Barbering after losing sister

[RatPack1118]

One of our three rats recently passed leaving behind her two sisters. Since then, our largest girl has been chewing behind her sister's ears more than usual. The chewed one is missing long streaks of fur from behind her ears to her shoulders on both sides. There was some mild barbering before, but our vet wasn't concerned. Now the bald patches are growing fast.
Any ideas on how to stop this? Or whether it can or should be stopped? There are no scabs or scratches, the skin is pink and healthy. They still sleep and play together. I don't want the smaller girl to be hurt but I also don't want to separate them when they are so old and just lost their sister.

 

[lilspaz68]

It's just a new compulsion, there's nothing you can do but try to distract her with more different Out time, new toys, rearranging the cage etc. It's harmless but unsightly. Oddly enough sometimes the rat who barbers will just stop over time.