Just had my rat put down for aggression. My poor baby :(
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Sweet little ratty. I’m so sorry he had to cross the rainbow bridge so soon. 🐀🌈💛
thank you
I know I did the right thing but it's so hard going down to 3 rats at a moment's notice, I need to remeasure their food now too and it's heartbreaking
That’s tough 😢 😭 😔thank you
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I personally never do that. Since I have no kids or life, I work with them including neutering. I know for some this is a personal sacrifice so I do understand. For me, PTS is not an option.
With girls it's unfortunately the only option. Spaying doesn't do anything for them and 'training it out' is a myth. It's really upsetting but she was suffering (aggression makes them constantly stressed out and scared) and that was the only option. I'm just really glad I was able to and glad she isn't suffering anymore.
We do have a boy who was neutered for aggression (and of course wouldn't be put in with the girls otherwise) but that only works for males from 5-9 months. Dusty was from a shady background and we don't know if there was a history genetic aggression in her line, wherever she was from. She was a danger to the other rats and me, but most of all she was suffering every day, since aggression is like a severe mental illness that doesn't go away. If I knew as little about rats as I did a few years ago, I would have tried to train it out, but unfortunately that's not possible at all.
I miss her but I know I did the right thing!
I wouldn't really be comfortable rehoming an aggressive rat, PTS is the best option!!
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I had a cage aggressive girl and I learned to work around that. Rehoming to someone experienced with aggressive rats is also an option. PTS should only be until after every avenue is exhausted and not used as a matter of convenience. IMHO
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In my += years as a rat dad, I have never PTS due to aggression. Male or female. I have the resources and the patience to work around that type of thing. With my boys, they get neutered. When I had females, I dealt with it by just being cautious. It's not for everyone, but I don't care for euthanasia when there are other options including rehoming to someone who is versed in aggressive babies. My experiences may be different from others, though.
Unfortunately it's unethical to rehome aggressive rats. I know people who have had a rat who previously only bit once and then later lashed out and killed a cagemate in a moment's notice. Aggressive rats are suffering and aggression never goes away. Training it out doesn't work, it only temporarily takes away a trigger for the aggression. Rehoming aggressive rats is also very dangerous for other rats, as introductions are a huge aggression trigger for a lot of aggressive rats. Aggressive rats are suffering, so the best option is euthanasia (except of course in males from 5-9 months). I have plenty of patience with my rats, but that has nothing to do with it. 'Training out' aggression does not work in the long run and keeps a suffering rat alive, scared every moment. I understand what you mean but aggressive rats are suffering and should be PTS if they can't be neutered.
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