New cage mate introduction

     So you're adding another rat to the equation and want to do things right the first time, well I'll tell you the steps to take after a 15 day quarantine your rat will be able to join his or her companions in the main enclosure but there are some things we want to try with them first.

A simple option 

if you're already adopting from a local breeder allow the rats time together in the same enclosure before they come to their forever home.  Rats who are well acquainted as they are transported will most likely be able to bond further once moved into your home. Give them time to settle in by allowing them a quiet and calm environment for the first day.  Feel free to spend time near the cage.  You can talk to them softly and friendly and offer treats if they are ready. If they become freighted go back a few steps and help them move forward again after giving some time.

Neutral Ground

Males especially will need this step for meeting any other rat unless you are trying to breed them because males have strong instincts and mark their territory or pee where ever they feel the most comfortable so they can always run back to that spot again and be calm or back track to the nest. To bring neutral ground to the rats you need to make sure the rats don't already spend time in this location, the more untouched by the rats it is the better. A new tent? Yes. A bath tub? Yes. The couch you always cuddle on? No. The clean table? I think that's even okay, but avoid any kinds of smells the rats left behind from before and you will be in the clear.

Now that I've said it lets use the table for this example. The first step is to place the neutral ground between the separate cages and move the cages together slowly over several days. Do NOT leave the cages within reach of each other because rats can grab each other through the bars and get hurt badly. When the cages have been next to each other for a couple days it is safe to open the cages and let the rats explore the neutral ground where they will officially meet but by this time they will be used to each other's smell so the intenseness of the situation fades and you are left with time to give treats and train tricks if they are in the mood. Use the neutral ground until the rats explore each others cages with the doors open. Leave them in their own cages that night and maybe for the next couple nights so to give you time to replace the bedding because when you bring the rats into a new cage they should come from a clean cage and go into a clean cage with new bedding.