Attacking =_=+++++

[Mimzy]

So my friend just bought her first two male rats, in July. I would say they were born about late may, early June. 1 of her rats Congac is biting a lot. Her mother put her hand in the cage and he charged her and bit her. My friend also got bit by him last night. Both times he drew blood. Hypno isn't biting, he's actually really good. I just told her it might be that he's going into puberty and what-not..and i`m hoping that's the reason, because he's getting worse.

[kenRakuu]

Does he only act like this inside the cage?
Is he play fighting before the act?
Does he attack his Cage mate?
How old is he?
Are these Petshop Rats?

[Mimzy]

He doesn't, because outside of the cage he bit my friend pretty bad, inside the cage he bit her mom pretty bad.
They're usually sitting in the corner or waiting for my friend to come up the stairs.
He is the submissive one believe it or not, and his littermate have been getting into pretty bad fights recently.
They are Pet-Shop rats.

[jorats]

That little guy is stressed out and biting is how he deals with it. He needs a neuter.

[Mimzy]

She's planning on getting him neutered. There's a lot of cat smells in the house, and my friend works with dogs, as do I. That might also be an issue?

[mishasmom]

Sounds like he is becoming cage aggressive. Neutering should help. I have cats and dogs in my house also and have not had a problem although all rats are not alike. You may try and wear some really heavy gloves so you can put your hands in the cage. If you always retreat than Congac has won. Rats are very smart and will keep this behavior up to keep from being held or having their terrritory invaded. Just a thought.