How to discourage biting?

[khalirats]

One of my three new boys is starting to bite us a lot. In the first week we had them he bit my mum's hand HARD when there was food around, so we put it down to that and were careful to keep him away from our food etc. Now he's started nipping a lot, i stick my fingers in the cage bars a lot so they can sniff me and give kisses but now Tyrion has started to nip then too, they dont get fed through the bars at all. They've been out for playtime tonight and ive been nipped multiple times, just from putting my hand near him or trying to pick him up. Its most often not a hard nip but he has drawn blood on my hands a few times now, i really want to discourage this behaviour in him while he's young (currently 4 months old). He seems to be the most dominant out of the three, Dexter and Milo have never attempted to bite at all, even with food present.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Should probably also add that he doesnt do it ALL the time, often after he's bitten a bit too hard he'll come back and lick my hand, he hasn't bitten the other rats either. He also tends to get more hyperactive than the other 2 boys during playtimes.

 

[Dahlas]

with babies who are nipping to hard you can do a loud eeeekkkkk noise...but this sounds a bit more hormonal to me. I would have this guy neutered and probably pin him (hold his still) everytime he did this but there are others on here who can better advise you on this then me....

 

[jorats]

Dahlas is right, this is sounding hormonal.
If you can afford it, I'd say get him neutered asap. If not, you'll need to work on socializing him a lot, using your hands. A lot of pick up by scooping him and put down.
Triggers for hormonal biters are cage bars, so no more sticking fingers through cage bars, hands inside of cage, they can become territorial and if you touch their back end, that can trigger them to jump, turn around and bite. So watch for those things until he's either neutered or super socialized.

 

[Joanne]

I agree with Dahlas and Jorats...

 

[khalirats]

Okay great, thankyou! I had a feeling it might be a hormone thing, i'll be more aware of my hands around him, ive noticed the jump and turn thing a lot. If all else fails it'll be a trip to the vet and he can kiss goodbye to his man-beans!