Girls get OUT OF CONTROL every heat cycle, what can calm or distract them?

[Ruthie_is_Rattified]

They can't think about or do anything else, their only care in life is just to get to where the boys are. Even though they're in a different room now, they know they are here somewhere.

Any special herbs, exercises, sounds/temperatures, training, de-conditioning, tricks or potions of any kind?

 

[SQ]

yes, if you have a good vet with the knowledge and experience to spay rats, get them spayed.
Spaying rats is important for health reasons Why Spay or Neuter Rats?
Otherwise this will stop happening when the girls become elderly and no longer go into heat.

There are no special herbs, exercises, sounds/temperatures, training, de-conditioning, tricks or potions of any kind .... and please do not try any suggestions that do not come from a vet as they will not be safe

Rats are very smart and very motivated when girls are in heat (every 4 to 5 days) and people are not perfect 100% of the time. Having 2 intact sexes in the same home is an accident waiting to happen.
I have heard of rats that have gotten out of their cage in a basement rec room and gotten to the opposite sex in a third floor bedroom. I also know of experienced, very careful rat owners that have had accidental litters - if it can happen to them, it can happen to anyone.
Rats can have up to 26 babies in a litter, with average litter size being 12 to 14 babies … that is a lot of ratties to look after for the rest of their lives.

If intact boys are in the same home they will be affected when girls go into heat, it will impact their behaviour, and some may become aggressive because boys are hormonal too.

 

[Tash88]

Hi, we had a slightly different issue but may be of help. When our girlie were younger we had one who used to get very excited when she was on heat and would harras the other girls. Luckily we have a very good exotic vets who suggested either getting her spayed as mention by SQ or trying to calm her down.

With vets advice (always check with a vet) we tried pet remedy, which was a plug in. Sadly this did not help and it really did stink.

Our second try was a very diluted amount of essential lavender oil in a diffuser (again checking with a vet) which we had read about in studies. This did help, she still had her mad monents on heat but it did help. She is an older girl now so we do not have this problem any more as her hormones have calmed down.

Again always check with a vet before trying anything, as you do not want to make them ill or unhappy.

Thought this may help.