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Why has my pet rat become vicious towards other animals2007-11-24 22:19:56

Here is a link about the subject:

http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/board/to...

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Two things come to mind.

The first is that your rat is ill and that has changed his disposition.

The second is that your rat is in rat teenagerhood. Animals go through some of the same developmental behaviors as human beings do. Is it too young to be a rat teenager? How about the rat equivelent of a human two year old?

I would have the little ratty checked out by a vet, just to make sure he's okay.

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He may getting older, and not want to be around the other two critters. Its really strange he would be attacking a dog. I guess it depends on the size of the dog, or maybe he feels threatend.

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Rats usually do well with other pets but not with other 'rodents' like mice, hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs. I'm suprised he was even nice to them in the first place.

Rats have actually been bred for so long, the biting reflex is almost totally gone from the animal.

However, if it has been living under stressful conditions and is motivated out of fear, then he may be prompted to bite in order to preserve his life.

Do you supervise all pet encounters? You pet rat may have had a nasty accident and he associate the dog and guinea pig with it. Maybe he was bitten or hurt by the dog?

He may also be injured so he bites the other two animals to keep away from him. This happens when some rats bite when we pick them. We cause them to be in pain so they bite to make us let go.

I suggest you take a close look at the conditions your rat has been living in. It may be easier on his nerves to put his cage in a quieter place.

Build back his trust by just playing with him one on one again for a few weeks until he is ready to be let out with the other two animals again. Go right back to proper introductions and distract him with treats so he won't be tempted to bite them.

Good luck.