[Sky14]

Ok I'm a nocturnal person so I'm up late at night. Lately when the lights are on everything is fine but when I'm trying to go to sleep I turn the lights off and that's when it starts! They start fighting, squeaking and just plain p***ing me off!

How can I stop them!? I need to sleep but they keep me up!

Help!

[Edited by mod (DonnaK) for excessive punctuation, shouting, non-specific title and cursing... this means you too, Sky!]

 

[Matt]

I know how you feel. The sound of rats fighting can get pretty anoying.
(I Dont know how to spell it.)
Also, on top of that, Bear will jump onto the Wheel!

IT DRIVES ME INSANE!

Please try to answer Sky14's Question...Please!

 

[Sky14]

Sorry DonnaK.

 

[DonnaK]

Sorry DonnaK.

No problem!

The only thing I can think of is to give them more/different toys to distract them from the fighting. Or move them to another room :lol:

 

[Sky14]

But really HOW can I get them to stop? It's mainly Velvet that starts everything... maybe if I put her by herself at night? :?

 

[DonnaK]

I don't think that would be very fair to her, unless she is at risk of being seriously injured...

 

[Sky14]

No injury risks but she is the one that starts everything!

 

[Poppyseed]

Possibly make sure they get lots of out time before you go to bed?

 

[mopydream44]

I don't know if you can get your ratties to stop fighting but perhaps you can listen to soothing music via boom box or mp3 player with headphones. The music may help calm your ratties as well.

Sigur Ros is excellent music to fall asleep to!

 

[Sky14]

I do listen to music! It doesn't seem to do anything for them though. Oh and I can't use headphones because I'll fall asleep with them on.

 

[JennieLove]

I think letting them out to play right before you go to bed might be the only thing...I mean, you gotta understand that rats are nocturnal and thats when they are up and wanna play with each other, westle around...its just what they do. Im also a night person and even though my boys are older and not as hyper as they used to be, I still hear small sqeaks every now and then.

You say that Velvet is starting everything? Is shes picking on the other rats? Sounds like shes being to rough and the others may be trying to tell her "get off!" It may not look like they are hurting each other, but she CAN be stressing the others out, and that can cause serious problems.

 

[Sky14]

How do I get her to stop! I've tried a few things but they don't seem to be working!

 

[DonnaK]

What have you tried already?

 

[Sky14]

Well I thought it might be dominance so I tried holding her upsidedown till she squeaked but thet did absalutaly nothing. And I've played with her more then the others thinking maybe she wanted more attention and nothing again!

Does the fact that she's a Dumbo mean anything? I've heard that Dumbos can be "meaner".....

 

[JennieLove]

Well I said just let them have some outtime before you go to bed...See if that works and if it doesnt, then come back and ask that question again.

 

[Sky14]

Ok I'll let them be "free" for a while tonight and see if anything changes.

 

[DonnaK]

Good idea. See if you can put something new in their cage for them to play with, too... that might distract them from picking at each other a bit, in case they are bored.

 

[JennieLove]

Keep us updated! I'll keep thinking if this doesnt work for ya.

 

[Sky14]

What should I put in the cage? None of them are very playfull anymore.....

 

[DonnaK]

I don't know... do you have any boxes/tubes you can put in there for them to play in/hide in/chew? Paper bags are another a favourite with our rats... erm, anything you have lying around that won't hurt them that will peak their interest...