How to deal with an aggressive rat?

[minkajane]

We have two rats. One, Pinky, we've had for almost a year. She's very sweet and friendly and even lets DS hold her. The only time she bites is if you put your fingers in the cage because she thinks she's being fed.

The new one, Nicky, has been very aggressive from the start. We've had her a few months now. She had babies a couple of weeks after we got her, so at first I attributed it to the fact that she was pregnant and nursing. The babies have been gone for a month now and she's still aggressive. To open the cage, I have to stick my fingers into the opposite side so she'll run over there and open the door. If I try to feed her, she snatches at me, not the food. I can't hold Pinky anymore or take her out of the cage because Nicky attacks me. She literally attacks anyone that's anywhere near the cage. To clean the cage, I have to take her out wearing a thick glove because when I grab her tail, she bites me.

I've tried getting her used to being touched by petting her back when she's turned away. I thought we were doing better because she tolerated that longer than she used to, but after a couple of touches, she'll lunge at me. Today she caught me and bit my finger when I tried to pet her. She does the same when I try to pet Pinky, who's been showing signs of stress. Pinky loves being cuddled and we can't now because of Nicky.

What should I do? Is Nicky beyond hope?

[amber913]

Just so you know where i'm coming from: i've had rodents of all kinds, including a rat, but it was our rabbit that was aggressive, so that's where i'm pulling most of my advice.

First of all, i'd split them up so the nice one can get the amount of attention she's used to.

Second, i'd just keep trying. Talk to her from outside the cage, put on the heavy gloves and pet her, hold her if you can, for brief periods. Put her back/leave her alone if she appears scared. The trick is to teach her that you only mean to love her, but to do this without scaring the crap out of her. Think gentle nudges, not pushes.

I don't think she's beyond hope. The rabbit we had was mean for years--mostly b/c my brother got her as a teenager and didn't spend time with her. When he moved out (she was several years old), we moved her downstairs to the family room and just paid her enough attention that she learned that we weren't going to hurt her, but we never pushed her too far. She came to be a lap bunny, and she finally died in my arms, a beloved pet. I think the same goes for rats, i really do. Good luck!

[sagewinna]

ALL food should come from your hand. Use gloves of course. Don't give her a bowl, hand feed her. She needs to see that positive things happen from hands. When she tries to or does bite you, squeek loudly!

Is she aggressive just in the cage or out of it as well?

I have had a few aggressive and/or shy rats, one was undersocialized as a youngster and one was just wired wrong. I have some more ideas but need to know if it's cage related or just general.

[minkajane]

I've never been able to get her out of the cage except into a box I used to keep her in while I cleaned her cage out. We don't have a pen or anything she can play in (dogs would eat her). I will definitely start hand-feeding her inside the cage. Right now, I mostly hand-feed, but it's through the cage. She will claw at me and try to get my hand, letting the food fall to the bottom of the cage, then fight with Pinky over it later.

[PlayaMama]

i'm not sure, but it sounded like you are picking her up by her tail?

in addition to the advice above, i'd suggest not picking her up that way. go for a body scoop just behind her front legs so her whole body is supported.

[minkajane]

I've been picking her up by the tail because it's the only way I can manage to move her without getting bitten. When I go anywhere near her body, she always gets me. I will definitely try picking her up around the body with the glove.

[greenmagick]

hmmm, well, rats can be clicker trained...and in dogs and cats there are many ways to use a clicker to calm aggression. Maybe go that route? Youtube may have some videos on it...Kikopup has a LOT and she is a clicker trainer. Dont know if that helps at all.

[PlayaMama]

Originally Posted by minkajane

I've been picking her up by the tail because it's the only way I can manage to move her without getting bitten. When I go anywhere near her body, she always gets me. I will definitely try picking her up around the body with the glove.

the only reason i mentioned it was because it can be painful. so, if every time you pick her up it hurts, it's only going to make her not want to be picked up that much more.

i've had two rats myself and my previous house mates have had two but they've all been friendly. any other friends i've had with non-human liking rodents haven't had much luck changing that.

i would definitely separate them so the nice one can get positive human time.