Two Rats With No Cagemate in Southern California

Hi everyone. This is going to take a bit of backstory, but here’s a TLDR beforehand.

TLDR; I have two rats who each lost a cage mate and do not get along with each other. Should I look into rehoming them with a more experienced rat caregiver?

This all started when my partner’s roommate “Jake” got a pair of rats: Dio & Booker. They were brothers who came from a local breeder, and were very well taken care of. Dio unfortunately developed a respiratory infection and passed away, leaving Booker all alone.

Jake decided to get Booker a new cage mate who he named Kars. But through many attempts at slow & gradual introductions, they simply didn’t get along. So, they lived in separate cages. When Jake decided he would move to another state, he asked if I could take them in, which I happily did.

Booker & Kars lived in separate cages for the first month or so they were with me. I eventually got them to live together, but it wasn’t at all easy. Few months go by, and Booker (like his brother) developed a respiratory infection and died in my hands.

This left Kars all alone. I didn’t have a full-time job at the time, so it was about 4-5 months before I had the funds to get him new cage mates. I’m not proud of that length of time he was left alone, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the reason he has grown extremely aggressive toward other rats.

I got a bonded pair of rats (Arthur & Dutch) from a local shelter. They lived in a separate cage from Kars. The first couple weeks, Kars’ cage was on top of theirs. Then, they were next to each other. Then, a little closer. Finally we tried a neutral space; first the bathtub and then the play pen. Neither ever showed progress. I was truly trying my hardest to do this correctly & safely. But no matter what, Kars simply never warmed up to them.

Arthur passed yesterday due to a tumor under his left ear. He was miserable and I’m relieved he is no longer in pain. This now leaves two lonely rats: Dutch in one cage, and Kars in another.

I’m so torn. I love my boys so much, but I know how crucial it is for them to be social with other rats. I also don’t want to continue trying to force a bond if I don’t have to.

I’m truly open to any and all suggestions here. My boys mean so much to me and even though I can’t see it on their faces, I know they’re lonely and need a friend.

Kars (M) ~ 2y 3mo

Dutch (M) ~ 1y 10mo