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 #1503978


AW love da iggys
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 Help with aggressive rat

i’m going to post this on the pet forum too, but i figured there might be some rat breeders on here who can help,, i have 3 pet rats, males, who up until a week ago got along fine, i went away for vacation, came back a week later, and my hairless is all scratched up, and half the weight he was when i left.. he’s been in iso for 3 days, and is almost totally healed up, gaining weight fast.. i had one of my other rats out, and noticed that under all his fur, he had several nips and bad bites.. my third rat( the newest, youngest and largest) is untouched. i dont want to keep them seperated for too long, they need playmates.. is there a way to tell which male is being the aggressor? and what can i do to keep the fighting down? right now there are 2 different sleeping houses, lots of toys, tunnels, food and treats.. any suggestions would be great, they are all fine when they are out playing together, and none of them has shown any aggression to me.
11/06/07  05:19pm

 #1504667


Frankykeno
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   Message To: AW love da iggys   In reference to Message Id: 1503978


 Help with aggressive rat

How long were you away and who was caring for them?
11/07/07  05:56am

 #1504748


AW love da iggys
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   Message To: Frankykeno   In reference to Message Id: 1504667


 Help with aggressive rat

i was gone for a week, and my husband was watching them
11/07/07  08:39am

 #1505985


Frankykeno
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   Message To: AW love da iggys   In reference to Message Id: 1504748


 Help with aggressive rat

It could be that a sharp change in routine upset their social structure enough to cause a bit of fighting. All rats, males or females, box and wrestle and constantly test that structure of dominance and submission in their colony. Hairless are going to show more injuries because they lack the protection of a thick coat to keep the other rats nips and claw scratches at bay.

You may need to carefully reintroduce the boys. Make sure their cage is truly big enough for 3 males. Clean the cage completely, replacing all the bedding etc. Put in the rat that is most submissive first so he can lay down his scent, then the next up, then the last. Give each rat time to say hello and provide their favorite treats in good quantity so they are distracted by food and don’t have to fight over it. Watch them carefully for a few days to see if they’ve settled back down again. If not you may have to make other permanent arrangements for one or two of them.
11/08/07  07:00am


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