Rat Behaviour Post Castration - Issue

Question
Hi, I'm seeking advice as I can't afford to go to a vet until the new year, and
the vet I am with seems to understand less than i do.

I have two male rats, one white one ginger, who I took over custody of at the
end of July. They were castrated as they seemed to fight a lot, and then their
were post op issues, then their home live was interrupted by a cage move,
but after that they had a regular routine and a very happy life where they
healed well. But gradually even tho they live in a very large cage, have food
and healthy treats and even have a run/room to play in with various activities,
we unfortunately had to move them into their play room for Xmas (they are
usually in the lounge.) Ever since then they do not want to come out of the
cage, are scared and timid, any noise IE high heels on floor, someone coming
in the door or moving anything and they get VERY SCARED. They were always
quite adventurous, but now the rat who wasn't dominant has since become
dominant and visa versa. The dominant rat has bitten the non-dom and
started to pull the other's fur out. We know it must be the dominant rat
becuase it's at the back of neck behind ear and there are also patches on the
back of head.

As I have said, I can't afford the vets until new year, and I'm worried that they
are going to have to get seperated. We castrated them becuase they were
fighting, and since thier op it's not violent or with them up on thier hind legs,
but clearly one is being bullied and I'm unsure of what to do with this and also
thier complete docile behaviour as I have limited thier food intake to stop
them gaining weight. It's now five months later and I just want them to have a
happy life!

Also, the one with fur missing who seems to be bullied and bitten also
stashes most of the food hides in small spaces where as they were both quite
exploratorive (I'm guessing previously due to hormones?)

Also as a side question, I used to have 2 female rats about 4 years ago, how
long does general smell linger for?

Apologies for the long email, I could really use some advice.

Many Thanks and Happy Holidays.

Harriet

Answer
Hi Harriet

For starters, do not limit their food intake if they are used to self feeding. This can create alot of problems and they will start to fight over food issues.  Rats will not overeat and get fat. It is the type of foods they eat that causes weight gain.   What kind of diet are they on?  Rats should have low fats and low proteins (very important) but sometimes when certain vitamins and minerals are missing from their diet, this can also trigger aggression, even if they were sexually altered.  When were they neutered, by the way?
The move has made them stressed out. There were a few times when we lost power during a storm this summer and     had to pull the two hug     e ferret nation cages into the foyer by the front door to get air (it was  a typical southern summer night, muggy and temps in the 70s at night, YUCK!) The rats enjoyed feeling a breeze from the outside air rather than the usual cool stale air conditioned air they are used to getting, but they were also pretty freaked out being in a new environment they were not used to etc... and they boys started to fight over the smallest things. It was a long night thats for sure.  

Any time I bring in a new piece of furniture into the rat room, even if I leave a box on the floor they have never seen, they act ridiculous, like the box is really a transformer machine coming to get them. LOL
It has alot to do with their poor vision, fear of the unknown and their strong personality and the fact they do NOT trust what they are not familair with.  

If you put them back to where they are used to being, it may take a bit of adjusting but they will get back to normal again.  Some people dont like change and rats are one species that this really holds true with.  As for the smell of females....it should be long gone by now, even if you didnt wipe up any urine left behind etc... but on the other hand, rats do have a keen sense of smell, but still, after four years, I doubt it is still there.  Again, I am just guessing and could be wrong which isnt the first time I have been wrong and wont be the last.  LOL

Hope this helps!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          `