behavior

Question
Hi, I am new to owning pet rats. I purchased two females around the same time and we have had them for about 6 months  but we keep them seperated because they want to fihgt and am afraid they will hurt one another.Plus the younger of the two(Taffy) is shy and jumpy.The older one(ruby) would rather hang out with our nuetered boston terrier.What can I do if anything to help them get along with each other(the rats that is)? Would or should I get them fixed? Any info would be great. Thanks alot
P.S congrads on the new babe and good luck:)

Answer
Spaying probably won't help aggression toward each other - were they raised together? Its odd they wouldn't get along. A bit of squabbling at first is fairly typical, and usually subsides with time. Try cleaning the cage well, washing both rats in a gentle baby/puppy shampoo, and dabbing a bit of vanilla (real, not imitation) extract behind their ears and at the base of their tails. Let them play in a neutral area - remember no blood, no foul! If one isn't bleeding, its normal behavior and they should be allowed to work out their differences. Clean and sanitize what will be the community cage. Replace all bedding and worn surfaces with neutral, new, freshly washed things to be sure nobody's scent is on anything. Then allow Taffy into the cage first to explore, then put Ruby in there and see how it does.

If Ruby attacks and makes Taffy bleed, Ruby probably would prefer to be a single rat, and you should respect her wishes and let her live alone. In that case, I'd suggest getting a baby (closer to weaning age the better) to live with Taffy so that Taffy isn't so lonely.

Be VERY careful letting Ruby hang out with your Boston --- terriers are usually very quick to betray a small prey animal and it only takes one bite to kill.

Good luck :)