Rats getting desperate around food?

Question

I have 5 male rats together, and every time I feed them, things become so chaotic! The main problem is that two of them start stealing everyone's food, and the other 3 get defensive.

The two that do this used to live alone, so I think that they missed out on learning "manners" such as not to steal from everyone else. Another one is extremely timid, and starts stealing as soon as the other two begin doing it. The other two are really mellow, and only get upset if their food gets taken away by one of the other ones.

The issue is that once they get crazy over the food, they usually end up fighting. Nothing awful, but I'd like to prevent it if I can.

I never have this problem with my females, they all eat from one dish together, but they are also all sisters.

Now I am just used to separating the 3 problimatic boys to eat on their own, but I was just wondering if this happens to anyone else? And if anyone has been able to get them to stop?

Answer 1

If you like you could try to each give them their own dish, or take them out individually and feed them, it might help, its defenitely what I had to do with my girls. If this keeps going on I hope the two that get upset with the others stealing their, it depends on which one is alpha-ish? Try putting multiple dishes in their like I said, or feed each one individually,

it might help it just depends on your rats.

Good luck, I hope this clears up

Answer 2

i have learned that rats are very greedy little animals, but i wouldn't trade mine for the world.

however, you could separate them, and let them eat, or if you put enough in the cage to where they would eat until they get full there shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure there is enough for them to stuff themselves with, then later they should go and lay back in their "rat pile" in the corner of the cage.

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