Introducing two pups to adult male

[ashfrost]

Hello everyone,

d’Artagnan’s partner passed away due to an illness a month ago. He is only a year old, and I thought I’d be best to get a friend for him. PetSmart is the only pet store near me, and they only sell baby gerbils in pairs.

I did some research and the best situation is getting one baby and pairing it with the older gerbil. Although, two baby gerbils could work as well. Since PerSmart could only give me both babies, I thought I’d give it a try.

I had to wait a couple days to get a 10 gallon tank, so in that meantime, I split my 55 gallon tank. d’Artagnan was very aggressive to the babies at first. Once I got them in the 10 gallon tank and split the cage, now one of the babies is aggressively charging at the screen when he sees d’Artagnan and is trying to attack him. d’Artagnan is now more relaxed with the babies and will sleep in their nests. The other more submissive baby sleeps in d’Artagan’s nest, but the more aggressive one will not. The more submissive baby tries to groom d’Artagnan through the screen, then the other baby comes by and pushes him out of the way and tries to attack d’Artagnan.

It’s been 5 days and I’m not sure what happened. I’m worried that this introduction isn’t going to work. Are the babies too bonded now? Why is this baby being aggressive? He is at max 8 weeks old.

I know it’s still early days, but I am just stressed about this situation and thought I’d come here and see what everyone’s thoughts are. I can potentially bring the babies back to PetSmart as long as it is in the 14 day period.

By the way, they do not have any thing to mark or scent gland other than their water bottles. The older one would mark, but as of late he hasn’t been doing that.

[ashfrost]

I guess I am also wondering if I should be doing anything differently. I switch them out 2-3 times a day and spot clean very little bedding. There is a mesh wire between them so they can see each other. I am worried the babies are not going to get lonely since they have one another.

[ashfrost]

Anyone have any advice to give me on this situation? The little one still is exhibiting this behavior and they have been in a split cage for a week now.

[gerbilwerbil]

We are new to gerbils and I posted some questions about reintroducing our two male 4 month old gerbils. I’m following your updates and comparing it to my observations about our two.

We have been switching their sides 3 times a day, and they just settle right into the next on each side. They just sniff each other through the mesh and don’t interact a lot. Not much scent marking or foot drumming seen either.

[ashfrost]

I think those are good signs! I hope it goes well for you and I’ll give updates on mine!

They have been together a week now and sometimes my adult gets excited when he is switched, but they both rest in their nests. They don’t interact a lot, but when the more “aggressive” baby sees my gerbil, he pauses and then starts biting the mesh to get at him. I’m not sure if it’s aggressive or if he’s trying to groom, but my adult just stares at him with his eyes a bit squinted when it happens.

I have tried looking online if squinting or staring is an aggressive behavior, but I have had no such luck. I just hope they get along, but I’m not sure if the babies have already established a clan or not.

[betty]

It is difficult to say if the behaviour of the 'agressive' one is just desire for the attention of an adult or not ashfrost. How old did you say the pups were - was it under 8 weeks? If they are under 8 weeks they usually don't know what a clan is yet - they just desire adult attention and cuddles usually - which is what makes for an easy split.

The fact that your older guy is ignoring them is great - as long as he is able to bat down all the energy of the boisterous one when they meet - the intro at least should go well.

I am always a bit cautious with 2 to 1 intros, and the potentially aggitated state of one pup might have me watching them more closely as they get to around the 6 month mark and becomes a proper 'man'.

But, saying that - many trios get on absolutly just fine their entire lives - so we all have our fingers crossed for them.