How to introduce an aggreesive rat?

Question

hey there, I've had one of my rats, dude, for over a year now. He was very aggressive towards me and my partner at first, would bite really hard, but in the end he settled down.

Later on, our female died, and we decided to get a new boy and attempt to gradually over time introduce him to dude.

All seemed well. Introduced them on neutral terriorty and were happy enough ith them to put them in the same cage, we decided to put them in the new rats cage, mo, as he was the sub rat.

They seemed fine for a couple of days, and we decided we didn't want an empty cage, so we picked up another couple of boys. Later that night, Mo appeared absolutly terrified of dude, and while wondering what to do with poor mo, we decided to join him with the new guys. He was scared at first, well both parties were, but they settled in well. (cage is big enough for 5 rats before anyone asks).

Now that the 'new boys, ben and socs have grown and so they have a chance to fight back, i decided to try them again, with water spray readily available to pick up any fighting.

I thought that 3 would maybe make dude feel a little intimidated, and settle down, however sadly he is still the one to attack. i've been trying this for 3 days, and not really much progress. All on neutral grounds. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas how i could get poor little dude some companionship?

Answer 1

rats are wonderful pets!

I'm not really sure if you should put him with other rats.

I had a rat then introduced a new rat much later on, and it all ended badly- the new on killed my 1st ratty. it was very sad.

Answer 2

Are they really rats? Mice are social creatures, and as long as none of them are differnt (ex, 3 white, 1 black) then they should get along really well naturally. But rats.. i am pretty sure are aggresive by nature. I wouldnt suggest you keep them in the same cage. Even hamsters can get territorial. Id introduce them but Id still have seperate living arrangements. But rats?! Gross lol

Answer 3

He just may be one of those rats that needs to live a solitary life. I had a female rat like this and she lived out her days alone. I would give her extra attention because she was by herself but it never seemed to bother her.

Answer 4

Wow, thats alot of information for a quick and simple answer.  If you still have the extra cage, put the aggressive rat(s) in it and simply place it next to the other rats cage.  Give it about a week, they get use to the smell of each other and they can see each other daily.  They will get use to each other gradually.  

Answer 5

spend your money on sponsoring a child in  a third world country where a rat would be a meal...you will feel so much better than frittering your expendable cash away on vermin

Answer 6

You ask "How to introduce an aggressive rat?"

I can think of no better way than to say:

"Hello, this is my rat.  Mind how you go when you stroke him, though - he can be a little grumpy at times."