Lissy
Member
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
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