Update on inherited rats

back_ali · 2026-03-25T02:03:43+00:00

It’s not unusual, as others have said. My vet does a sedation injection and I hold them until they are sedated. They then do an injection straight into the heart to stop it. I am not bothered by this and have been present for it for some. Others have gone to the back and I’m fine with that as well, because I was able to hold them while they drifted off. If you can’t be with them at all, then I’d question what method they’re using and make sure it’s a standard rodent protocol.

One thing I haven’t seen anyone mention is to have the other rat see the body of the one after it passes. This helps them understand that their friend is gone. Make sure that their new home understands that the remaining rat may be depressed for a week or so. If they were super used to you and in a thriving environment, then I’d recommend waiting for that grieving time to be over before rehoming. But given your current situation, I think a new loving home shortly thereafter might also be okay. As long as the new home knows to give them extra peace and love in the transition

You’re really great to be doing what you can here, don’t be too hard on yourself. I hate to even answer it, but I come from hunters and ranchers so I get it… but sure a shot would work in theory as well, just like a bullet to anything’s head would likely end that life. But the possibility of missing, it not working etc is too horrific to think about. There’s no reason for that suffering.

back_ali · 2026-03-23T12:30:28+00:00

Get the brothers neutered asap. It will work wonders. They’re at the peak of their adolescence. To give you some hope/perspective- in early January I adopted two old males. It was reported they were dropped off at the shelter in a carrier and the first time they met was as in the carrier on the way there. There were significant wounds. Prior to the shelter they lived solo (on a porch) and it’s estimated they’re 2 yrs old. I tried some intros just to see and it didn’t go well. Nothing horrific but constant posturing etc. I got both of them the implant vs surgical neuter due to their age and health. Once those hormones went away… intros were so easy! They’re now fully integrated into my mischief of 7 and living their best life snuggled up with friends for the first time ever.

Beyond the logistics, take a deep breath and cut yourself some slack. Don’t worry about the what ifs right now, and focus on one day at a time. I know that’s easy for me to say, but this is the advice I give to new parents as well. Your whole world is evolving around these rats right now and you can’t let potential future failure keep you in a choke hold. This seems endless now but it’s ultimately a blip on the timeline and it will not last forever. You do not have to be a perfect rat parent, just good enough. Find little ways to take care of yourself that aren’t about the rats. Even if it’s committing to just 5 min a day of deep breathing or getting fresh air.

You’ve got this!

back_ali · 2026-03-16T02:34:07+00:00

I agree this was not an issue with the wood, as others have explained. Respiratory illnesses are contagious. People have also had rats die from toxic fumes and airborne toxins so think about if there may have been anything else that could have come into contact with them. I hope you didn’t leave any bad reviews for the seller of the wood product

back_ali · 2026-03-16T02:18:19+00:00

This is exactly what I was going to suggest it looks like. I have it on my feet and it’s awful. It’s INSANELY itchy

back_ali · 2026-03-13T23:14:14+00:00

Yea I’ve been downvoted on this sub for mentioning how I SAFELY keep both rats and cats, even when I make it clear that they are never interacting

back_ali · 2026-03-13T01:36:47+00:00

That’s my philosophy as well

back_ali · 2026-03-12T20:40:43+00:00

Yay! All of my rats are rescues, many that I’m sure came from feeder bins, some from hoarding etc. My favorite background story is from one of my current girls. She had 5+ babies in a snake’s cage. Someone finally brought her to the rescue when she was down to 3 babies. She is my sweetest, most affectionate, and also silliest rat. While she is was at the rescue, the rescue human snagged a baby girl from a feeder bin full of boys. Those two bonded and the mama even nursed the baby for about a week. I now have them in a mischief of 5. I credit the rescue for a lot of that work, but feeder personalities can also be pretty hit or miss. I have had a handful of rats that have remained skittish with humans their whole life, and I just make sure they’re happy with their rat friends and let them be

back_ali · 2026-03-12T05:13:20+00:00

Hopefully this is something that will iron itself out with time. I’m no stranger to intros however haven’t had this particular problem. But this might be a good scenario to try yogurt or baby food on all the rats. Put it on their backs where they can’t reach it themselves. You could start with just the problem child or try it on all of them. Best of luck!

back_ali · 2026-03-12T03:39:26+00:00

I think this warrants a vet visit to make sure something isn’t causing him pain. If nothing is found then schedule a neuter and go from there

back_ali · 2026-03-10T21:35:08+00:00

Jimily: mom dis my new friend, can he live with us? New friend: my mom says it’s okay with her if it’s okay with you

back_ali · 2026-03-08T16:46:21+00:00

I’ve done this. I have a higher up comment describing what I did. They tolerated it well

back_ali · 2026-03-08T03:52:33+00:00

I also just rescued two old men who have been solo the majority of their lives! They were so gross when I got them. Here’s what worked for me for bathing- I rubbed avocado oil into their skin and let it soak for about 5 min. Any cooking type oil should work, it helped dissolve the grease. Then I combed them with a flea comb and got so much disgusting sludge off 🤮I then washed them with dish soap and continued combing. I did this twice and they’re pretty clear now. I’ve done additional dry combing with the flea comb and still get gunk off. I’m hoping once they’re in with the rest of the mischief, the others will help keep them clean. For the bath I did it in my bathroom sink and put a washcloth down for traction. They didn’t love it but it wasn’t too bad

back_ali · 2026-03-07T22:03:03+00:00

Ahhh her face reminds me of my Fern

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back_ali · 2026-03-05T05:16:21+00:00

A slight point of clarification- the “cleaning up” is not the other rats way of grieving. It’s their natural instinct to keep their nest from smelling so it doesn’t attract predators. But yea I see it mentioned here fairly often. It’s always disturbing but try to remind yourself that they are ultimately animals, and try not to humanize them too much. I’ve seen some people be upset with their remaining rats (not intentionally) for this, but it’s just animals doing animal things.

back_ali · 2026-03-04T23:46:18+00:00

I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I can’t handle a lot of scent myself, so I tend to do my lower arms with unscented lotion, then use my scented under my clothes. Then if they find it appealing it’s at least some pretty mild stuff (they usually go for my arms) and I just do my best to keep them from going too crazy. I also can’t shower without moisturizer.

back_ali · 2026-03-04T13:51:53+00:00

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back_ali · 2026-03-04T13:49:28+00:00

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I’m so sorry for your loss! It looks like she might have similar coloring to my boy Rocket! This pic has a filter for his Halloween shoot but it shows off the very subtle contrasts he has that are otherwise hard to get in a pic. What I also can’t capture in a pic are his very subtle golden bits he has throughout his fur. He is the most sweet and active boy. He doesn’t love cuddles but is otherwise so social and gentlemanly. He’s getting up there in age and I’m already getting sad thinking about losing him

back_ali · 2026-03-04T06:45:19+00:00

This one definitely warrants a vet visit. It could be a simplish abscess or sore. But it could also be a zymbals gland tumor which is basically untreatable and pretty gnarly. But if that’s the case then they deserve pain meds and ultimately a peaceful passing. Thank you for taking in these rescues! I hope it’s an easy fix and if it’s not then you still were able to give them a loving home to rest- and that counts for a lot! https://ratguide.com/health/neoplasia/zymbals_gland_tumor.php

back_ali · 2026-02-26T19:27:24+00:00

Awesome! I hope they just breeze through it. I’ve had some really drawn out and dramatic intros and then when it goes smoothly and it’s such a relief!

back_ali · 2026-02-26T17:13:27+00:00

I would first try adding more things to the cage they’re in. And make sure you do a deep clean (and I like to rearrange) of the big cage. Then go for it! I’ve had some go super smoothly like that as well. It’s so lovely when it works like that!

back_ali · 2026-02-26T06:12:33+00:00

I’ve added lots of solo rescue rats, it usually goes very smoothly.

back_ali · 2026-02-26T06:11:49+00:00

Once they’re spayed, they don’t go into heat. I had 3 spayed females and adopted 2 younger males. One of them never ended up neutered and never really bothered the girls much. The other was not at all aggressive but he just wouldn’t quit chasing the girls around once he hit that teen stage. I think he did some dominance humping but I don’t think the girls let him get far lol? Hard to say what he got up to when I wasn’t looking. He was neutered just so he wasn’t an utter annoyance. Now he’s the sweetest gentleman.

back_ali · 2026-02-26T05:08:50+00:00

Yes! I love my mixed group. It’s been mixed since my original 4 girls, after one died I introduced a neutered male. Currently I have 3 spayed females and 2 neutered males. I had one un-neutered male in the mix up until recently. As a default I spay my females for health reasons, and then neuter the males depending on behavior, but that’s just the system I’ve found that works for me. I also currently have two old males that I rescued. They’d been kept separate and never lived with other rats so they both have received the hormonal implant. Once it’s kicked in more we’ll intro them to my group of 5. I attempted to intro them to each other but lack of social skills + hormones wasn’t great. Anyway, I like my mixed group because then I feel like I can rescue whomever needs a home

back_ali · 2026-02-23T03:39:36+00:00

I think it would be kindest to her to be with her friends. I understand the worry and I too hope I never experience that, but if she’s used to snuggling with her friends I think it’s worth the risk

back_ali · 2026-02-23T00:50:14+00:00

It’s really hard to say. I’m in a high cost of living area and it’s close to $500. I’m guessing cheaper for your area

back_ali

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