I have had my two 3 month old boy rats for a week now and while one is friendly and will come out of the cage, the other will bite me everytime I put my hand anywhere near him. He seems nervous, but is also curious, especially when he sees the other one climbing on me. I want him to be able to come out and play, but I can't trust him not to bite hard and draw blood. I think it is partly nerves (he is new to me, after all) but also territorial aggression, as he is dominant over the other and will steal his treats. It got worse since I tried to catch him to take him out when I needed to clean his cage - he was spooked and bit me, which I felt was understandable; but now he will come up, sniff my hand and give me a painful, hard nip. Help!
2006-11-05 21:32:56 · 7 answers · asked by pansytoadfoot 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Buy some chews or hold out some food for him to take from your hand.
Hold the food out to him, and don't make any sudden movements...gradually he will start to trust you. Once you have built his trust a little stroke him gently when he comes for the food.
Take it slowly one step at a time! I had a nervous hamster who used to bite me but gradually she started to trust me like this.
Good Luck
2006-11-05 22:08:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This behaviour has two factors. One is the fear aggression and one is dominance aggression. You need to deal with the two together. Your rat needs to know that you are not afraid of him, so if he does nip your reaction should never be to back off. Instead, you should immediately shout 'NO' and tap him on the nose (just so he flinches back, you're not trying to hurt him).
You should pick your rat up as much as possible, try holding him by circling your thumb and finger around just behind his front legs so that he is kind of dangling. This is a very dominant thing to do and will calm them down too. You should find that once you have told off your rat he will straight away come to you and ask to be your friend. This is correct ratty behaviour and should be rewarded with a treat and an ear scratch.
Your rats behaviour should improve rapidly if he knows that you won't take any sh1t from him. Rats totally understand dominance and they will respect you (and love you) much better if you stand up for yourself.
In general, if he bites suddenly and draws blood then this is fear, you need to be gentle and calm him down. If he sniffs you or is climbing on you and nips you so it pinches then this is dominance and needs to be punished.
Good luck with your ratties.
2006-11-06 06:32:25 · answer #2 · answered by stienbabe 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
many reasons. he might have some rat disease. check with your local vet for any present diseases .... may be a psychological disorder. check his parentage. try to build up his confidence around you. try giving him something to chew on, like carrots. nutritious and had.seperate your other rat from him in case they fight!
2006-11-06 05:54:03 · answer #3 · answered by xvx_vx 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Rats are the coolest pets and very intelligent .....be gentle and patient and give it some time
2006-11-06 05:56:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
hi, i'm no animalologist, but i think i remember Dr Harry saying their teeth grow like 16 cm's a year... Maybe he needs something to chew on.... lol
2006-11-06 05:39:01 · answer #5 · answered by Travis 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think rat poison might be the answer.
2006-11-06 05:40:23 · answer #6 · answered by Das 2 · 0⤊ 5⤋
bite it on it's ear. that should sort it out.
2006-11-06 06:21:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋