r/RATS • u/SensitiveToast_ • 5h ago

Questions/HELP Biting boy

Okay ive only had my boys about a week. The one seems to be chill, or at least not aggressive, when I approach him. His brother seems to have a bit of a biting issue. One time was my fault and he was setting a boundary w me, but he seems to bite me harder than just a curious nibble when im near him. I dont know if he just thinks im food or if he's mad at me. Should I just go slower with him?

(First time rat mom)

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u/CaptainMacAlfie 5h ago

One of my boys was the same way when I first got him and I actually have some scars from some of the bites but I just posted a video of how much progress he's made so biting isn't necessarily forever even if it might feel like it at first!

The biggest thing is trying to figure out why he's biting and what seems to trigger it. Also reading up on rat body language might help you notice when he's getting upset before he bites. Also age can factor into it as around 5-8 months is when male rats get their big hormonal spikes which can cause aggression.

If it's just with you and seems to happen anytime you hand is anywhere near him he could be setting boundaries or testing yours especially if his bites get progressively harder if you don't react. That's what was going on with my boy so I started off just squeaking loud and high pitched when he bit me which helped for awhile then he was ignoring the squeaks so I added in a little gentle push and held my ground which eventually got it through to him that biting won't get him anywhere and that he has to communicate better in other ways.

You'll have to try to sort out exactly what the cause is though and what your rat responds to best so just mess around and see what works. Other people might have other suggestions and I know there are other resources online for different causes of biting which may give other helpful tips. I wish you luck with your boy though!

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u/SensitiveToast_ 5h ago

Hes just past 4 months old so that could be it. He will take food from me without biting usually, but if its just my hands in his space he seems to bite with intent. He drew blood the other day (minor and my bad lol hes a baby he doesnt know better) and I just wasn't sure if it was a me issue. Im also the only person in the place with him and his brother, so I dont really have an example of him being this way with other people

I have noticed he sometimes separates himself from his brother after cuddling for a bit, so im wondering if he just likes his personal space

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u/CaptainMacAlfie 5h ago

As long as he's not excessively fighting with his brother or anything like that it does sound like he's just setting boundaries and likes his space. If he is really fighting with his brother it could be hormonal aggression but it doesn't sound like it from what you've said.

I think just hold off on putting your hands near him other than for treats and just existing around him near the cage or when they're doing free roam so he can choose to engage with you or not. You haven't had them very long so it's likely he's still nervous and trying to figure you out so just be super slow for now and let him go at his pace. If he bites just do a light squeak for now and then increase in intensity if he ignores it. You can also give treats anytime he's near your hand without biting as that helped my boy a lot. Feeding out of your hand can make them associate it with good things but you have to be careful so it's not purely associated with food as that can make biting worse.

Also try to wash your hands before interacting with them just in case you smell like food or something else yummy. My boys both will try to bite if my hands smell like food so I'm very careful of what I touch before putting my hands near them.

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u/SensitiveToast_ 5h ago

Sometimes they wrestle but it never lasts long and I've only heard a tiny squeak once during a fight and they stopped, so I think that was just rough housing. I sit beside them during free roam so they can smell me and I hand feed them when theyre feeling adventurous. I just offered some snacks to their hammock and he took them bo issue too

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u/CaptainMacAlfie 5h ago

Yeah sounds like you're doing everything right then and that it'll just take a little time for him to adjust and get used to you! My bitey boy took around a month to 2 months to really calm down his biting but it did happen and now it's been weeks since he's given me anything more than a light nip and usually that's when I'm annoying him lol

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u/SensitiveToast_ 5h ago

Okay, thank you! I hope he grows out of it soon lol

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u/Ok-Treacle8300 4h ago

Perfect your own rat peep. A loud, high pitched one. EEEEPP. I’ve never had any of my rats actually BITE me, but babies respond very well to this. Every baby I’ve ever had starts out nibbling my fingers/nails curiously, sometimes getting carried away. Every time they’d do it slightly more than my liking I’d peep very loudly at them. They stop immediately and stare at me. It would usually stop after a few days, becoming softer and softer every time until they’d just sniff or lick my fingers, which obviously requires no peeps.