2 new rats, how to stop the fighting?

Question

We had 2 rats, Milo and Skinny. Skinny is hairless and Milo is a regular hooded baby. We got two new rats, one baby who's a little younger than Milo and one old had who is 2.5 years old. The old one who we just got is really dominant and him and skinny really got into it. Skinny has scratches and one small gash that's not too deep, but still there nevertheless. We introduced them all in a neutral environment where the 2.5 year old started raising h**l already. Both Milo and the new baby already got sit on and accepted it and, though terrified, don't raise his agression too much. The problem is Skinny who doesn't put up with him and doesn't accept his dominance. Since he's a hairless rat and a little smaller than the old rat we are quite afraid of his well being especially since it seems like there's worse to come. After we put them in the cage it was all pretty calm for about 15 minutes with slight disagreements, but then they got really into it into the cage sending bedding and litter everywhere. Skinny has quite a few scratches now and it's petty alarming how they are towards eachother. How are we going to settle this if we can settle this at all? They are all males, so should we keep the older dominant one separated?

Answer 1

I think this is one of the more difficult cases, simply because they're both males and also the fact that the sense of who's dominant hasn't been established. I suggest you keep the fighting rats separate and wait a while before bonding them again. Also, next time before letting either one of them vulnerable, set Skinny out and have the dominant one in a cage to see how Skinny reacts. If he starts becoming more comfortable with the other dominant rat inside the cage, then continue to do the opposite - Skinny in the cage, while the other one out. If none of them are scared of the other or carries the urge to attack the other, then try setting them together - as they are both out in the open together, gently push down on Skinny's head to show that he's not the dominant one. I think after Skinny acts more submissive, he won't have to worry about his well being:)