Sudden Aggressive Ratty - Help!

Hi guys,

I hope no one minds me posting as I'm new, but I'm in need of some advice as I'm a bit shaken and upset by whats happened!

Me and my partner, Ben brought home two lovely baby rats two weeks ago called Oogie and Finkel, they are now 10 weeks old, or so the breeder told us. They've both been so wonderful so far.

Finkel we've noticed, over the past two days has grown much bigger than Oogie, and seems to be the dominant cage mate, but other than a bit of forced grooming its all been dandy. Finkel is much more confident and Oogie is a lot shyer.

Last night, I opened the cage to let them out and noticed that Finkel wouldn't let me stroke him like normal, but thought nothing of it. Once they were both out, Finkel started being a bit cheeky, so my partner picked him up, (gently) and went to turn him over. He freaked out, and bit him several times, which I can understand to be honest, as he thinks he's top rat at the moment and didnt like this. Once Ben put him back on the sofa, he ran straight over to my arm, and unprovoked, attacked and bit my arm quite savagely! We let him go back into his cage, and shut him away for about 15 minutes. I then let him out again, and brought him to the sofa, where he then went straight for my other arm and bit me continuously until my partner managed to get him off me! Once on the floor he was running after Ben's feet to attack them and once back in the cage he was grooming aggressively like I've never seen before, and digging, which I imagine was him marking his territory etc.

I am sure this is hormonal not fear hence the seeking out to bite, but it was such a quick flip from lovely rat that I am so shaken and scared to socialize with him again, especially as the attacks on me were when I was sitting completely still! I'm not far off from needing stitches on one of the bites.

I obviously still love him to pieces, but has anyone experienced this? Or any idea what was going on? I am looking into getting him neutered, but if I neuter him will Oogie start having trouble as an un-neutered rat, or shall I just wait and see? Is this too young for such aggression? I thought it started later than this! And how can I tell him he's not top rat, or do I just let him rule the roost?

Thanks guys... Sorry for the ramble

Wow, 10 weeks old and exhibiting hormonal aggression is not good. The youngest I have seen it start (just warning signs not full out aggression) is 3.5-4 mo. Your breeder needs to know this as an ethical breeder should be working on temperament and health before any patterns or colors. They might need to watch the line or even end it as this is not a good thing at all


As for your lad, a neuter will do wonders for him and for you and his brother.

Is he showing classic signs of puffed up fur, hunched posture, digging with front paws, rubbing his sides against things, chasing his brother in the cage, chattering his teeth after an episode? When he bit you did he climb over your arm and start biting and huffing? If you answer yes to more than one of these signs you have a hormonal boy who desperately needs a neuter

I'm betting your little guy is closer to 12 weeks which would be the right time for a hormonally charged rat to lose control. Becoming aggressive at this age is very BAD breeding. I would definitely call the breeder and inform her of this. If she's got any morals, she will stop breeding that line.
Your little guy's behaviour is not common but it's also not rare. I've been through it and a neuter has always made it better. It takes away the stresses of those hormones and they become sweet again. I wouldn't worry about the other one. There's no reason to think that he might become aggressive afterwards.
The problem with pack leaders and all that nonsense is that it's nonsense. We can never be top rat because we are humans. But we can teach our rats to accept our friendship with patience, love and care. I encourage you to visit joinrats.com they have awesome advice on how to deal with trust training and aggressive issues as well.

Thank you so much guys..

My friend recommended me the breeder she used as she got her now 5 month olds from her. She was pretty happy with the fact that one of mine was a really rare blue. Whilst we were there picking up my two, my friend took another one home to join the two she already had. The breeder was all sweetness and light saying it would be fine and to call if she had any problems and she would take the new little one back. Que lots of fighting and blood and my friend finally asked her for some advice and she basically accused her of mistreating them and she shouldn't have done that in the first place, when she said it would be OK!

One of the original two my friend has have also ripped her finger open to the bone, after the new little one brought out his hormonal change, so this seems to be a huge concern. I will definitely tell her, but she has turned out to be not someone I will not be having any more ratty dealings with. So upsetting.

We will both be having our aggressive ratties neutered. Thank you for confirming. Yes, mine has been digging and puffing and all that jazz, and yes, I think he was on top of my arm when he was biting. I'll just keep covered up for now and allow him to come to me first until its sorted. I am still so nervous so will have to work on that!

This is why I chose to ask on a forum instead of reading lots of things Google threw up, we will move forward with them as equals not trying to dominate. I am looking forward to getting my sweet babies back again as I am sure he is in there somewhere!

Wow, even if the breeder is not very approachable, it might do some good by telling her. Even if she's rude or defensive about it, she just might be detered from further breeding this line.

I rescued four young boys in Feb. One boy began biting a few weeks after I got them home. Softly, but displaying hormonal issues as per lilspaz's advice. Back was arched, paws out in front etc. I got him neutered and he was much better after a few months. I would definitely recommend getting both boys neutered though no question. Because my neutered boy is often pestered by his brothers sniffing around down there and it really bugs him sometimes. I'd get the other three neutered but I can't risk the surgery, spare the money and I'm terrified of losing them to surgery. the problem is no way severe enough to take the risk, but with two, I would absolutely get both neutered to avoid any unfair disadvantages.

Bennett (my neutered boy) really gave me lots of sleepless nights when he began biting and I was unsure and worried he would ever be the happy rat I hoped he would be. I've had a biter before and it was a nightmare and I couldn't bear the thought of being afraid of something I loved and wanted to give a happy life to. But he came through it and the removal of his nads done him the world of good. He's such a precious little quirky thing. I can't imagine my life without him at all! I think I love him even more, because he was so brave with the surgery and he's come so far. I just love him to pieces! Plus, it's super adorable the way they get really super soft, shiny fur after a neuter lol. They will feel as soft as a kitten! I love Bennett's fur!

Good luck, I'm sure it'll all work out after you get those nads off!

Thank you!

That's very sweet, and a lovely story! I am glad it all turned out OK and it's nice to feel like there's hope! I was completely devastated thinking the same thing as you, what if he wont let me love him when that's all I want to do!

I will neuter him first I think, as I do think that jorats is right, and that the breeder lied and he is older than Oogie. He is still so tiny! I won't discount the fact that Oogie might have to be done as well, but we'll cross that bridge if/when its needed

We can advise how to deal with your hormonal lad until the hormones dissapate after the neuter, so its safer for you, and less stressful for him.

Don't touch his rump or lower back...ever. This is where another male will attack and bite and with hormones they bite first, then...well bite some more :/

Once those eyes go flat and glittery, watch him carefully. Don't push him away, as he might come "hunting" for you (he's already done this with you), and its best for you to be the one that leaves the area until he calms down a bit. if he's out, watch your feet, as a bad bite to the foot is super painful, and they will crawl over your foot and attempt to dominate it like he did your hand or arm. I have done some ballerina type leaps and jigs to get away from a determined hormonal male before. Just be aware of his body language as best as you can, figure out his triggers, and leave him alone when he's raging. I often had to use a towel to pick up a raging rat to put them back in after Out time. Its hard to socialize a hormonal male so wait until he's neutered and it will be much easier on all of you. Some males take 2 weeks to return to normal, others can take 3-4 and others even longer. Just go slow, be careful with your hands and be aware of where he is during Out time.

Thank you so much! Thats exactly what I was looking for! We're first time ratty owners so it's a learning curve for us, even though we did do our homework before there are some things that you just don't expect, I guess!

We will arrange a neuter ASAP next week! We have a good vet that specialises in exotic animals which rats fall under I guess, in the UK anyway.

My partner works shift work, so we will let them have play time whenever we have an evening together over the next few days, but wear shoes! I was getting anxious about letting them out on my own tonight, but Finkel is being quite dominant in his cage, rubbing, digging and licking himself and attacking his cardboard tube so I am definitely leaving him be. He also has a tiny bit of porphyrin round his nose, so it's probably a good thing we're off to the vets.

Is this sort of aggressive behaviour in the cage normal? It's upsetting to watch

Your boy is just all messed up right now, a teenager on steroids. The sooner he says goodbye to his gonads, the better.
I am sorry you are having this experience with your first rats! Most rats are really quite sweet and never bite. Don't lose faith - many an evil rat has been transformed into a sweetheart with a neuter. And don't worry if there is not a change right away. Some rats need a couple of months to settle back down. Hang in there, rats really make great pets, honest!

Aw, thanks.. I know we'll get there eventually! This thread has been so reassuring, it's been a bit stressful because it was such a sudden change but it'll be so rewarding when they've settled down

The vet has said they can neuter at the end of this coming week hopefully, so I'll keep you updated

I'm just going to leave a couple of pictures of my little beans a couple of weeks ago







Finkel is the top eared, and Oogie is the dumbo

Handsome boys :heart:
Finkel does look older than Oogie - maybe it's just the shape of his face...

You are very fortunate to have an experienced vet who specializes in exotics.
Many vets do not know how to safely operate on rats.
Here is a link to some info that may be helpful, if only for peace of mind
http://www.ratshackforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7691

all the best to you and the boys

They are super adorable!

Joanne - yes, he's a proper ratty face isnt he!

Thanks for the info, that is very useful. We have a neuter booked in for next Wednesday. I'm nervous, but also can't wait as we can't really handle them at the moment and I want a cuddle!

I'll keep you all updated