Instructions
Wait until the new female is at least 12 weeks of age before introducing it to your original female. Mature females can be impatient with young rats.
Place your new female rat's cage next to your original rat's cage to enable the rats to see one another and get used to one another's scent. During this time, ensure that the new female is settling in well by checking that it is eating and drinking.
Introduce the rats on neutral territory to prevent your original female from feeling that it needs to protect its territory from an intruder. Do this only once the new female has settled into its new home. Ensure that the space you choose is safe and secure. A bathtub is ideal. Place newspaper over the floor of your bathtub and place both rats inside. Supervise the rats and spray them both with water from a plant spraying bottle if they fight. Remember that wrestling may appear rough, but is a form of play and is acceptable behavior. Repeat this exercise on a daily basis until the rats bond with one another.
Clean out and disinfect the cage that you want the rats to live in together. This creates a neutral territory. Place both rats in the cage and supervise to ensure that they are getting along well.
How to Get Two Female Rats to Get Along
Rats are extremely social animals that require the companionship of other rats to live a happy and fulfilled life, according to the National Fancy Rat Society. This is because even if you are the most devoted owner, you will be unable to fill the role of a companion rat, which involves using rat communication, using your teeth for grooming and engaging in play throughout the night. A pair of rats will generally be more affectionate to you as they will compete for your attention. If you have a single female rat, it is not too late to introduce a same-gender friend for your pet.