I have a rat that keeps trying to bite me, I think he's territorial by the way he keeps rubbing his sides on his cage and digging obsessively. He's 6 months old and new to my house. I don't know how to handle him to get him out of the cage, can anyone give me some tips. I've had rats that tried to attack other rats before but this is the first time I've had one try and attack me. I'd really like for us to get to know each other but at the moment that just involves me sitting next to his cage talking to him.
Biting Rat, Need help
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Claireybell2477
Well-Known Member
His hormones would of started to kick in at four months. That was my experience with my boy. I got my Bennett from a rescue and he was four months old. Started to bite me and was arching his back and sticking his paws out in front of him (classic symptoms of hormones going crazy) and I was advised from folks on this site to get him a neuter.
It absolutely helped. Bennett (I call him grumpy pants) still communicates with his teeth but very gently. Not enough for it to deter me from touching him. If anything, it's endearing and makes me love him even more. It's that ornery part of him that makes him who he is and I wouldn't change him for the world.
I dread to think what would of become of him without the neuter though. Get him in ASAP before his behaviour gets any worse. There isn't a moment to lose here. You hear stories about how a rat can be completely transformed from a hostile biter to a big softie just by having those nads off!
Your boy sounds hormonal - get him booked for an appointment asap. Thank god I got Bennett neutered, it was the best thing I could have done for him.
It absolutely helped. Bennett (I call him grumpy pants) still communicates with his teeth but very gently. Not enough for it to deter me from touching him. If anything, it's endearing and makes me love him even more. It's that ornery part of him that makes him who he is and I wouldn't change him for the world.
I dread to think what would of become of him without the neuter though. Get him in ASAP before his behaviour gets any worse. There isn't a moment to lose here. You hear stories about how a rat can be completely transformed from a hostile biter to a big softie just by having those nads off!
Your boy sounds hormonal - get him booked for an appointment asap. Thank god I got Bennett neutered, it was the best thing I could have done for him.
Claireybell2477
Well-Known Member
It really is the best thing for him - good luck!
jorats
Loving rats since 2002.
From your description, your little guy is really having a hard time dealing with his hormones. A neuter will help him over come this stress and go back to being the sweet little boy that is deep inside him. Make sure you have a really good vet, experienced with rat surgeries. Also, you can check out joinrats.com for other ideas on how to calm him down.
dspch911
Senior Member
Agree with the rest - neuter is needed asap before he does bite you...
SQ
Senior Member - Vegan for the animals
Definitely a neuter, with a vet experienced in successfully neutering rats and then when he calms down, some rattie friends
This link may help http://www.ratshackforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7691
This link may help http://www.ratshackforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7691
Thank you everyone for your advice.
It won't be possible to take him to get neutered until next week. I'll will have to handle him this weekend to put some mite treatment on him as he had mites. I'm thinking of putting his cage in a closed room and opening the door so he will hopefully come out to me. He's made it very clear that my hands are not allowed in his cage so I really don't want to have to reach in and take him out.
It won't be possible to take him to get neutered until next week. I'll will have to handle him this weekend to put some mite treatment on him as he had mites. I'm thinking of putting his cage in a closed room and opening the door so he will hopefully come out to me. He's made it very clear that my hands are not allowed in his cage so I really don't want to have to reach in and take him out.
Claireybell2477
Well-Known Member
Is he alone or does he have another rat buddy? If he's on his own, this is absolutely another reason why he's behaving like this. No matter how closely bonded they are with their humans, it's not enough sadly. Rats need other rats. No question. They get severely depressed, anxious and lonely being lone rats.
Bennett (grumpy pants/formerly bitey pants) will hop up on my lap and take treats now. Theres no way in a million years I would of imagined his doing that in the weeks before and after his neuter!
I pull their cage up to my bed every evening and leave the door open for them all and they can come out and play with me anytime and return to their cage whenever they like. He's got two brothers and no matter how many toys and treats and pettings they get from me on the bed, they never stay out too long really. Some Rats are funny like that, they prefer the comfort and sanctuary of their 'castle'. Their cages are everything to them and they are very attached to their bubble. Their territory, their home, their personal space, safety. They really are the kings of their castles lol!
Don't reach into his cage anymore for now. Wait until he's had the procedure. Talk to him and see if he will take treats etc. I learned that with Bennett before he was neutered and it used to scare and upset me. You will have to wait a couple of weeks (it can vary if I recall) for the hormones to settle down after the operation. Some see an instant improvement. Bennett took a few weeks to show less anxiety.
Sometimes even now, he will gently nip me with his teeth if I reach into the cage, but never enough to hurt me. He's a funny boy. He's grumpy, but when he's in the mood for scritches, boy is he in the mood haha. He also really takes care of his brothers. He grooms them and cuddles up to them and stays close when they are sick. He's very considerate of them and just has the most darling little face. I honestly don't know how I'm going to cope when he passes, I really don't! He's got such a huge personality and he's stolen my heart. It's been worth the effort and the patience to see him happy and living the lovely rattie life he deserves (even though he's a little grump :wink
A biting, hormonal rat is so worth fighting for!
Bennett (grumpy pants/formerly bitey pants) will hop up on my lap and take treats now. Theres no way in a million years I would of imagined his doing that in the weeks before and after his neuter!
I pull their cage up to my bed every evening and leave the door open for them all and they can come out and play with me anytime and return to their cage whenever they like. He's got two brothers and no matter how many toys and treats and pettings they get from me on the bed, they never stay out too long really. Some Rats are funny like that, they prefer the comfort and sanctuary of their 'castle'. Their cages are everything to them and they are very attached to their bubble. Their territory, their home, their personal space, safety. They really are the kings of their castles lol!
Don't reach into his cage anymore for now. Wait until he's had the procedure. Talk to him and see if he will take treats etc. I learned that with Bennett before he was neutered and it used to scare and upset me. You will have to wait a couple of weeks (it can vary if I recall) for the hormones to settle down after the operation. Some see an instant improvement. Bennett took a few weeks to show less anxiety.
Sometimes even now, he will gently nip me with his teeth if I reach into the cage, but never enough to hurt me. He's a funny boy. He's grumpy, but when he's in the mood for scritches, boy is he in the mood haha. He also really takes care of his brothers. He grooms them and cuddles up to them and stays close when they are sick. He's very considerate of them and just has the most darling little face. I honestly don't know how I'm going to cope when he passes, I really don't! He's got such a huge personality and he's stolen my heart. It's been worth the effort and the patience to see him happy and living the lovely rattie life he deserves (even though he's a little grump :wink
A biting, hormonal rat is so worth fighting for!
He does not have any buddies in his cage at the moment as he has only been in my care for a few days. I have other rats that I am hoping to be able to introduce him to after his procedure and his hormones have settled down. He displays extremely aggressive behaviour when he is put within close proximity of the other boys I have at the moment. When the time comes to introduce him to the others I will most likely seek help on how to go about that, right now I need to know how to handle him without getting bitten.
I have been sitting next to his cage a lot and talking to him, he always comes over to where I am and sniffs me so I'm hoping he's getting use to me. He is a beautiful smart rat in different ways to my others. He is absolutely worth fighting for, I couldn't agree more about that. Thank you so much for sharing your story about Bennett it's great to hear about him. He sounds adorable ❤️
I have been sitting next to his cage a lot and talking to him, he always comes over to where I am and sniffs me so I'm hoping he's getting use to me. He is a beautiful smart rat in different ways to my others. He is absolutely worth fighting for, I couldn't agree more about that. Thank you so much for sharing your story about Bennett it's great to hear about him. He sounds adorable ❤️
jorats
Loving rats since 2002.
This is great, he's lucky to have you! Keep us the good work!
