Chewing rats!!!

[dolphin_6876]

I have a major problem with the newest girls. I got them two weeks ago, they had lice, which is being treated and I'm glad to report NO symptoms!! But the problem lies within their mouth. They chew everything!!! If it gets remotely close to the cage it is chewed. They have chewed everything from my cell phone charger to my shoes! clothes, nothing goes unchewed! I've owned hundreds of rats and I have never had this problem...yes they chewed stuff, but not to this extreme. They also have a tendency to bite, but my son holds them everyday for quite a while and that is slowing down. One also looks to be pregnant...I thought both were, but now it looks like the possibility of one being pregnant. Does anyone have any suggestions? This is just very frustrating.

[mulder]

whoa. sounds like you have a lot going on. well for starters, glad to hear the lice is gone . second....rats chew things. if youre previous guys didn't....then you were lucky. i NEVER keep anything within rat-arms reach of their cage, i've gotten my jacket chewed among my cell phone charger cord as well. they're rodents, they chew, just cater to it.
the biting-while-holding probably has nothign to do with their general chewing habits. if you eeep when they nip you, they'll learn it hurts you. my boys mostly lick, but they use their teeth to try to groom me as though i had fur. when i rat bites you and mean it, you'll know, it HURTS and draws blood. so if their nipping isn't like this, then you're fine. they could be letting you know they're tired of being held, or they'd rather run around. plus i've hear that giving treats through the cage bars, almost trains them to grab anything that comes close. i've made a conscious effort to NEVER, not once, give mine treats this way. i always open their door and stuff. now i'm able to stick my finger through the bars to tickle them, and they dont' try to eat me lol.

with the prego thing....i suggest posting pics of the rats so we can see, it'll help immensly

[dolphin_6876]

Thanks, I just haven't gotten around to get to my mom's w/ my camera software to be able to post any pics...my computers down and I log on either at school or her house. My females bite. They nip occasionally but they definitely bite...the wounds bleed forever and hurt!!! So far they've just nipped me but bitten two of my kids and my fiance. My youngest also has luck he's not been bit yet. He's the one who holds them a lot. I've had rats that chewed, just not like this...it's everything! They get on the bed and they start chewing the sheets or the clothes you are wearing....it just seems obsessive. I guess I'll just try to deal with it. Could they also be doing that so excessively because they're pregnant...again never had it happen before, but then again I've never had rats chew like this either.

[Vanilla_Rat]

Well rodents chew,it is just a thing about rodents.Some seem to do it more then others.I have had rats that barely chewed anything and then ones who constantly chew everything.Provide them with things to chew on,like wood or hard food/treats.

As for the biting,do both do it? Pregnant rats do sometimes get moody and I have heard that some can just start biting and acting aggressive.I have had pregnant rats and never had this problem.

Here is some info on biting rats...hope it helps!
Fancy Rats | Information | Guides | Rats That Bite

[mtmaughan]

The seem to have been poorly socialized. How old are they? Definitely give them things to chew on. If it really is as out of hand as you say, the chewing you describe could be some sort of neurotic behavior due to lack of attention. However, this explanation is probably only reasonable if they are adults. I hope they aren't too young, as you say one might be preggers, but if they are young, they might just be chewers all their lives.

[dolphin_6876]

Thanks for the responses. I am not sure how old the rats are exactly, although they are adults. I bought them at a pet store...they were the last two in the large rat cage...and I fell in love with one of them she was just so cute and I didn't want to see her go as food. She had an awesome looking coat and was sweet as could be when I held her. I didn't want to have her in a cage by herself so I bought the other one...who was a little aprehensive about being held...she is the one I believe is pregnant. I brought them home, gave them a bath put them in their new home and they changed drastically. The next day my oldest boy was playing with the pregnant one and she bit him. And she got him really good. we have been able to handle the non-pregnant one for about 10 minutes at a time now, but the pregnant one is hands off! You go to get her and she tries to bite. They were feeder rats so I'm sure they just need the attention. I do give them hard treats and chew blocks. Do you think rawhides would work also? I'm planning on putting the pregnant one in a cage by herself tonight or tomorrow she needs to be by herself when the babies come hopefully that will calm her down. Maybe she's just nervous w/ the other female in with her.

[Vanilla_Rat]

Rawhides work or even chicken bones (they do not splinter and harm rats as they do with dogs).I give mine milkbones for their teeth too.

Yeah,the pregnant one is probably biting due to the fact she is pregnant and stressed.Was your son playing rough with her? Like I mentioned,some pregnant rats do get moody.

[dolphin_6876]

They do get dog bones and on occassion(about 3 times a week) get chicken bones. I have seperated the girls now so when the one has her baby there isn't another rat to interfere. And in response to if my son was playing rough with her, not that I'm aware of. She is like that with me sometimes too, although I have noticed this evening since they were seperated she is acting much more relaxed. Hopefully she'll stay that way! She even let me hold her w/o a towel tonight!!! I hope to have names for them soon, my son is having problems deciding what suits them best...lol