Aggressive Rats

Question
Hello, my daughter has 3 rats.  2 are older (1.5yrs) brothers, and one is around 6 months.  We introduced the baby rat successfully this past summer.  All are male.  They have been getting along fine (just occasional squabbling of the alpha male and baby) until these past 2 weeks.  The baby and Alpha will start going head to head upright, both screeching and squealing.  There has been a few tumblings also, between these two and also between the baby and the submissive older rat.  Should we just take this as normal hierarchy roles?  When should we intervene?  Some sites say don't intervene, some say when they start puffing.  We've seen all of this but just don't know how to handle them correctly.  We don't want them to hurt each other, but we also don't want to interrupt the normal social behavior.  Also, is there a site you would recommend for rat care?  I would like information on cage cleaning (when and how much to clean and when to disinfect).  Thank you very much!  

Answer
Hi Loni,
Thanks for asking such well thought out questions! I'm sure they'll help many others, as well as your own boys.

The six month old is starting to determine that the older boys are entering their senior years, and is likely stepping up his role to be the new alpha. Although this is normal behavior in the wild, it does make for a tougher experience getting pets to get along. There are a few solutions.

You could invest in neutering the younger boy. Generally this will cost about the same as neutering a cat, and a good vet will keep him overnight to ensure he isn't yanking at his sutures. I've done this to several male packs here, with great success.

Another method of controlling this behavior is using a squirt bottle/treat technique. When the two are sparring, squirt water at them, and when they break it up, hand them a treat. They'll start to associate not fighting with treats, and fights with unexpected rain. Always reward positive behaviors.

If you see them getting along very well, offer rewards. Yogurt treats, a grape, or even a carrot slice are terrific treats for training. Keep offering rewards when they behave well, and ignore them when they spar, or squirt when the fighting seems to be too intense. The difference between a typical spar and an alpha domination is blood.

If one rat causes another to bleed, the domination fights are too aggressive, and could even lead to someone in the household getting bit. Sadly, some alphas believe in fighting to the death. That's why neutering can be a better solution in the long run.

I highly recommend RMCA.org for rat care advice. There are some terrific folks, with great experience. There are also some personal sites done by rat lovers, in the UK that are just fun to read. You can always visit our rescue site, RatzenMauzers.com and ask questions there.

As far as cleaning: We do major clean-outs weekly, with minor touch ups during the week. We also have 10 cages, each holding 8-12 rats, so it may be different schedules for those with fewer critters.

We use white vinegar, dishwashing liquids, and even Natures' Miracle for tough stains. Try to avoid bleach, or anything with a strong scent, as this often leads to respiratory illnesses. For litter, we used recycled newspapers, zapped in microwave for a few seconds, (this helps alleviate any chances of lice). In the summer time, we have a kitty litter box filled to an inch or so with water, so the ratties can have a swim if they want. (They LOVE playing in the water here in the desert!)

Basically, you want to keep the cage free from wet spots, where mold can grow, and of fecal matter, which can carry illness. A simple wipedown every day or two usually helps make the weekly cleaning a snap. If you live in a temperate climate, even using car-wash hoses on the cages can do much to help keep the smell away.

During the week, we also add Marshall's Bi Odor to the water of all of our pets. This stuff is a mixture of apple cider vinegar and basic digestibles which help break down bile and matter in a way that won't leave that tell-tale pet smell. It's a wonder drug for those with sensitive noses.

I hope that helps! You sound like a super ratty parent!

Cathe