My female rat bites her cage. Is she cage protective? How to stop?

Thanks for reaching out about Princess and including photos. Hamsters can be touch, socially. Continued de-sensitization might help, but also by looking at the photos, your access point seems to always be from above. A large human hand coming down to grab from above can be scary. If you use a cup to scoop her up (gently) and then place her on a flat surface, is she still aggressive? Maybe she is defensive of her enclosure, and might be more timid when out. Lastly, having her spayed might decrease aggressive, but a big surgical procedure. Good luck.

It sounds as though you are described territorial behavior. Female rabbits that have been spayed usually don't develop this type of behavior once they get to be several years old. She may be becoming defensive or fearful if she has an illness she is trying to hide and therefore protect herself. Some illnesses to consider in this case are dental diseases, urinary tract diseases or sometimes skin issues. If she has not had a recent (3-4 months or less) veterinary examination, I recommend starting with an examination to ensure there are no health issues involved. Beyond that, you could consider placing her in a new cage or hutch, feeding her directly from your hands (if possible to do safely) and giving more social interaction time outside of the cage.

Thanks for reaching out about Dobby. Sexual maturity, competition and dominance are all controlled by testosterone levels. Castration is a fairly simple procedure (for a veterinarian with rodent experience) and will likely have a calming effect. Not all castrated males calm down though, but the earlier in the maturation process, the better the outcome. Good luck.

If she will allow, check her teeth. Rats need to chew to keep their teeth from becoming overgrown. If necessary, have your veterinarian trim the teeth then provide plenty of chew toys to prevent recurrence. Feed a commercial pelleted or block diet supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables. You can also offer food such as pasta, beans and boiled egg in small amounts. Take her out of her cage for some playtime several times daily. This will give her a break from a small cage as well as provide a bonding experience for the both of you.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Frankie. What a tough little girl! She has been through a lot. I would start by always moving very slowly around her. Offer treats to help build her trust. Be sure to keep the dog away from her cage. Speak slowly and softly to her. Do not handle her until she seems more confident with you. I hope this information helps!

I would just recommend continuing to work the rats as your are. Giving them special treats every time you interact with them and interacting with them on a regular basis will help them become more used to you. It may take up to 3 months for them to become completely comfortable with you. Don’t worry, you are doing everything right, this just takes time. Rats are usually very interactive and affectionate pets. You will get there soon!

Sorry you are having this issue. She is most likely being territorial as she is becoming sexually active. Females can get very territorial and aggressive when they reach this stage. My honest recommendation would be to have her spayed - that will diminish any sexual drive and that may help decrease territorial behavior. I suggest you read these articles. They may help you try to correct this behavior. I still recommend spaying her..... http://rabbit.org/faq-aggression/ http://www.wikihow.com/Socialize-Your-Rabbit Hope this helps. Best wishes!