HELP! My rat is turning into Mike Tyson

**Desert Arabian** · 01-14-2003, 10:50 PM

My rat Peanut

is constantly beating up my somewhat new little guys, Fred(r) and Oscar(l)

. She often corners them and does a "stand-off". They stand on their hind legs with their mouths open, bobbing and weaving, then finally one lunges forward and attacks the other rat. Fred and Oscar are afraid of her when she does this (obviously), and whine/wimper like a dog. But when she's nice to them, they sleep together.

/

I have no clue why she does this. Territorial? I'm thinking maybe she is the alpha-rat?!

For the most part, I let them duke it out, unless she is getting really nasty. Now, it is getting way out of control, Peanut is ripping out little chunks of fur, and now she has become Mike Tyson, she ripped Fred's ear today. I cleaned it with warm water FYI.
I don't think it has to do with the introduction process, from when I got Fred and Oscar, it spanned out for more than 6 weeks, and I introduced them slowly. I am clueless, and I have done a little bit of research on it, but come up empty handed. Can anyone lend me a little bit of advice?? Thanks!!

P.S. Sorry about any spelling mistakes, just a little tired.

**luckies4me** · 01-15-2003, 02:22 AM

Oh sweetie, that's nothing. You will see a lot worse believe me. How old is she? Most likely she is in heat. Does get very um...awkward when they are in heat, escpecially when housed with neutered boys.

When she ripps out the fur, this is called barbering. Rats will force groom eachother to display dominance. Your bucks are just now starting to reach their teen years, and your doe needs to keep them in check. Once they are a little older they will defend themselves and she will know they mean business. Unless she seriously wounds him (ear is nothing

) there is no need to worry. Rats are great at working out their issues.

You should clean his ear with a little more than water. Rats are very prone to abscesses so even the littlest scratch can lead to an infection. Do you have any iodine solution, or betadine? You would need to use a VERY small amount on a cotton ball. Than put a little neosporin on it to make sure it doesn't get infected.

I hope this helps. Ear tears are VERY common.

Cass

**luckies4me** · 01-15-2003, 02:30 AM

By the way YLL, my site is up if you want to check it out. I have yet to finish every page but it's at least half way done.

You can visit it here

I also revised my feeding article to include more helpful information as well as helpful links. feeding

Hopefully I will have more articles up shortly. I have been so busy lately.....

Also, I thought you may want to see my dumbo fawn buck Meeko. Isn't he a cutie? He is going to be entered in the upcomming RPNW show in Port Orchard Washington this March, in the dumbo, satin and squishiest rat class. He has grown considerably since this photo was taken, and it's only been a week.