Hyperactivity and bossiness

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Meleigh

New Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2020
Messages
1
Location
New York
I brought home two adolescent males from a pet store on Monday. I am guessing they are a month old. The smaller, less aggressive one (Master Splinter) is perfect. Cuddly, calm, affectionate, well behaved. But his brother (Professor Ratigan) is hyper and bossy. He's much bigger than Splinter and, while he is tame and obviously hand raised, he is just very pushy and aggressive. When I first brought him home he was very calm. Since he has been getting outs and treats he has taken on this greedy personality and has become antisocial and only interested in treats and outs. And he'll grab all the fruit or veggies I put out, hide them under the file cabinet, then go hangout under the couch alone. When I pick him up he digs at my fingers to put him back down. But Splinter chills out and will even jump back in the cage all by himself, or onto my lap (or my 5yr old daughter's lap). Should I take away treats until he shows better behavior? He's not stressed. He's just being a brat. He is playful with his brother and never stops eating. Should I give him less outs or confine him to a smaller space? He's already a little chubby so I want him to run. I have had mice, hampsters, and rabbits but this is my first time owning rats. I can't find the information I'm looking for on the internet. :/
 

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Rats have their own unique personalities. I would continue to treat them both the same way and enjoy who they are. They are very young still so they will grow and learn with you.
 
He's actually been much better. It only took 2 days for him to learn that I don't want him under the couch. I gently nudged him out with the swifter and now he stays on the clear side of the room either under the file cabinet or in a obstacle course I built for them out of Amazon boxes. He also loves to wrestle and has been coming to us for play. I think he may have just been bored.
 

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Welcome to the forum! Tour ratties are very cute:)

They are young babies. Hopefully at least 6 to 8 weeks old because if they are only a month old then they should still be with their mama

Babies and young rats will want to run and explore and climb and play, not be held. They do start to slow down when they hit middle age. They need a rat safe play area where they can not get into anything that could harm them or that you do not want them to get into/pee on/chew.

Reward behaviour you like but never use punishment.
I have found that kumut puffs (an natures path organic cereal with no additives) makes a good treat in addition to berries or a piece of fruit.

Please see the Reference Thread for good info REFERENCE Thread - Read Only and you may also find joinrats.com to be helpful
 
I give fresh fruit and/or veggies daily, that's why I was asking. Is it too much? I use bananas, sunflower seeds, or uncooked pasta for treats. Rattigan was a little chubby when I got him and he's definitely acting spoiled. Splinter is ideal. Maybe I'm just overreacting because he's so cool.
 
I just don't want to have to treat Splinter differently because Rattigan is being a greedy little turd. I end up putting them back in the cage sometimes just because he's acting up. And I'm worried about his weight already so now Splinter won't get as many treats. I swear they are like competitive toddlers.
 
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