Odd aggressiveness with me - new development

[rhapsody]

Up to this point, I've never had a problem with any of my CN crew being aggressive towards me. I've always been able to stick my hands in the cage without fear of being bit. Now out of the blue, I'm having issues.

The culprit is Jasper - he's one of my two first rats that I adopted 23 months ago. He's about 26 months old. I can no longer put my hands in the CN without him ambushing me and nipping me hard. No blood drawn yet, but darn it, that hurts. He's never done this before, and this new behaviour has been going on for the past couple of weeks. For instance, he got me this morning when I was trying to find another CN boy for his meds. I was poking around looking for the sick one when my hand passed a hammock, and Jasper sprung from its inner pocket and got my knuckle.

Its not like I'm wrenching the cage doors open, thrusting my hands in there, and scaring the crap out of the CN crew. I'm constantly talking and chirping to the gang whenever I'm around the cage so that they're aware of my presence, and I don't move fast when I'm poking around in there.

Jasper caught a bad case of mites over a month ago, but otherwise his health has been decent. He is a bit on the heavy side though - he was a big boy in his prime, but all that muscle has since turned into pudge.

Any ideas why he's behaving this way?

EDIT: In all these nipping instances, Jasper had been wide awake and moving about in the CN. He wasn't startled from slumber.

 

[jennifervb]

Up to this point, I've never had a problem with any of my CN crew being aggressive towards me. I've always been able to stick my hands in the cage without fear of being bit. Now out of the blue, I'm having issues.

The culprit is Jasper - he's one of my two first rats that I adopted 23 months ago. He's about 26 months old. I can no longer put my hands in the CN without him ambushing me and nipping me hard. No blood drawn yet, but darn it, that hurts. He's never done this before, and this new behaviour has been going on for the past couple of weeks. For instance, he got me this morning when I was trying to find another CN boy for his meds. I was poking around looking for the sick one when my hand passed a hammock, and Jasper sprung from its inner pocket and got my knuckle.

Its not like I'm wrenching the cage doors open, thrusting my hands in there, and scaring the crap out of the CN crew. I'm constantly talking and chirping to the gang whenever I'm around the cage so that they're aware of my presence, and I don't move fast when I'm poking around in there.

Jasper caught a bad case of mites over a month ago, but otherwise his health has been decent. He is a bit on the heavy side though - he was a big boy in his prime, but all that muscle has since turned into pudge.

Any ideas why he's behaving this way?

Was he ever neutered, Rhapsody?

 

[victoria]

Is it possible he was sleeping and you startled him? I've had rats that have nipped me hard when I woke them up.

 

[rhapsody]

Was he ever neutered, Rhapsody?

Oh he's been neutered a long time ago - a couple months before I adopted him.

Is it possible he was sleeping and you startled him? I've had rats that have nipped me hard when I woke them up.

Nope, he was wide awake - he was bouncing between hammocks when I approached the cage. Typically I make so much noise that by the time I open the doors, everyone is up and begging for attention. Jasper has been awake for all the other times he nipped me as well. The other day he was busy grooming a buddy, and I want in to adjust their toys, and he got me then too.

 

[eagle]

Have you noticed any fighting in the ranks of the crew at all? Any new additions or new things at home?

 

[lilspaz68]

Could he be hurting and cranky? Have you tried some pain meds to see if that improves things? Could he be going senile or does he still seem all there?

 

[jorats]

Anything new in the home? Even something as simple as watching TV too loud? Did you move the cage, are there new buddies living close by? New dog or cat in the home? New person in the home?
Something has him worried unless... it's neurological. A PT can cause a change in behaviour. Watch him for any other symptoms of PT.

 

[rhapsody]

*Scratches head*

My apartment is a "revolving door" for foster hamsters, but its been that way for the past year and neither the rats or the hamsters seem to notice. We never have visitors to the apartment, and I haven't done any major rearranging lately.

The CN crew has been together since January, although one passed away in August. My newest rattie came in July, but he lives in a different cage. However, there has been a bit of scuffling in the CN crew - the alpha Rufus is around 28 months old with some mobility issues, so there's been some minor attempts by the younger males to usurp the title. I've never seen Jasper get directly involved, but he's Rufus' heart buddy and the resident peacekeeper.

I do have metacam, so I try to see if that makes any difference. He is a bit overweight, so I'm always checking for bumblefoot. Uh, not sure how to check for senility ...

 

[eagle]

sounds like the tension in the cage could be the problem. Youngsters being brats.

 

[rhapsody]

sounds like the tension in the cage could be the problem. Youngsters being brats.

Is there anything I can do? I know a power shift is usually inevitable once the alpha becomes old and frail.

Uh, how messy can power shifts be?

 

[eagle]

sounds like the tension in the cage could be the problem. Youngsters being brats.

Is there anything I can do? I know a power shift is usually inevitable once the alpha becomes old and frail.

Uh, how messy can power shifts be?

It really depends, but I will let the pros on behavior respond. Have you seen any of the youngsters go after you boy.

 

[rhapsody]

Not really. From what I've seen, Rufus seems to take things personally and instigates squabbles. Only difference now is that the younger boys are no longer completely submissive, and are willing to throw in a couple punches before backing off.

Jasper, the problem boy, has not been specifically targeted by the younger ones, although he probably gets upset when Rufus gets upset.

Oh, and all boys are neutered, the most recent done six months ago.

 

[eagle]

I sent you a pm

 

[jorats]

He shouldn't be attacking you though even if the younger males are vying for alpha, unless he's being jumpy. What I usually do with my lungers and nippers, I do a lot of hand socializing, pick up, put down, pick up put down, using the scooping method. And lot of treats so that he either has to lick your fingers or delicately grab a small pea or something like that.