Rat fighting help

[Wild Turkey]

Figured Id fire away with this one here before I visit the rat forums. No offense to them but I avoid them at all costs. :hmm3grin2orange:

3 girls. The youngest one (Shadow) has been chewing on Shivas ear. Pretty badly. I tried "tsssting" them for the first day. No effect except Shiva lost a nice little chink of her ear. I separated them by putting shadow in a ten gal with a mesh hood I had lying around. I was planning on letting shivas ear heal ( a week?) and then reintroducing them to see if Shadow either forgets about it or changes her behavior (she is not happy about being alone).

Wondering if anyone else has any ideas/experiences

[HorrorShowRot]

Are the rats the same size? I had a bully rat. he was about 2 inches bigger then the others and was FAT. He would bite and scratch just to be mean. Also it could be the rat itself some of them are born to not like other rats has the problem happened before or has it just started happening?

[HorrorShowRot]

To heal just disinfect the wound. I use warm water not boiling and add salt. It should clear out any bacteria that would cause an infection keep the rat seperate for a few days and then she should be fine to go duke it out some more. But just watch them closely incase the other one attacks. I have actually given my rat crap and he listened so I hope it will work in your case. If you need more help just drop me a line in a PM so it is easier for me to see.

[Wild Turkey]

Yea when i say i "tssst" her thats what i mean, giving her crap for it like you would a dog. In some instances it works, this time no avail though

I used neosporin (sp) on the ear yesterday, first thing that came to mind since I apply it to my hairless one alot. (that thing is so high maintenance)

She seems depressed to be herself which I kind of expected. Im hoping the separation does something to change her attitude, wishful thinking?

She is the smallest one surprisingly, and somewhat of a trouble maker.

[HorrorShowRot]

It probably would. I have never done seperating myself because I only had 2 and they fought for the first couple days but then they just stopped. What I would normally do is hit the one on the nose. Not hard just to let her no its bad.

[HorrorShowRot]

But if you keep her in there for a bit she will probably be "happier" and wont be as mean when she gets out. But it could go either way.

[Gayle]

Well its just like with anything, one has to assert dominance over the others. Once dominance is established, there will be small spats here and there to keep everyone in line, but it should be more peaceful. When ever you have more than one of the same sex there will be struggles to be the alpha. Typically the way that they prove who is boss is to get the other down on there back and hold them there. You can try to so this to the bully if you wish, it may knock her down a few notches.

Keep the ear cleaned with warm water and mild soap. You can apply neosporin as you are doing. It should heal within a week. But will not grow back.

[chel]

Yah, I know what you mean about the rat forums.

Here are a couple idea, all of which you might know ... sometimes it helps to thoroughly clean the cage to remove the scent of the "bully" rat and to keep her out of the cage for a few days to a week so that the rat being bullied has a chance to "own" the cage more (it will also let her heal). Sounds like you are doing this. You can also try rearranging things in the cage which sometimes helps.

Also, I don't think I saw how many rats you have -- sometimes a space that is too small will lead to higher levels of aggression. I had moderate aggression in two of my females and introducing a neutered male into the mix really settled them down.

I'd just suggest going slow on the reintroduction ... reinforcing with treats for good behavior and reprimanding for bad. Let us know how it goes. Having really aggressive rats can be a drag -- I had 2 boys that I had to separate because one was just over-the-top mean.

[bigbad-ratman]

you might want to try re-introing them in a neutral sight/cage. if the bully rat has claimed the cage, taking shadow(?) out might have made to prob worse as the bully rat now owns the cage, which may have been her intent.
worse case, you just have a jerk for a pet.

[Wild Turkey]

A little extra info, Hope to get some more responses here since I realize I may have given you guys the wrong idea.

Its not a dominance type behavior, or at least doesnt seem like it.

The rats have been together for a long time, the have little fights and squabbles, typical power/dominance struggle stuff.

However, just recently Shadow has began "eating" shivas ear. Its almost as if she enjoys the taste...

She doesnt pick on her, attack, anything just walks over to her ear, takes in her hand and begins eating it like its food.

Shiva ignores it, doesnt treat it as she would a challenge. She crys and is annoyed with it, the other rat is relentless, its almost like when she gets bored she just goes to shivas ear...

Shiva is almost twice her size and could easily pin her down (and does, often) but just doesnt seem to treat the ear biting as a challenge.

Im not sure if that changes things? The behavior is puzzling to me though i've kept around a dozen of the little furry guys over the years, ive never seen anything like this.

[gabbyguppy]

Have you tried putting a nasty tasting product on her ear to deter the other rat?

I use a product called Bitter Apple to keep my dogs from licking and chewing.

Karen

[Wild Turkey]

Have you tried putting a nasty tasting product on her ear to deter the other rat?

I use a product called Bitter Apple to keep my dogs from licking and chewing.

Karen

Thats a really good idea.

I will have to check the ingredients though, rats are easily poisoned

Who makes it?

[Northernguy]

I have never owned a rat but it does sound like the little rat likes the taste of the neosporin.

[gabbyguppy]

Here's the info on Bitter Apple. They actually have a 'rodent' formula.

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Hope this helps,

Karen

[Wild Turkey]

Very cool!

I will procure some and apply it to her ear with a Q tip, hopefully its strong enough to keep the other rat away but not strong enough to drive her nuts having it on her.

Yea Ng she started doing just out of the blue, but you may be right the neosporin may not have helped the sitaution

[Wild Turkey]

Today I fed them together instead of separate and the little one wondered back into the main cage. Rather than remove her im letting it play out. She already tried to nibble on Shivas tail, but shiva seems to really be letting her have it at any sign of trouble, and shadow is not nearly as interested in her as of yet. So heres hoping the trend continues.

Until the next update heres some pics of my spoiled girls and stuff:

Mixing up some rat food, this will last about a month

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Mag cleaning up

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[Wild Turkey]

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In the freezer it will last the full month

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3 gal cooler with an ac20

[Wild Turkey]

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since I had to post three posts and only two images were left, i included this one from a few weeks ago which is pretty cute too

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That would be shadow

[Northernguy]

Yummy!:19:
Those are really cool shots Turk!thumbs2:

[Wild Turkey]

thanks pal you are the main reason I would post pictures on a thread like this:hmm3grin2orange:

[Wild Turkey]

Update:

:scry: Well ive determined its not the neosporin, i was advised not to directly apply the scent stuff to the rat, and separating and reintroducing them worked only for 1 day...

Fed them twice as much as usual yesterday, no effect.

"Tst"ing still has no effect. Even blowing on shadow profusely seems to accomplish nothing.

I contacted an old friend who is responsible (actually an ex from highschool) that may be able to take Shadow, also tried a family member whos equally responsible. Wish us luck! Thank you guys for all the replies

[Northernguy]

That sucks!
I was hoping you found the cause.Thats too bad!
Put a muzzle on it.

[Wild Turkey]

That sucks!
I was hoping you found the cause.Thats too bad!
Put a muzzle on it.

Yea it hits home for me to give one away, cant help feeling that no matter who I give it to it wont get the quality of life it would get with me. I get very attached to my rats a lot more than the fish and inverts, Ive always had rats even when I rented, and they are just more of pet and less of a hobby I guess. Not to say my inverts arent pets, just more appropriately called "stock" lol

If you are handy enough to make a muzzle that small im willing to try it :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange: