Preventing cagemate barbering

[Raspberry]

Hi everyone,

One of my rats likes to barber the other rats. She only pulls out hair and there is never any irritation or injury, however I really don't like it. We have tried lots of strategies (e.g. having lots of chew toys available, increasing the number of hides so the barbered rats can get away, plenty of free range time), however it doesn't seem to help.

Does anyone have any strategies that they have used to stop barbering in the past?

 

[lilspaz68]

Sadly barbering is a compulsion, and its very hard to distract from. Its not from boredom, its more like chewing fingernails. Its not harmful at least, just annoying and can look unsightly. Weirdly the compulsion to barber can disappear on its own and we don't know why.