Fighting rats?

Question

Im really worried, i have almost no money, so buying a cage and extra stuff isnt possible, and nobody around here (ontario, california) seems like a good owner, people across the street are litterally insane, and except from our one neibor, who is too old for me to even expect him to care for a pet like this. hes a male rat, almost or over 2 years old, hes been fighting with his cagemate more than normal lately, both males. i picked up the older one, and noticed black marks and small lumps on his neck, i assume that they are scabs because the fur is kinda cleared araound it, like he was bit, i picked up his friend, and he doesnt have a scratch, and i always see them rolling around, and i try to break it up but they are too short for me to do anything without gloves (dont and cant be bit). when it happens, the younger one, by about half a year is being um, at the bottom of the tumble, i see the old one doing what looks like grooming on the young one alot, but never the other way araound

what im asking, is there a low low cost solution for this? i only have like $20-30 for the rest of the month, and maby next month too, i also have noo room for another setup, and i cant vet him as the only vet who treats these types of animals has me banned from the office, and there isnt another one for miles, nobody would drive me there

if you would like to see them, you can visit my site here

Bob7k.blogspot.com

and a direct link to the image

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5049/4158/1600/IMAG0008.jpg

i dont think the cage seperating thing is a good idea, because its a fishtank with a topper thing on it, and that provides almost 3/4 of thier room. thrifty and goodwill i will check up on today

Answer 1

It sounds like the older one is trying to mate with the younger one. The younger one must be feeling violated and therefor tries to beat up the older one. Try reading them the bible, and tell them that if they continue being gay they will surely go to hell. LOL, j/k. Try separating the cage with something they can't chew through, or you could always take one to a local humane society. They would be sure to find a good home for your rat, they wouldn't exactly give it to someone who would feed it to a snake or anything.
A a ten gallon fish tank only costs about ten dollars, well within your range. Try Wal-Mart, pet stores are usually more expensive. Also the link doesn't work.

Answer 2

Some fighting is normal between male rats, and some skin problems are normal with older rats. If they are constantly fighting then you have a problem, male rats don't need as much room as females, they are really lazy... so you don't need a huge aqaurium for them especially one that's 2+ years old. Putting a cardboard partition in is useless, they will see it as a big chew toy. Find a hermit crab type enclosement untill you can affford something like a 10 gallon aqaurium, (you might get lucky at the goodwill with this) and seperate them. Chances are one or both of them won't be suitable for cagemates, but it sounds like your not in the financial situation to get more anyhow. Good luck with your ratty friends.

Answer 3

Two ideas: Split the cage in half with a partition, if you have a scrap piece of cage wire or metal, this isn't the best solution, but if you don't have any money, but need them separated, it could get them apart. ALSO: check around at thrift stores, or goodwill for another cage. they would offer low cost cages if they have them, you may need to scrounge around for a few weeks. ALSO: check with neighbors, friends, co-workers to see if they have or know someone who has a cage that they would give away or lend to you. Good luck!

Answer 4

seperate the rats for a few days up to maybe a week then intergrate back togehter slowly, if this means going bare bone on the aquarium, or whatever you are using, split that in half with a piece of wood, put chips in bottom of both sides give both same amount of food, water... let the wounds heal on the injured one and give both same amount of attention

Answer 5

Keep one in the cage, let the other one run free

Answer 6

onlty,thing to do is separatley house them or give on rat away and keep 1