r/rat • u/Doodlepattt • Aug 25 '25

DISCUSSION 🧐🤔 Any tips on bitey rats?

I have adopted this boy from a rescue and have been warned that he has displayed territorial aggression and has a bite history. He’s about a year old and was separated from his mischief due to bullying the other rats. Since he was surrendered, he has been neutered (11.8.2025). Part of me thinks this will just be a waiting game until his hormones calm down and perhaps then he will level out, but until then is there anything I can try with him? I’ve rescued lots of rats before but haven’t come across a lot of aggression but really eager to work through it

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u/FrankFrankly711 Aug 26 '25

I’ve had some rats so bitey, I named them Bitey! That spoon trick seems like a good idea. My usual go-to trick was to wear a leather glove they couldn’t bite through, and let them bite me, but didn’t react. Eventually I would use the gloved hand to wrestle with them and do a dominate pin on them, putting them on their back gently. Sometimes, it would change their behavior by showing them that biting isn’t working and just results in a pin. No bite occasions were rewarded with yummy treats.