Help! I have 2 rats and they're always fighting.

[Demonamol]

Help! I have 2 rats and they're always fighting. There's a big fat one that keeps steeling the little one's food and generally going for him for no reason! The last rat did this to him aswell. They're from the same mischief so I wouldn't expect this to happen as often as it does. Is there any way I can stop them other than separation? I know this isn't a good idea because they're sociable animals. I've previously thought a bit of time apart would do them good but the second I put them back together, they just begin to fight again.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Cheers

[andy-hughes]

Even if rats are birthed together, as they grow, such a bond is forgotten, and they become simply rats who look for their place in the hierarchy.

A large rat will nearlyalways dominate a smaller one, including fighting and taking food. It's the natural order, and as you have diuscovered, even a time apart does not overcome the larger rat's urge to stamp his authority on the smaller one.

All you can do is keep them apart - it could well be that tbe bigger rt will eventually kill his smaller collague - in the wild, the smaller rat would move away and live elsewhere, domestic rats do not have that option, so beware of the potential consequences.

[jadeymodel]

andy that is xactly what I would have suggeted.

I think its time for separation...gay as this may sound but the smaller rat will not & cannot be happy living with this. I'm sure if he had a choice he'd rather live alone and happ than in company of another who fightsand takes its food.

In taxonomic groups there is a fight of authority...sounds to me like the small rat is at the bottom of the pecking order as it has happened to him before. I strong suggest separation...and don't feel guilty for this as they have your love and atention to satisfy the bully and skinny milinky! :)

haha! good luck and plz keep me informed on ur decision!!!

x