Bully rat!!

[u/amazinguserrname]

Hey everyone! So I recently got 4 rats from someone rehoming them. I have 3 males and 1 female (spayed). This evening, I've found that one rat (Rupert) has ended up in a fight with my other two boys about half an hour apart. He had a fight with Spike, and Spike fought back but then ran away. Rupert was pretty fluffed up about it, so I waited for a bit and then took Spike out of the cage about 20 minutes later once it had calmed down

Then, as soon as I put Spike in the cage, Rupert tried to start on him again and Spike ran away. (They didn't really fight as he just ran away)

Anyways, I then hear a squeak and Rupert and Angel just had a fight. They ended up in a ball and Angel was squeaking a ton, and then they ended up on their back feet (Rupert fluffed up again), but then it calmed down

I feel like Rupert is the one starting on the others. They're 7-9 months old. Should I already start thinking about taking the ball privilege away from Rupert? Is there anything else I could do? Can I neuter him and not the other two? No other fights have happened but I don't want anything else to happen to please give some advice!

[u/HiroHayami]

🥥🥥✂️

[u/amazinguserrname → u/HiroHayami]

Is it okay to neuter one and not the others? I do have a spare cage, but it's pretty small! Definitely not a 50x80. Will that be okay if it's temporary?

[u/HiroHayami → u/amazinguserrname]

Yep, you only need to revoke ball rights of the aggressor. The other ones can keep dragging them.

[u/amazinguserrname → u/HiroHayami]

Yes that sounds all good. Since my post he's had a fight with Spike twice, and whenever Spike sees him, he runs away. Should I put Rupert in a temporary cage? I'm about to go to sleep but I don't want any conflict happening tonight

[u/HiroHayami → u/amazinguserrname]

Yes. As long as he has balls he can't be around his siblings.

[u/123737egg]

Hi, 7-9 months is prime time for hormonal aggression, might be time to neuter!

If you haven’t already, make sure you have a second cage. If he is aggressive he should be separated as it’s dangerous and stressful to keep them together, and he should also have his own cage to recover from the surgery.

[u/amazinguserrname → u/123737egg]

Is it okay to neuter one and not the others? I do have a spare cage, but it's pretty small! Definitely not a 50x80. Will that be okay if it's temporary?

[u/123737egg → u/amazinguserrname]

Yes only the aggressor needs neutering!
I would see if you can find a cage that’s big enough, after neutering it can take some time for the hormones to go down, so if possible bigger is always better

[u/amazinguserrname → u/123737egg]

And will he be okay by himself for that time? I know it's a medical thing so it needs to be done but is there any way I can make it easier for him?

[u/123737egg → u/amazinguserrname]

Yeah he should be okay! Of course it’s not ideal, but as you said it just has to be done.
You can of course spoil him and give him lots of attention and treats! You can give him foraging toys so he doesn’t get bored as well.

I’m not sure how long it takes until he can be introduced to his friends again, so I’d discuss that with the vet! After the neutering he should be introduced as if he were a new rat, so on neutral ground etc.

[u/amazinguserrname → u/123737egg]

Yes that sounds all good. Since my post he's had a fight with Spike twice, and whenever Spike sees him, he runs away. Should I put Rupert in a temporary cage? I'm about to go to sleep but I don't want any conflict happening tonight

[u/123737egg → u/amazinguserrname]

Yes if he’s being aggressive or bothering his friends a lot I would separate them. Hormonal aggression can be really stressful for all rats involved, so he might feel more calm on his own.

[u/hades7600]

Neutering or implant for the aggressor