my rat male if I pick him up and not the female she smells my scent on him and starts to fight him but if I give them a bath they shes fine but why does she fight him and why is it only when I just pick him up?
2007-02-18 12:22:44 · 5 answers · asked by sarah_see_123 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Is your male rat neutered? Is this why he is in with the female? Or are you trying to breed them? Are you an inexperienced breeder and you are attempting a first mating?
I am a breeder and your female rat's behavior toward him is not normal rat behavior unless you are trying to breed them. This would send red flags up to me that she should be removed from your breeding program. If you are to give the babies to others you could be passing around rats with other behavior quirks.
It could be that she really does not like him, and by picking him up you have given her an excuse to vent her feeling toward him.
It could be that there is a scent on your hands, your own sweat perhaps, that she doesn't like and this sets her off.
It is most definite that if you are trying to breed them and if she doesn't like him, she has made it clear that she does not want him to be the father of her children. What? Did you think that just by putting a male and female together they would mate? It doesn't work that way.
Keep the male and female separate. When you do pick them up, handle them together, but don't let them interact. Bathing your male rat this often just so she gets along with him is not the right thing to do and you're going to set up a skin condition on him that might be hard to get rid of.
Sandra Beasley and the Spaz Rats
(Rattery, Rescue, and Rat-care Expert)
http://spazrats.tripod.com
"My life has gone to the rats"
2007-02-19 09:27:52 · answer #1 · answered by spazrats 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have not had them a long time, they will just need time to get used to your scent. Handle the female more, get her used to your scent and that you are not a threat. Unless they are causing major wounds or are old, leave them together. Fighing is a natural part of any animal. They are trying to establish a pecking order to see who is 'top dog.'
I have bred mice and rats for many years. Don't worry....your rats are normal and as long as they are physically healthy, they will be just fine.
2007-02-18 20:54:08 · answer #2 · answered by demongelding1@hotmail.com 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't know, but if you have them together you will soon have more rats. Maybe you should separate the male from the female. If she is protective, she might not want anybody near her pups.
2007-02-19 00:11:40 · answer #3 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont understand unless she could think you are her mate i would definatly suggest to get seperat cages if you can not afford one at the moment dont pick up your rats until you get one
2007-02-18 20:28:51 · answer #4 · answered by Here i am 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they dont like human smells even if they like you plus she may be pregnant, and is starting to be protective.
2007-02-18 20:29:10 · answer #5 · answered by Grandma of six 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋