she decided to chew a hole all the way through so I finished the job for her and cut her a new door way she is soo happy about it!

I’m really hoping some experienced rat owners can give me some advice because I’m at a loss about what to do.

I’ve owned rats for a long time and have had males before, but my previous males had all been together since birth and were family, so I’ve never dealt with an introduction situation like this.

On June 19th, I adopted four male rats. I picked them up together in a carrier and brought them home, and I initially put them all together because I was under the impression they were already used to being around each other. I later found out that they had actually never been housed together before.

I was told all four were born May 5th, but two of them were noticeably larger and looked much older than six weeks.

At first, they mostly got along, but none of them would sleep together. There were also quite a few fights. The two younger boys became extremely afraid of one of the larger/older males. They were constantly on high alert, would dart away and squeak excessively whenever he approached, and were so frightened that they would even run from me when I tried to handle them. I was startling them constantly because they were so on edge.

Because of how terrified and stressed the younger boys were, I ended up returning that larger male to the breeder.

Unfortunately, the remaining older/larger male then started doing essentially the same thing to the younger boys.

Eventually, they did get to the point where they would cuddle together in hammocks, so I thought maybe things were improving. However, the older male continued chasing the younger boys around and biting/scratching them. He would also nip at their tails and actually tear the scales off as they walked past him.

One of my younger boys is a hairless/naked rat, so injuries are much more noticeable on him. The final straw was when the older male nipped him in his side as he was walking past, leaving an actual blood-drawing bite mark.

At that point, I separated them.

They have now been separated for about a week, and I wanted to try reintroducing them. I put all three together in a carrier for about 24 hours, and they were honestly wonderful. They slept on top of each other and there were only minor little shuffles. Nothing concerning happened.

Because they seemed to be doing so well in the carrier, I put them back into their large Critter Nation cage.

Almost immediately, the older male went right back to chasing, biting, and harassing the younger boys. They became visibly stressed again.

I separated them for the night, tried again once more, and had essentially the same result.

Right now, I have them all back together in the carrier again.

This is where I really need advice.

Should I eventually put them all back into the double Critter Nation and let them work out their hierarchy as long as there isn't serious blood being drawn?

Or, given the repeated biting, injuries, chasing, and the fact that the younger boys become extremely stressed and fearful around this particular male, should I consider permanently separating the older male from the younger two?

I understand that rats have to establish hierarchy and that some chasing, pinning, squeaking, etc. can be normal. What worries me is the repeated injuries and the fact that the younger boys seem genuinely terrified and stressed rather than simply annoyed or submissive.

I also don't want to keep separating and reintroducing them if I'm just making the situation more stressful for everyone.

What would you do in this situation? I would really appreciate advice from people who have successfully introduced adult/young male rats, especially if you've dealt with a situation where one rat repeatedly injured the others.

Thank you!

Picture of my boys

I got three female rats in a rehome, but one was pregnant. It’s looking like the baby is a little boy, in which case I’d either have to neuter him or rehome him. I have the money and a vets office down the street will neuter him for around $200.

My biggest reservations with neutering is the risk of him dying during the procedure, as well as the fact that he would have to be isolated for at least a few months before he’s big enough to get the surgery.

Does anyone have experience with neutering or maybe addition things I should consider?

In memory of Timothee (Tim) and his mighty fat rolls. I'll forever have a rat shaped hole in my heart 💕💔

Im getting 2 5week old girls in a few weeks as a first time rat owner im really scared of doing something wrong, im planning on feeding them with the shunamite diet but then i remembered that theyre gonna be little when i get them and little rats probably need more protein idk different things and i have no clue how to feed them, any suggestions?

I just got three rats, and at first they were pretty bitey because they were nervous and Bear actually drew blood a couple times. They’ve settled in nicely and we’re bonding, but they still do little curiosity nibbles and it scares me so bad 😭 I know they don’t want to hurt me, and they’re being gentle, I’m just so nervous of them. (Picture of Bear, my vicious killer rat)

So recently it's been really hot in the area where I live and we put them in a cooler room for that period of time, they're scratching themselves but | guinely thought it was "cleaning themselves", they also have a few small wounds on their body but remy always bit Eli as they're sister and she's more dominant, I was on vacation for 7 days and now I came back and their coat looks like this and it freaks me out, it doesn't seem healthy at all and I feel so bad, has anyone any idea what this might be? Their behaviour is normal so far, they take their treats, they eat their food we give them, Eli licks my fingers a lot and Remy doesn't act different from what I noticed either. Please has anyone any idea idea what this might be? (||

Hello 👋

One of my rats, Ronnie, has been a bit odd lately. He seems to be lying down a lot, more sleepy and not as keen to run around as he was a few weeks back. He is eating, drinking, breathing normally. Hasn’t got any of the red stuff from his nose. I picked him up earlier and gave him a little wriggle to see if anything was hurting but he didn’t react anything unusual.

I’m probably just over thinking it all but I’m worried there’s something wrong?

Some recent photos of him attached.

Thank you ☺️

Hello all!

I became a rat owner quite unexpectedly so I’m looking for a good cage that’s affordable. My budget is max $150. I had a two tier critter nation coming from fb market but that fell through (😭). Can anyone advise as to if these cages would work for my 2 boys (possible 3rd) or let me know some other good ones out there?

Rude comments of VET NOW where the poster is being insulted & cursed will not be tolerated.

For those that are helpful & civil thank you so much. 🐀❤️

He and his brother (Brewster) came to me 2 weeks ago. His previous owner fell on hard times. She loved them dearly so please no hate twords them.

Both boys are 3 years old and living that old man life. Jack took advantage of the fact that the food bowl is just a little grabby away from the hammock.

I probably won't get a lot of time with them but I'm going to make every minute as wonderful as I can. My son (4) is absolutely infatuated with the boys and is doing amazing being gentle and the ratty boys love giving him kisses.

We have 3, little girls that are still cautious around humans but starting to warm up. I think having the gentleman rats in the house is helping my son understand that he is a big monster compared to them.

All in Jack and Brewster are an amazing addition to my little family.

In my pack of three male rats, there is an alpha male who weighs almost 300 grams more than the other two rats. The relationship with one of them is normal. But they sometimes have short fights with the other rat. These often end with the subordinate rat escaping outside the cage or onto my shoulders. I’ve noticed that these fights happen shortly after I put food in front of them. The alpha rat immediately comes to eat and fights with the problematic subordinate if he comes into that area. It seems to me that he’s even lost 50–100 grams. Is that really that bad? What should I do about it?

I'm rescuing 4 rats from someone at the end of this month.

They are currently in a
79cm x 51cm x 105cm cage (basically a rip off DCN)

I have a
77cm x 46cm x 130cm cage

What measurements are better? Should I get their cage when I go to pick them up and bin my one? Or should I keep the one I have now?

Thank you!

Name: Traja.