I have two 4-month old female rats. In a very unexpected freak accident yesterday, one of my girls, Kael, suddenly passed away. I am very distressed at her death, especially as I watched her sister Alar have to spend her first night ever alone. I have been trying to give Alar special care today, but she has been acting really strange. She used to be the more laid back one who enjoyed sitting on my shoulder or in a pocket. However, since her sister went missing, Alar has not been able to calm down. She runs around crazily and constantly looks like she is looking for something. Because it was a freak accident, I did not let Alar see her sister's dead body because I was worried the blood would greatly distress her. Therefore, I don't think Alar even knows that Kael died, just disappeared randomly. I would like to get her another friend, but will not be able to do so until January. Is there anything I can do for Alar right now? It is really difficult to watch her search endlessly for her sister to no avail. I already know to give her extra attention and love, but is there anything more concrete I can do?
hi, my first advice would be to immediately get her a friend...ratties gain great comfort from their own kind
but if you cant immediately then that is too bad, and sad because she will need to have someone with her
ratties are very intelligent, said to be more so than dogs...they can come to their name and can learn to do many tricks and obey many verbal commands...they have metacognition, like us, and they think about things...they also have episodic memory, so they can remember specific events and things and for a considerable time too, so your little ratty will not just forget her cage mate
GameFAQs: Mother 3 (GBA) Story Translation by spookychee::
If the original inventor of the word wants credit, please send me an email. Sorry I couldnt help you out earlier. had never known grief like this.
http://www.gamefaqs.com/portable/gbadvance/file/914622/42740HOME |
9x02 Ad Noctum - Fox & Rat Virtual Series::
Monica watches carefully out the front window to help keep a lookout for wild Is this self-sacrifice for the sole purpose of saving their lives right now,
http://www.foxandrat.com/S9/9x02.phpHOME |
but when you do get her another cage mate then that cagemate, although it cant completely replace her lost sister, it can interest her in interacting and social play and connection and that is very important to her future life and wellbeing
the best thing you can do right now is keep Alar with you as much as possible..she will be pining company if she is left alone and could develop depression....good luck with it :D
Get another rat.
She will soon become friends with that one and her mind will be taken away from it.
make sure you look up how to introduce them to eachother.
http://ratguide.com/care/behavior/introd...
thats a great site!
If there's anything (toys, bedding, etc) that Kael was really attached to (thus, would have her scent on), keep it with Alar. It is best under any circumstance to allow the surviving animal to see the body, but keeping her scent around (especially with something Alar could snuggle/sleep with) is important. I've read, too, that animals recognize not only their own names but their companion's name (and judging by my ferts it's true). Some recommend saying the deceased pet's name when talking to the other animal (that way, they say, the animal knows that you know something's different). Also, talk and repeat the surviving pet's name in soft, positive tones.
Some of this may sound silly, but it's what a lot of pet owners do to alleviate/reduce depression (especially as certain animals can grieve to death).
Hope this helps and sorry about your little girl.
do rats enjoy balls or running wheels!
I'm no expert but I hope I helped!!!!
I'm sorry about your loss :/ Rats are very social, and so many of them can become distressed or even depressed when losing a cagemate. You may want to consider getting her another friend, and introducing them after quarantine: http://www.bruxnboggle.com/forum/viewtop...
It won't make her forget Kael, but it will help her to move on and have somebody else to look forward to.
Alar needs closure, let her see the body. But she might go into depression:
keep her busy with toys and try to get her a new companion soon, theyre only 6 dollars:)
Wow, talk about anthropomorphizing... That's deep. Take a Xanax.
Alar will adjust pretty soon. Even if she had seen Kael's body, that wouldn't have clarified the situation for her. She's just a young rat, not familiar with the concept of death.
As I said, she will adjust, probably sooner than you will. You are doing just fine by giving her plenty of attention.
You might want to get some homeopathinc "Ignatia" from the health food store: give some to Alar and some for yourself. It's harmless and non-toxic, and you can't OD on it.
 Where's The Advantage In Windows Genuine Advantage?
 Stocks Bounce After S&P Joins Bear Market
|
My grieving rat is freaking out. Please help?