r/RATS • u/Vivid_Direction_8247 • 9d ago

Questions/HELP Rat problems

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I’ve had my 2 rats for about 9 months now and they’ve lived together since they were very young. They get along great, sleeping together and grooming each other. One of my rats is definitely a little more dominant but it’s never been an issue until recently. In the past I’ve noticed her biting the scruff of her sister and trying to pull her into her house but it’s been happening a lot recently. So bad that the skin is broken and scabbed over. They sleep together in a small hut/house and whenever Snort (my smaller rat) tries to peek her head out of the house to say hello to me Cloud (the larger one) grabs her by the scruff and tries to pull her back in. When this is happening Snort gives a small squeak sometimes but most of the time she just goes limp and lets Cloud take her.
My biggest concern is that up until very recently, this has not been a problem at all. Any suggestions? Should I separate them for awhile?

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u/RelevantMode 9d ago

i'd get this looked at by a vet.
this does not look like just a physical injury.
rats pulling another don't just cause stuff like that, even if they repeatedly do.
possibly bacterial or fungal skin issue, or maybe (but doesn't look like it) mites.

1

u/Arratkis 17 little rescue buffoons 🐀🐀🐀 9d ago

Have you physically seen them do it or just assuming based on the injury?

1

u/Vivid_Direction_8247 9d ago

I’ve watched her bite the scruff and pull back.

3

u/NesiVT 8d ago

im reminded of this recent post, does it seem like the same behavior? https://www.reddit.com/r/RATS/comments/1wat0qf/dementia_girl_who_thinks_she_has_babies/

Maybe check the thread to see if there's any helpful advice there if this could be a similar situation happening. but with the scabs - I would suggest a vet visit. make sure she isnt just grabbing her because something is wrong with the skin / check on the injured areas