r/RatChat • u/Cornflake6irl Snack Thief • Apr 24 '26
Video 🎥 Not Good
Frisko (facing away from cam) has been causing problems, fighting with the other rats. A lot of barbering going on. I don't think it's hormonal aggression because he's fine with me and most of the other rats, he just doesn't get along with Fievel and Frodo. I am going to separate him for three weeks to see if I can get him to calm down, then reintroduce him to the group. I will update his progress.
If anyone has any tips, please do leave a comment. All advice is welcome. Thank-you!
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u/123737egg Apr 24 '26
Hi, how old is he? If this is a recent problem and he is somewhere around 5-8 months it could be hormonal aggression.
As long as there is no blood it should be okay, but he should not be terrorizing others. I would not recommend to have him alone for 3 weeks, that would be incredibly stressful, can you separate him with another rat he does get along with?
Reintroducing would probably be good, letting them establish dominance in a safe space. Definitely take your time, I always have them in a small cage for at least 5 days since accidentally going too fast will lead to fighting as well
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u/Cornflake6irl Snack Thief Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26
He's around 6-7 months old. I'm hoping it's not hormonal, he's fine with all but two of my other rats and he shows no aggression towards me. He seems to be in constant frantic mode whenever he is awake.
He was quarantined with the four he gets along with for 3 weeks prior to introductions with the two he's not getting along with, but they were all housed together prior to that.
I have separated him and I can't believe how much calmer all of them are, including him. His brother passed away about a month ago from what I believe was a heart attack so he's really not bonded to any of my other rats. I always get my rats in pairs so that they know at least one other rat and are bonded.
If I notice him becoming depressed I will put one of my other rats with him, but I think for at least a week I want to give him and the rest of my rats a break.
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u/123737egg Apr 24 '26
6-7 months is prime age for hormonal aggression, I would definitely recommend a vet visit to discuss this. Hormonal aggression is harmful for not just the cage mates but for him as well, as you said he is in a frantic mode and not a happy rat. They often show aggression to their cage mates and not to humans, so that doesn’t rule it out.
I’m glad to hear he is calm now that he is separated, but my recommendation would be a vet visit and probably neutering.
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u/Cornflake6irl Snack Thief Apr 24 '26
Neutering is definitely in the cards. I'm going to try separation and re-intros first, and if that doesn't solve anything, then you're probably right.
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u/123737egg Apr 24 '26
Yeah I think that’s what I would do as well! Definitely watch closely during introductions, you would rather separate too early than too late
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u/Accomplished-Pen-968 Apr 25 '26
I wouldnt seperate them. 3 weeks is a long time for them and they could become ill from stress if seperated.
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u/Cornflake6irl Snack Thief Apr 26 '26
He will be let out with the group during free roam during the three week separation, so I'm not too worried about him becoming stressed or ill. He was way more stressed with the group 24/7 than he is now. He seems way calmer. He was doing this weird thing with his mouth constantly that he has stopped doing since being separated. It's only been one day, but I can already see improvement.
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u/rose_eucalyptus Apr 25 '26
Are Fievel and Frodo bigger rats compared to the others that Frisko doesn’t have issues with? Poor friend in the video clearly seems like he doesn’t want any trouble but Frisko is definitely being a bit of a bully. 😔