Why have my rats begun to fight?

Question

Hi, I have two male rats. They're brothers, from the same litter.

I've seen them fight in the past, they do that thing where they nuzzle the exposed nape of the other. It's never been a problem and they've always got along really well.

Lately they have started doing it all the time. It's usually the dominant one who starts it.

I started putting empty shoe boxes in their cage with a door cut out for them to sleep in around the same time it started happening. Could it be some kind of conflict over territory? They have always slept curled up together and they do both sleep in the box together. They just fight so much and I don't know why.

Answer 1

I've got 11 male rats and scuffles do happen. Sometimes they're big, sometimes they're small. Honestly, you can't prevent male rats from fighting unless you plan on seperating them which is very unwise as rats LONG for that companionship. ^___^ I would not be too worried about it. If their scuffles are simply long bouts of squealing, rolling, hissing and rearing, you're fine.

If they begin to get bloody, however, you may need to do something such as, introduce items that have NOT been claimed.

IE - Take out the houses and give them only ONE NEW one to share. One that both can claim as their own. Same for a water bottle, food dish, etc. If they each have something else to claim, you may be giving them a reason to defend something, even if there really is no need for it.

But otherwise, don't worry about it. :D Boys will be boys. By boys spat frequently but they are usually harmless save for hurt feelings. Lol. You'll be alright. Brothers especially are tight in bond.

Answer 2

It is time to separate the boys.  You need another cage.  I don't think  it's the shoe boxes; I think they have just grown up and it is natural for them to fight.  Separate them into two cages and keep them apart from now on or one rat will eventually kill the other.

Answer 3

You can never keep two adult male rats together in the same cage, even if they are brothers.

They will keep on fighting until death. It is a territorial thing.

Rats are best kept on there own. Two Males will fight and a male and female will have lots and lots of babies.

Answer 4

depends if the cage is too small because rats will fight of territory and generly male rats just fight more than female rats and yes it can be a territory , and dominace but they shoudent fight if they were from the same litter but shes right the more dominate male rat could kill the other rat

Answer 5

You CAN have 2 male rats in the same cage, and it's NOT best to keep the rats seperate and alone. So that person above is just plain wrong. Rats need social interaction with other rats.

Boy rats go through puberty just like little boy humans, and we all know what that entails. The dominant one is trying to prove just that, he's the dominant male. When there are multiple male animals living together one will always be dominant. Usually after a few spats the other rats figure it out and everything goes back to normal. I would only be worried if the other rat seems like he's really being hurt. Sometimes rats can have aggression problems, but thats rare and usually comes from bad breeding. Another factor might be the size of the cage (rats like to have room to move around). Do you let them out to roam and play?  

Answer 6

i have male rats that are brothers from the same litter too, and they are fighting too but i think that they are just playing cause there not making one another bleed or anything and as soon as i come near the cage or open the lid they stop so i think that it is naturale, but im not positive, hope this helps

Answer 7

I think it would most likely be Territorial but probably cheek with you vet.