How can you keep your pet rats from fighting with each other?

Answer 1

On ratsThese gnawing little rascals can get down right miserable when mating time comes, and even like some male humans, rats will fight with each other. You cannot stop any rodents from fighting with each other. Separate them. If you need them to get along, put their cages next to each other but make sure they can't go out and have them see each other and get to know each other through "bars," so to speak.

How long have you had the rats? If you've just got both of them, or had one and just got a new one they'll "fight" to establish dominance no matter what. Very rarely will new rat acquaintances get along right off the bat. If there are just meeting each other the best thing to do is to keep them in separate cages near each other for about a week. Then let them together on neutral ground, like your bed, where neither of them has marked and made it "theirs". There is the possibility that they just don't like each other. Some rat people would say, and argue their point, that rat's never "just don't get along" , but it happens. Try what I suggested..don't expect them to get along right away, give them time together on neutral ground, and let them have their minor scuffles(break them up if it gets serious) to establish dominance, it's important. I have two rat boys who are brothers and have been together their whole life, even they "wrestle" occasionally. Keep them away from female rats too..hormones and all ;) .

What exactly is "fighting"? Do they stand on their hind legs and "box" each other? Is there a lot of indignant squeals? Does the loser get groomed? If so then this isn't truly fighting, it's squabbling. There's a difference. All rats will always squabble, but still remain friends. Now, if there's absolute shrieking, fur flying, a submissive rat cowering in in the corner or taking cover, then you have a bully..or two bullies. What's usually done is one rat (usually the bully) is castrated, but even if it wasn't the aggressor the actual aggressor will accept the castrated rat. If that doesn't work, you probably have a "sick" rat..mentally ill that is. And he needs to separated, but still have your companionship, if he's not aggressive to humans.

In Addition...There has been a lot of great advice offered here, but as a long time rat owner I have some of my own tips to share. Male rats, without a doubt, fight more often and more violently than females. This has to do mainly with the hierarchies they establish among themselves which can be very delicate and easily disturbed by the introduction of a new member. Rats recognize each other (and their owners) through smell, and they associate these smells with ranks in the hierarchy. When introducing new rats, take great care to ensure the environment is neutral. Rats form bonds in two major ways: through traumatic experiences and through sharing food. Normally, I run a warm bath for them in the tub. They are excellent swimmers but don't really enjoy water, but sharing a bath should be traumatic enough to allow them to put hierarchy aside. I also give them a snack once the water has drained, like peas or Hot Dogs, to give them something else to bond over. In addition to creating an experience they can bond over, the bath provides an opportunity to neutralize their scents. I wash them with baby shampoo, and (a little trick of the trade) I put a tiny dab of vanilla extract right between their shoulders so as to ensure that they all smell the same to each other. Once they are dry, I distribute equal amounts of love and eventually place them back inside their cage which should be freshly cleaned and free of any items (hammocks, toys, etc) that smell strongly of the previous rats. It is for sure a laborious process, but it will be worth it if you're concerned about your rats living together in peace. There have also been times when none of these tricks have worked, and in those cases I opted to neuter the most aggressive males. It's an expensive option, but everyone (including the patient) is happier in the end. Rats are social animals and need to live with other rats, so make sure you've exhausted all your options before you separate them for good!

Put them in separate cages

Answer 2

Well if they don't get along don't force it just like dogs and people all rats don't get along just like all dogs don't get along and all people don't get along