Reader questions and feedback on the behavior of humans and animals. Also refer to emotional, anti-social, uncontrolled, group, mob mentality, rules, laws, motivations, addiction, anger, fear, joy, sorrow, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Answers to Readers' Questions on Behavior:
Rats
The following 38 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- Rat puts her tail in the fish tank
- Saw a rat and worried it will get in the house
- Pet rat became paralyzed
- One pet rat seems to be the boss
- Pet rat is afraid of being picked up
- Rat attacked new hairless dumbo rat
- Younger rat picking on older one
- Rat is constantly sniffing other rat's rump
- Do wild rats eat peanut shells?
- How can you tell if a rat is paralyzed?
Rat puts her tail in the fish tank
Question
September 10, 2009
I have 2 pet rats - one is very friendly "Pepper" and the other one "Cookie" is kind of shy - we have caught her sitting on top of our fish tank and dangling her tail in the water as if she is fishing - why do you think she might be doing this?
Lorraine - USA
18294
Answer
Rat are very intelligent animals. Although she may have her tail in the water because it feels good, she may also be using her tail to attract the fish. But I'm not sure how she could ever catch one, even if it came right up to the top of the water.
At the very least, enjoy watching their antics.
Saw a rat and worried it will get in the house
Question
June 10, 2009
I just read the Mr. Kurtus article about rat behavior. We saw a rat outside our house this week and this was the first case in the 17 years we have been here. It alarmed us. Could our relatively new composter, near the house, have attracted it? The wire is very dense so I don't think the rat could have gotten in and there is no sign that he did. However, is that what could have attracted him? We saw him in the location, however, near our bulkhead steps (going down to the basement). How do we check to see if he got into the house? Unlike you, I do not think I want to keep him as a pet. We put up with bats in our house but we draw the line at rats.
Thank you for whatever information you can send me.
- USA
17886
Answer
Domestic rats make good pets, but wild rats can cause damage and may spread disease.
Any type of food or a good place to nest could attract the rat to your house. You certainly want to make sure the rat does not make a nest in your house. Thoroughly check around your house for any holes or cracks where the rat might be able to get in. Also check around the roof area. Some breeds of rats like to get into the attic.
It might be a one-time situation, but it is good to keep your eyes open for any signs of the rat getting in your house. If you continue to see areas of rat droppings, you may have to set a trap. Using rat poison is not good, because you do not want a dead rat between the rafters in your house.
Pet rat became paralyzed
Question
May 6, 2007
My rat became paralyzed and couldn't move from time to time after an unsuccessful attempt at breeding. I took him to the vet, but the vet said that you could either give shots, or wait until it goes away. I couldn't see my rat in any pain so I agreed to wait. I've waited five months, and I don't see any improvements, I waited three more, he became less frequently paralyzed. I haven't seen any more changes, what's wrong?
Jenny - USA
13719
Answer
I'm not sure if your rat has a disorder, was injured, or has a genetic problem in becoming occasionally paralyzed. Although it may not look like he is in pain, it is very difficult to tell with small animals.
Eight months is a long time without any improvements, so it is unlikely he will get much better. I'm not sure what type of shots the vet was going to give your rat.
One thing to remember is that rats generally live only two or three years, so he may be near the end of its life cycle. The best bet is to keep them comfortable and well fed, such that he is a happy rat. You could check with the vet for suggestions also.
I hope your pet will be okay.
One pet rat seems to be the boss
Question
September 16, 2006
Thank you for responding to my question, since I 've written to you I have been able to pick up Shadow a couple of times. The way I do it is my hand goes over her body and head and then I lift but I still think she doesn't like it very much, I can tell Shadow is still terrified, when you mention offering her food by hand I have tried giving her food from my hand but any time my hand comes close to her her head goes down or she backs up close to the cage walls. Even when I offer her a carrot finger, so far I have never seen her eat one not even when I offer one to her, I usually just leave it right next to her head showing her it is there. I think Cocoa my other rat has become the dominant female rat in the cage, I have no problem with her taking food or even the carrot fingers from my hands. I also believe once I leave the room and have left a couple of carrot fingers in the cage I truly believe that Cocoa has taken them both even raw peanuts in a shell. I'm hoping that when I'm not around that Cocoa does let Shadow eat her share of the food, because when ever I pass the cage I have never seen Shadow eating any food.
Sharon - USA
11934
Answer
Although rats are social animals, often one will be so dominant that it becomes a bully. Such a rat will tease the other by biting its rear-end. You might try getting another cage--even if it is a small one--where Shadow can have her own space. You could make a connecting tube between the two or cages. Another thing you might try is to feed them separately. Take Cocoa out to play with her, and then put in some food for Shadow. When she is through, put in some more food for Cocoa. This way, Shadow will get enough and be able to eat in peace.
Have fun with your pets. They sure are interesting animals.
Pet rat is afraid of being picked up
Question
September 9, 2006
I bought two rats almost a month ago. One I named Cocoa, the other rat Shadow Runner (Shadow for short.) I have no problem with Cocoa, she will take food from my hand, sometimes she eats it right where she took it when I hand the food to her, or she runs and hides it, with Cocoa, she will let me take her out of the cage, hold her in my hands, sometimes she'll climb onto my shoulder for maybe a couple of minutes, and then put her back in her cage. Shadow is quite the opposite, she tolerates my petting her but when it comes to being picked up she freaks out. She squeaks and runs like crazy when I'm trying to pick her up, please help.
Sharonqq - USA
11881
Answer
Shadow may have been picked up and squeezed real hard or dropped before you got her, so she is terrified of being hurt or injured. It will take time for her to get to trust you. Try putting your palm out with some food in it and see if she will climb up and take the food. Then see if she will be curious enough to climb up your arm. But don't try to grab her and hold her. You have to have patience and always be aware that she may be afraid of getting hurt when being picked up. After a while, she should start to trust you more and soon may let you pick her up.
Rat attacked new hairless dumbo rat
Question
July 21, 2006
Hello! My family is the proud owners of 3 rats. We got Dora for my daughter about a year ago and loved her so much we decieded to get her a playmate so we got Pris for my other daughter about 6 months after Dora. Now 6 months later I bought a baby hairless dumbo rat. I bought her yesterday and brought her home. My children and I played with her all evening and I continued to play with her throughout the night hoping to help her adjust and make her feel less lonely. We introduced her to the other 2 rats yesterday as well in a neutral area (on me) and they got along. Today I allowed them all to play for awhile and even though the other 2 were not overly attentive to her they didn't seem at all bothered by her presence until the end of the visit. Paris (the middle child in our rat family) attacked my new baby rat Piglet and scratched her up a bit. Needless to say I thought maybe I would try and keep them seperated and even considered just going back to the pet store and buying another one to be Piglet's friend. Since we have the 2 cages there's plenty of room. However an hour after the attack we had some company over and wanted to show off our new addition. Piglet responded to my daughter reaching into the cage by biting her. We thought maybe there was too many people all standing in the room and perhaps she was still sore and upset from the attack so we left her alone. Once company had left and we were all alone again I went in to see her. I reached into the cage to touch her nose an stroke her face and she bit me. Now all day yesterday, last night, and for most of the day she didn't even attempt to bite and my 2 daughters and myself held her quite a bit off and on. Should I be concerned that she will be a biter? I've read the article about Stuart and I'm going to start with that idea so that I can still handle her and give her affection however since she wasn't a biter for the first 24 hours I'm wondering if it's something to do with the other rats or maybe she was just too scared yesterday to bite and now today she's feeling more like her real self? Please let me know what you think. I appreciate the help as I do love all our ratty ladies dearly and want for them and our family to be happy.
Dawn - USA
11521
Answer
Adding a new rat that is a different breed may present a threat to the established rats. Also, sometimes a larger rat will bully a smaller one. Paris probably has been picked on by the older rats, so now it is her chance to pick on someone else. Unfortunately, Piglet is so small that she is fair game and can't really defend herself. The problem is that she could be killed.
Since Piglet was attacked by Dora, she probably is under stress and doesn't know who will attack her next. That is why she started to bite whoever touched her.
Don't forget that rats have to be very trusting to allow a giant human to handle them. If they feel their life is being threatened, they may bite the hand that feeds them.
But still, they are great pets and very intelligent.
I think you will have to be careful with letting Piglet with the other rats. In time they may all get along--and I hope so. But until then keep an eye out for trouble.
Best wishes with your rat family.
Younger rat picking on older one
Question
June 25, 2006
One week ago, I bought 3-month old Pookie, a fully grown male rat, and then the very next day I picked up Nessie to keep him company. Nessie is also male, only 2 months old and about half Pookie's size. I didn't foresee any problem since both had been kept in the same cage at the pet shop.
However, small Nessie keeps attacking Pookie whom I hear squeaking miserably all day. When I let them out of their cage to roam freely, Nessie still goes after Pookie, bites his rump, or else he gets hold of his tail and doesn't let go.
I feel sorry for poor old Pookie who keeps rolling on his back in a defensive manner. Do you think young Nessie's bullying will ever stop? Should I put them in separate cages? Any suggestion will be much appreciated.
Lisa - Canada
11395
Answer
It sounds like Nessie is trying to prove he is the dominant one in his new environment. Also, he may be a bully and just want to pick on Pookie for some reason. When they were sharing a cage in the pet store, thee probably were other rats in the same cage, so such behavior might not be tolerated.
The best thing would be to either keep them separate or to bring one back to the pet shop. You want to have a happy pet, not one who is being tormented.
Although rats are someone social animals, a single rat can be a good pet, especially if allowed to occasionally roam around in a room. Two males may result in fights, while two females or a male and female would live more peacefully.
I hope you can work things out so that Pookie is not picked on.
Rat is constantly sniffing other rat's rump
Question
May 30, 2006
I own two pet rats. Rosey, and Pepper. Rosey is obviously the dominant female,she was there about a month before we got Pepper. But what I don't understand, is that Rosey is constantly licking and sniffing Pepper's rump,she's very pushey with pepper. Sometimes Pepper squeaks as if Rosey is hurting her. It doesn't look like she's hurting her. I just wanted to know if this was maybe a show of dominance or play? And if it is dominance, why every day, 24 hrs. a day??
They seem to get along great, except for when Rosey is being almost like a bully. I'd really appreciate your help. Thank you
Kyla - USA
11237
Answer
In establishing dominance, the goal is to bite the other rat's rump. It might be good to provide a hiding place for Pepper, so she can get some peace.
Also, just as there are bullies in humans, I'm sure there are bullies among rats. They keep needing to verify that they are the boss.
A good article on the social behavior of rats is at:
http://www.ratbehavior.org/norway_rat_ethogram.htm
Do wild rats eat peanut shells?
Question
May 11, 2006
DO Wild Rats eat peanut shells and pine cones?
- USA
11076
Answer
They might chew on them a little, but they really prefer nuts, seeds, and other foods.
How can you tell if a rat is paralyzed?
Question
January 7, 2006
how can you tell if a rat is paralyzed?
trish - USA
9592
Answer
Sometimes a pet rat can fall and injure its spine. If it is paralyzed, it is unable to move the affected area. Like if the spine was injured, it may not be able to move its rear legs.
Summary
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Answers to Readers' Questions on Behavior