How to Eliminate Rat Aggression

Dealing with aggression in your pet rat can be very frustrating. Rats can become aggressive for many reasons including hormones, a past history of neglect or abuse, and general stress caused by a change in their environment, illness, loss of a rat companion or the addition of a new rat into the family. If your rats is having problems there are ways to help eliminate rat aggression.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Vanilla extract or pudding
• Rat treat
• Petalive Aggression Formula granules
• Spray bottle containing water

1. Rub a few drops of vanilla extract or some chocolate pudding on your rat's back and at the base of his tail. If he is being aggressive with you rub vanilla extract or chocolate pudding on your hand. If the aggression is with another rat then apply the same treatment to the new rat. Vanilla extract and chocolate pudding will not hurt the rat, but it will hide the scent of the individual who is offending your rat. This odd smell will encourage the rats to groom each other or your hand, starting a natural bonding process.

2. Have patience. If your rat is being aggressive with you sit by the cage with his door open and allow the rat to leave the cage and come up to you when he's ready. Have a treat in your hand to show him that interacting with you is a good thing.

3. Try homeopathy to eliminate rat aggression. Petalive Aggression Formula is an all natural, safe product that can be put into your rat's drink or yogurt. It has a calming effect to help eliminate rat aggression without changing his personality.

4. Give him a friend. Rats are social creatures and can get very lonely and stressed if they are the only rat in the house.

5. Consider neutering your male rat to eliminate aggression. Hormone levels can have a huge effect on your rat's behavior, especially when he is going through his teenage phase (about six months old) and testosterone levels are in overdrive.

Tips & Warnings

• Signs of aggressive behavior in rats include back arching, scratching, biting, starting fights with other rats and using a sideways strut when approaching.

• Keep a spray bottle of water handy in case your rats start to fight.

• If you are considering neutering your male rat to eliminate rat aggression talk to your veterinarian about the risk involved with anesthesia use in rats.

Resources

• Petalive Aggression Formula From The Herbs Online Website