Tail wagging during intros--and when to go for the neuter.

[hprats]

Well, I've been trying to introduce my babies to Fred. During this, I've noticed harry wags his tail a lot. He never does it except during intros.

I decided to try putting Albus with them, sort of as a control. With Fred, things are tense and we're lucky to go 15 minutes without a fight. With Albus, I got to a full hour without a single fight. In both cases Harry wagged his tail (honestly, it looked like a rattle snake to me!). Harry is the alpha of him and Remus, and Albus has been the most submissive of all the rats I've had. With the Albus intros, Albus smelled both butts/genital area pretty intensely. They both allowed it, though Harry often ran away. Remus waited, looking scared, and allowed some dominance grooming too.

I've decided to get Fred neutered soon. He and Peter were both problems, causing big wounds during intros. Peter was neutered last week, and I haven't noticed a difference in him yet, but I haven't tried any direct contact intro...I failed to correctly latch the cage today, so Peter got out during Fred's out time, and I only noticed because I went back to say hi and I found him in Fred's cage, Fred was running around the room. They hadn't made contact or fought, and Peter wasn't puffy, so actually that is a pretty big improvement for them.

So I've read tail-wagging on a list of signs a boy needs a neuter, and that it's a sign of hormonal aggression. I'm just wondering if there's any reason to go ahead and get Harry neutered nowish, based only on that one thing. I know some people here favour neuters for all male rats, but I'd definitely rather keep it to the boys that need it. But I know if he will need it, sooner is better than later.

 

[hopefloats]

I have a few rats that wag their tail during intros or when they are excited. Dopey would wag his tail, but he never in his life bit another rat. I had a few others that I would see do it briefly but not in my angry boys. I am sure it could be a sign but it would be one to go with others. No rat has been injured here due to a wagging tail. If they are not biting or lunging or attacking other rats then it can also be just he is either really excited or nervous. I spay all females, health reasons there is a huge benefit to it, I only neuter the boys who make me angry :cop: If he is wagging his tail prior to a fight, then that boy has the bad beads in him and they need to go.

Some rats do show improvement super fast, i think generally I see it about 2 weeks is when you notice the huge difference.

 

[jorats]

I wouldn't say that tail wagging means neuter. Tail wagging means excitement, fear, stress, playful...but in your case, I would say it means stress and a neuter would probably help him a great deal.

 

[hprats]

Oh okay, good to know. Thanks guys!