repeated introductions the rats are getting more stressed stop using this method as it might not be the method for them.
2 ,If the scuffles start turning into more full on aggression that won’t be disrupted or a rat is visibly getting worked up then end the session early to give them a break. However if this continues to happen again might need to look at other methods.
How to use the neutral space method ?
1, Start off with the rats in 2 carriers or cages, make sure you have a towel, t-shirt or Any other items to hand to split up any scuffles that are getting out of hand . Next its time to pick your neutral space, This should ideally be big enough that they can move around and explore, but not so big that the rats can completely avoid each other. A table top in an unfamiliar room, a sofa, a bed, or even bath ( might be best to plave a towel or fleece in as some baths can be very slippy and could cause them to panic)
After the first introduction you could even a few interesting items, such as cardboard , wooden chew toys or similar just don’t add anything enclosed as this can lead to injuries especially if a rat is trapped and feels threatened.
You can now start to add the rats in one at a time the order you add the rats is entirety up to you though if you have a strong Alpha it might be wise to add them and the newcomers first. Once they are settled and exploring then add the others one by one and monitor for any issues and repeate untill all are added . This does to things firstly it doesn't overwhelm the newcomers and also allows you to see how the Alpha acts from start and can give you time to intervene if you need to.
Now with the neural space method some amount of fighting or minor scuffles are common you could see some pinning, heavy grooming and some chasing around, maybe some boxing, and even squeaks. It might seem like its going the wrong way though let them do this as long as it's just minor as interrupting them will stop them working things out.
You do have to be on the look out for any truly aggressive behaviour such as puffy fur, side stepping, chomping teeth. Its this aggressive behaviour and can lead into a full on fight that we are trying to avoid. Now if you do notice any aggressive behaviour don’t separate straight away, you try can to distract them firdtly buy moving around or calling them. you dont want them to hurt each othe bit you also dont want to stop them form sorting out each other postions in group the general rule of ‘No Blood, No Foul’ is a good saying to bare in mind
2, Once the rats are settled and just exploring and going about theor owm business and either ignoring each other or interacting with no aggressive behaviour you can relax a little, you should aim to give them a good hour or two, ideally long enough so they are starting to get tired and hopefully settling down to sleep they might not all sleep next to each other though if they do sleep it means theubfeel safe to do so. Once you are happy with the amount of time theybhave had togeather you now can put them back in their respective cages.
3, You now can repeat this at least daily, or a couple times a day if they are really getting along well just male sure that they have enough time to rest, eat and sleep in between.as you don't want to stress them out.
4, now after a time frame (all rats arw different so it could be a week or 2 depending on temperment and how well it's going) and the rats happy around each other or even better piling or playing with each other and you don't notice any stress or dominance playfighting you are ready to move on to a cage now just like the carrier method it is advised to start off in a smaller empty cage and then add enrichment (No closed hammocks or tubes) and then work your way up to their final cage.
5, Hopefully all being well and moving up cage sizes they should now be in their main cage togeather just make sure to have everying cleaned and neutral when you do as this will make sure they are all still on the same terms, add enrichment slowly and monitor for any issues.
Hints and Tips
● Adding items to the area such as toys and treats(make sure there is more than enough for everyone and not in one place or dish) from the first introduction can add distractions as opposed to a plain area where there is nothing to do but interact with each other.
● The time frame for this method os fluid so would it’s entirely possible that it will not take multiple attempts and rats can be successfully introduced and moved to a cage after the first meeting if no challenging behaviour has occurred and if you feel comfertable doing so.
● If you don't have any problematic/Alpha rats you are worried about you can add all rats togeather one after another though watch out for any issues if you do have any stop at that point and let settle before adding any more.
Congratulations you now should have a new bigger mischief in their new home, Hopefully this guide has been helpful this guide was created by the Modmin team with generous input from Broadwaters Rattery and Isuma Rats plus the rest of the Modmin team.
The neutral space method Guide
What is the neutral space method? This is a method used for in introductions it is where the rats are introduced in a neutral space such as a bath tub or a medium sized playpen.
In most cases low level scuffles are allowed but any large fights that may cause injury are interrupted or separated. After a length or time the rats are separated and return to their own cage. This is repeated a number of times until the rats seem disinterested in each other or become friends, they are then moved into a fully cleaned out cage and the above is repeated or if it goes well they move in permanently.
Why is it called a neutral space?
Well a space that none of the rats have visited belongs to no one so they shouldn't feel the need to defend like they would in theor own territory and allows them to build familiarity and bonds hopefully without any escalations. All of the rats are in the same situation creating an equal platform to build the group from, and importantly all rats are smelling the same similar smells so hopefully will lessen the impact of newcomers and their scent.
What are the strengths of using the neutral space method?
This can be seen as a gentler form of introductions where the rats are given the opportunity to explore and interact with each other on their own terms and behaviours can be monitored more eaislly, and any scuffles can be monitored and intervention if need can be used.
This also allows the rats the rats to be introduced over time without limiting them to smaller spaces that could lead to stress.
Any scuffles that have escalated can be dealt with easier as all rats are in the open and all rats can then be taken back to their own cages untill the next introduction allowing them to settle down.
What are the weaknesses of the neutral space method?
Introducting rats in a open space could cause some rats to feel the need to establish the hierarchy quickly and could lead to scuffles and dominance fighting quicker this along side repeated introductions and then separations can elevate stress levels. In some rats this can increasingly wind them up, making each subsequent introduction harder (so if each session is getting harder stop this method and try another form of intordcutions)
Longer introduction time than other methods this method might not be the best method for lone rat situations.
Before we go in to the method must state that there are 2 important things to bare in mind
1, If you notice when you do these repeated introductions the rats are getting more stressed stop using this method as it might not be the method for them.
2 ,If the scuffles start turning into more full on aggression that won’t be disrupted or a rat is visibly getting worked up then end the session early to give them a break. However if this continues to happen again might need to look at other methods.
How to use the neutral space method ?
1, Start off with the rats in 2 carriers or cages, make sure you have a towel, t-shirt or Any other items to hand to split up any scuffles that are getting out of hand . Next its time to pick your neutral space, This should ideally be big enough that they can move around and explore, but not so big that the rats can completely avoid each other. A table top in an unfamiliar room, a sofa, a bed, or even bath ( might be best to plave a towel or fleece in as some baths can be very slippy and could cause them to panic)
After the first introduction you could even a few interesting items, such as cardboard , wooden chew toys or similar just don’t add anything enclosed as this can lead to injuries especially if a rat is trapped and feels threatened.
You can now start to add the rats in one at a time the order you add the rats is entirety up to you though if you have a strong Alpha it might be wise to add them and the newcomers first. Once they are settled and exploring then add the others one by one and monitor for any issues and repeate untill all are added . This does to things firstly it doesn't overwhelm the newcomers and also allows you to see how the Alpha acts from start and can give you time to intervene if you need to.
Now with the neural space method some amount of fighting or minor scuffles are common you could see some pinning, heavy grooming and some chasing around, maybe some boxing, and even squeaks. It might seem like its going the wrong way though let them do this as long as it's just minor as interrupting them will stop them working things out.
You do have to be on the look out for any truly aggressive behaviour such as puffy fur, side stepping, chomping teeth. Its this aggressive behaviour and can lead into a full on fight that we are trying to avoid. Now if you do notice any aggressive behaviour don’t separate straight away, you try can to distract them firdtly buy moving around or calling them. you dont want them to hurt each othe bit you also dont want to stop them form sorting out each other postions in group the general rule of ‘No Blood, No Foul’ is a good saying to bare in mind
2, Once the rats are settled and just exploring and going about theor owm business and either ignoring each other or interacting with no aggressive behaviour you can relax a little, you should aim to give them a good hour or two, ideally long enough so they are starting to get tired and hopefully settling down to sleep they might not all sleep next to each other though if they do sleep it means theubfeel safe to do so. Once you are happy with the amount of time theybhave had togeather you now can put them back in their respective cages.
3, You now can repeat this at least daily, or a couple times a day if they are really getting along well just male sure that they have enough time to rest, eat and sleep in between.as you don't want to stress them out.
4, now after a time frame (all rats arw different so it could be a week or 2 depending on temperment and how well it's going) and the rats happy around each other or even better piling or playing with each other and you don't notice any stress or dominance playfighting you are ready to move on to a cage now just like the carrier method it is advised to start off in a smaller empty cage and then add enrichment (No closed hammocks or tubes) and then work your way up to their final cage.
5, Hopefully all being well and moving up cage sizes they should now be in their main cage togeather just make sure to have everying cleaned and neutral when you do as this will make sure they are all still on the same terms, add enrichment slowly and monitor for any issues.
Hints and Tips
● Adding items to the area such as toys and treats(make sure there is more than enough for everyone and not in one place or dish) from the first introduction can add distractions as opposed to a plain area where there is nothing to do but interact with each other.
● The time frame for this method os fluid so would it’s entirely possible that it will not take multiple attempts and rats can be successfully introduced and moved to a cage after the first meeting if no challenging behaviour has occurred and if you feel comfertable doing so.
● If you don't have any problematic/Alpha rats you are worried about you can add all rats togeather one after another though watch out for any issues if you do have any stop at that point and let settle before adding any more.
Congratulations you now should have a new bigger mischief in their new home, Hopefully this guide has been helpful this guide was created by the Modmin team with generous input from Broadwaters Rattery and Isuma Rats plus the rest of the Modmin team.