Rat issues

[--Jennifer--]

Hey,

This is my first post. Its my first time owning MALE rats, I've owned a female rat way back when.

So first off Charlie, he's my big baby (as seen in profile pic) he was isolated his whole life. The pet store found out he had ear mites and when it was cured didn't bother reintroducing him to rats again.

Now he is lovely hes sweet and cuddly for me.. he doesn't trust alot of others.

He is grunting now hes had a URI before and so has my other male. (I've called the vet to schedule an appointment)

The weird thing is its only when hes playing outside his cage. He'll grunt then sneeze a few times all while playing. Hes eatings fine,drinking lots and his cage is constantly clean. He has recycled paper for litter in his litter box.

(Hes also about 1 year now)

Now Chubs was my little sisters rat. She lost interest in the responsibility though so I took over. He is very healthy only had minor sneezes once and gave him some meds for it right away and ever since hes been great.

When we first got chubs he was 5wks old...now hes almost 6mnths.

Now these boys have been introduced a few times to each other and the majority of the time it doesn't end well, so I gave up on that. They will just attack one another..and id rather not explain to my little sister that were down one rat.

They are in a two in one cage (charlies in the top, chubs on the bottom) and they are supposed to not be able to access one another. Unfortunately my rats are smarter then the cage makers..and decide to climb up the bars to nip at tails or toes to annoy one another.

I don't really want to get either neutered .. they are fine on their own and it just doesn't feel right to snip either or there "manhoods" because they don't like eachother.

Anyways please help!

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[hopefloats]

It actually reduces the stress the boys feel. you may not see it but the stress level is high when they are rat aggressive. It could be how you do your intros as well with males it is best to do intros in a bath tub or somewhere scary. If they meet each other on common ground they will see them as an intruder to their space. Rats are brats they like to own anything they can so the space they meet in has to be one neither can own.

 

[dspch911]

Coming from a mom of 13 boys - :gaah: :gaah: yes, they don't always play nice together and neuters make a world of difference :joy: :joy: off with the rathood ....... The sneezing when out of the cage could be from some irritant candle, air freshener, detergent on a blanket, etc. I would be thinking something like that if your only seeing/hearing it at our time.

 

[--Jennifer--]

Thanks for the comments!

I did try the bath tub the first was somewhat a success, however the second was not at all.
Others were on similar ground (basement ect) and fights would always occur

I will take a look around my room but I dont use air fresheners besides detergent :/

Speaking of which they have material in their cages (blankets/dog beds) would you use detergent or just water?

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[1095732]

When I wash my fabrics, hammocks and beds I use detergent but do an extra rinse cycle.

 

[--Jennifer--]

I will try that tonight

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[1095732]

Oh, I forgot to mention. I also used non-scented detergent most of the time. But personally haven't noticed a difference when I use my regular detergent (which is hypoallergenic but scented naturally).

 

[jorats]

It's very common for the second meet up in the tub to not go so well but still continue to do them, they need to get used to each other. I prefer using a table top. I'm closer to them and it doesn't hurt my back leaning in.lol
I would definitely keep trying but don't discount a neuter unless it's because you can't afford it. They are not using their gonads so it's no bother to them if you snip them away. lol If you have a good vet, risks are minimal.
Neutering is beneficial in that it calms them down. It makes them become the rat they should be. Hormones and stress is a killer.

 

[--Jennifer--]

I will think about both the neutering and the next meeting.

I think I am more afraid that it will end badly. Last time the marks lasted for about a week they were very deep :/ lucky it wasnt in the spine or artery

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[dspch911]

Same here no dye no fragrance detergent, extra rinse. Some times I pour in some vinegar.

 

[patchesboo]

I'm new, and just now reading this. How are things going with them? Have you been able to introduce them successfully, or are they still trying to kill each other? So far I have not had any trouble with my four males, who are still quite young. One was introduced later on, but everything went well. That one was Rick, my Dumbo Rex. He took a long time to warm up to me. He still does not seem to care for me all that much. Oh well, I still handle him just about every day. He's not aggressive, just somewhat antisocial. He's become quite the jumper, too. He can jump from my chest to the cage from a distance of at least 2 feet! And he hates it when I go to take him off the side of the cage. He's quite vocal!

 

[--Jennifer--]

I havsn't really tried since. I've booked them both an appointment to get snipped hopefully that helps.

I just found little red dots in chubs hair. They did not move so I'm wondering if this is part of the "buck" thing.

I washed him...he hated it. Screamed at me the whole time (big baby) ;but after it was done they were sig significantly less red dots..


Is this dander ?

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[jorats]

Rats don't usually get noticeable sebum/buck grease until they are much older and no longer grooming themselves.
But I have seen overly hormonal males with orange flakes of sebum. The more you wash them, they more they will produce some.

 

[--Jennifer--]

Hes a about a year now, does that make a difference?

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[jorats]

Not really. Can you take a picture of the flakes and where on his body?

 

[--Jennifer--]

Its in my other post called dander photos as well

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