rats are fighting what should i do

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J

Jasper77

Active Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2013
Messages
31
Location
Spokane, Wa
my rats are fighting.. at first I was told by some friends, Oh, they are just playing. But the other night they really dooked it out.
I separated them temporarily. Jasper is in a very small cage, while buddy is in the larger cage.
I am moving into a smaller apartment soon so i don't think i can keep two different cages for long. Its looking like I will have to re-home one of them :sad3:
I am thinking I would re-home jasper and keep buddy, because jasper is always sooo scared I cant even ever hold him. but maybe that's because buddy is picking on him all the time.

and if i do re-home jasper what is buddy going to do about a cage mate!?

im really stuck between a rock and a hard place here, can you help me out. :thud:
 
You need to figure out who the abuser is and get him neutered!
Give it a couple of weeks after the neuter and he will be the sweetest rat ever. :)
And then you need to reintroduce them and all should be fine.

I personally neuter all of my hormonal rats and it's the best decision you can make! They are so much better neutered, they smell less, stop marking their territory and they are so sweet with you, and other rats!

I highly suggest that you DON'T separate them forever, as rats should never be kept alone! If you give Jasper away, he might have to live his whole life alone, which is not fair.
 
I agree with Mia... if your boys are anywhere between 6 and 10 months old, hormones may be kicking in... and neutering is the best relief you can offer! Then again, I am biased, as ALL my males get neutered when they move in as I am allergic to intact males. But boy o boy do I love my boys!!!! :heart:

It also can only be that they need to exercise more. Do you take them out everyday for running and exploring? Young rats need to get rid of all their energy! If you don't already have one, maybe a wheel could help - not all rats enjoy them, but some do use it a lot! In my case, I mostly had females running the wheel, some of my boys did love them too though... mostly as a sleeping area. :roll: But I did have a few boys who loved running, for sure!
 
I agree with what was said above, neuters are very helpful in treating aggressive males whose hormones are driving them crazy. Also, though, in the meantime and while you save up for a neuter if you decide to go that route, is this stuff called rescue remedy:

http://www.amazon.com/Bach-Pet-Rescue-R ... y+for+pets

Personally, I've never used it, but I'm going to buy it to keep on hand for emergencies (I plan on getting three new boys next month!) And I know there are some people on the forum who I've seen suggest it before. I know someone who uses it for their dog, and it's amazing stuff. Maybe this will help your little guy :)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
We need more info, what exactly is duking it out? It's normal for males to scuffle and not a reason to separate. Unless you see blood and gashes, I would let them work it out.
 
I agree with JoRats. For some a neuter isn't always necessary, if they just watch their rats carefully. I know it also isn't often a doable option.

However, it is extremely unfair to give away a rat after taking it in- despite some fear(skittish rats quickly warm up to you with some trust training, which you can get advice on ALL over the forum), or some fighting. It is also extremely unfair to keep a rat alone.

How are they "fighting"? If you aren't seeing blood or bad wounds, as JoRats said, they may just be establishing a hierarchy or playing, which will happen with all rats.

If you ARE seeing them seriously fight to the point of injury, then I agree that a neuter is in order.
 
It is unfair and cruel to keep a rat alone - As long as there are no bloods or serious wounds, it's not foul play.

Male rats also does tend to be more hormonal and they could be just settling some issues with all their new territories in your new home.

You can do force socialisation by having your rat on your shoulder for at least 20 - 30 minutes per day. Touch, pet, kiss and talk to him and he will get used to you soon. Some rats can be nervous about their new environment and it is understandable - I am sure you'll be so nervous and scared in a whole new place. Like the others' stated, it is so unfair to rehome just because the rat is shy or scared.

I believe that we have told you to do these in all your previous threads, but I don't think you seems to update or maybe are heeding our advices at all.
 
well i think they are fighting for real... because i separated them overnight.. and jasper is no longer afraid of being held.
and I cannot afford a neuter - i am low income i only make 710 a month on ssi
 

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