Aggressive Rats

Erica Sokol · May 13, 2019

Hey there, my husband and I have 3 girls of our own (Kitai, Ana and Tali) and all of them have become EXTREMELY aggressive, lunge biting, biting threw the cage, attacking when we try to change food and give them fresh water. We are at our wits end with them and to be honest it's breaking our hearts. We've tried treat training, scent training, sitting near them and speaking quietly, and everything else that has been suggested to us by other rat owners on what to do, looked up articles, groups, etc. We are exhausted and my husband has all but given up on really interacting with his rats. Their aggression is really bad, they've all drawn blood and one even bit him in the ear something she's never done, it's only been fingers and hands before and she went for his face. Please help :[!

Dena · May 13, 2019

Have you looked at www.joinrats.com for info on what could be causing this? Also, how big is their cage, how often do they get let out to play, and for how long, what do they have for fun in their cage? Does this only happen when they are in their cage? Maybe a trip to the vet may shed light on the issue.... Hope things get better! Welcome to the forum!

Also, how old are the rats, and how long have you had them?

Erica Sokol · May 13, 2019

I would have to ask my husband how big their cage is but it is really big, and while we would love to get them out to play we are so sick and tired of being bitten, they have chews and therew as a wheel and all sorts fo things in the cage but they never used them or avoided teh wheel like the plague because they were afraid of it. The girls are about 9-10 months old. No this doesn't just happen in their cage, one of them was out and was getting petted and played with and out of no where she lunged at my roommate's hand and bit her 3-4 times in the same place. One of t he others bit my husband in the ear when she was just sitting on his shoulder.

Kye · May 13, 2019

Are they showing any signs of pain.? Stretching out, squeaking with certain movements, ect.?

jorats · May 13, 2019

When they bite, are they drawing blood? Could they be nipping? Some rats nip but it's not from aggression. How long have you had them? Where do they come from?