Rats communicate in many different ways and one is with their teeth. Our skin is very sensitive and not protected by fur like a rats, and it is easy to misunderstand what our rats mean when they use their teeth on us.
So what is your rat trying to tell you with its teeth?
The ‘I love you/ooh what’s this?’ nibble:
Pippin showing off his lovely orange teeth
Gently nibbling your skin usually means one of two things; your rat is grooming you or he is testing you to see what you are.
To a new rat we are strange, smelly, hairless creatures to be explored. Your rat will at some point test your fingers with its teeth. You may feel the nip, but the skin will not be broken, this is perfectly normal behaviour for a new inquisitive rat. Your rat may well be testing you to see what you taste like, but he’s not planning on eating you. When your rat nibbles you like this take it as a compliment.
Even if you have known your rat for a while he may still want to explore your skin with his teeth, especially if you have just washed your hands, or handled some food. Though if your hands do smell of some yummy food, be prepared for your little rat friend to think with his tummy and try and drag you fingers off!
Bonded rats are big on grooming each other, this not only helps affirm their relationship, but it is also practical. Many rats also like to groom their humans, and as we have no fur this is done by gently scrapping their teeth over our skin, you may also get licked too. One thing to remember is if your rat is grooming you do not pull your hand away, even if you don’t like what you are doing. Rejecting a rat in this manner can really hurt its feelings.
The ‘I want attention/I’m grumpy’ chomp:
Rats like to play, but they may give you a gentle nip when they've had enough
When your rat gives you a nip that is quite hard but does not break the skin, your rats is letting you know that he’s grumpy and you’re annoying him. We all have bad days and rats are no different. If your rat gives you one of these chomps respect your rat’s wishes and leave them alone until they come to you and you will both be happier for it.
Alternatively your rat may come up to you and give you quite a hard chomp. This will be in an easy to reach location for your rat, so if you are sitting on a chair your rat may target your ankles, which can be quite painful. No matter where your rat gives you a nip don’t get angry, by all means let your little guy know you did not appreciate the nip. Take the time to think about what you were doing when your rat nipped you. Were you ignoring your rat? Did your rat run away playfully? I have had several rats that thought nipping ankles and then bouncing off was a great game. If you don’t like the game, as it can hurt, find a way to adapt it so your rat still gets to play and you don’t get nipped.
The ‘Please don’t do that/I’m afraid’ bite:
Naughty Chestnut biting my slipper for attention
When a rat bite actually draws blood then your rat is letting you know that they are very distressed. A rat will only bite you like this in very rare and extreme circumstances and, in my experience, it is always the human’s fault. Did you startle or scare your rat? Was your rat showing signs of being unhappy before you put your hand near it? Was it asleep? One of the easiest ways to get bitten is to put your hand near a sleeping rat and wake it up. Rats are prey animals and so will react in self-defence if they are taken by surprise.
I do not believe there is such a thing as an aggressive rat. If you feel your rat has bitten you, think long and hard about what kind of bite it was and what you and your rat were doing at the time. It is important that you understand the behaviour of your rats and never feel afraid of them.
Over the years I have known many rats, some have been grumpy and not very playful and some have come to me as problem rats, but none of them have ever bitten me out of aggression. With the proper respect and handling they have always been wonderful little individuals.
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7:15 pm on November 12th, 2009
Hey
I have three female ratties and I have problems with one of them. The other two are VERY easy-going and laid back and I’ve bonded very well with them. However, the other one is skittish, bites quickly (hard) and doesn’t like to be around people at all. I got two of them (one of them being the skittish one) together and then the third a few months later once they’d settled in. They all sleep together and there is NO fighting at all between them.
Whenever I take the skittish one out of the cage she pees and poos everywhere and then bites until she is back in the cage. What am I doing wrong? I’ve had them nearly a year and invested a LOT of time in taking them all out the cage and getting them used to me and my scent.
It’s very upsetting. I don’t know what to do with her. Does she just not like people? I’ve had her since she was 8 weeks old.
Thanks!
11:48 am on November 13th, 2009
First off you need to stop handling your rat, the behaviour she is demonstrating is fear. For some reason she is terrified of either being handled or taken away from her cage. The fact that she is happy and content with her cage mates is a good thing and for now I would just focus on that fact and know that if left alone she is happy with her companions.
There could be many reasons why she doesn’t like being handled and really they are not worth worrying about. She doesn’t like being handled - so don’t. All rats are different, and just because a rat doesn’t like to be handled doesn’t mean there is something wrong.
Give your rat some space; if she doesn’t want to come out of her cage then leave her alone, it is her choice. If she has no problem with your hand in the cage, then reach in and give her a treat and fuss her. Basically take your relationship back to the beginning. Gradually increase how you handle her, but watch her closely and stop if she shows any sign of distress.
I’ve had several rats from babies, who have not behaved ‘normally’. I just let them be and loved them for who they were and they both lived long and happy lives. Biscuit was a grumpy rat who didn’t like being handled, so I didn’t pick him up much. He’d come out of his cage and do his own thing, which usually meant ignoring everyone, humans and rats alike, until it was time to go back in. It didn’t stop me spoiling him and interacting with him as much as he’d allow. He was beautiful and I loved him for who he was and the fact he was happy and healthy in a grumpy kind of way.
The other guy was Caramel who didn’t want to leave his cage. I could reach in and play with him, but take him away from his cage and he’d scratch and wriggle until he was back in. Again he lived a long and healthy life with his brother and I didn’t worry about the way he lived, it was his choice and it was what he wanted.
You just need to take your time and find what it is that makes your rat happy. If you give her the choice to come out and play and she doesn’t want to then you’re not doing anything wrong and you need to accept that’s the way she is and enjoy her happiness.
Lindsay
3:58 pm on November 17th, 2009
Thankyou SO much for this post, I myself have been having troubles with one of my four boys that are very similar to what has been discussed here.
Before owning these four I had a pair that were total opposites - one liked to be held all the time and cuddled, the other wanted nothing more than to find somewhere dark to hide in and be left alone. I respected his wishes and left him to it, and we got on just fine.
But Barny (my current trouble-maker) isn’t fear/annoyance biting, he seems to be doing it to get a reaction out of me - a bit on the nose, finger, toe, back etc will sent him into an enraptured scurry if it’s hard enough to make be go “ow!”.
I’d thought he may be frightened of me and biting to make me go away, but after reading this thread I’m now much better informed and will do my best to give him added playtime in teh hopes that he will enjoy other things more than biting me ^.^
9:57 pm on November 30th, 2009
We have not long ago got two female rats both 3 months old, and they couldn’t be more different. One is manic and not scared of anything or anyone she will come out no problem and then make for the quickest exit!!! She does bite occasionally, but only my son and my boyfriend ( I think it’s because she knows they are both loud and obnoxious!! ) She comes to play all the time and is getting more handleable by the day.
The other one worries me though, she is absolutely terrified of everything. If you go in the room she freezes for about 10 seconds and then hides in her bed. I have not managed to hold her once because she gets so agitated if any one goes near her. When we are cleaning them out I have to get her out by removing everything in the cage (at which point she goes absolutely insane because theres no where to hide) and then pop a material bag in there as quickly as possible, she gets in, its all ok then!!
The most I can do is feed food to her in bed and she will take it, which I suppose is a start. I have for the past month felt really guilty about her not getting enough attention, but I haven’t the heart to terrify her in the process.
It is nice to her that leaving her is the best thing to do, I hope that as she gets older she will realise that we are not huge, gigantic ogres out to get her. But if you have any advice in the mean time it would be most welcome.
:)
9:15 pm on February 17th, 2010
I have 2 female rats, and as many people have also said they are like chalk and cheese! but unfortunately for different reasons. We bought them together and had no trouble with them initially. after about a week of getting them home I noticed one of them was sneezing ALOT. The other was too but not nearly as much or as severe. I researched it on the net and it suggested they had a respiratory infection, which in “sneezy’s” case eventuated into an inner ear infection, so she now walks around with her head on a constant tilt. i took her to the vet as she was becoming very irritable and unhappy. The vet gave her antibiotics to take for 6 weeks. it was for both to take. I am aware it is incurable but the antibiotics for “sneezy” have done NOTHING. she is getting only worse, now she never wants to come out to play, is biting my boyfriend and I to the point of drawing blood, (which is hurting) her beautiful white coat is not looking as white and healthy anymore and i am at a total loss as to what to do? She is not living the life i wanted for her. It makes me quite upset seeing her so sick. I would really appreciate any advice!
5:37 pm on February 18th, 2010
Hi Carly,
I really feel for you and what you are going through with Sneezy, she sounds very poorly. This sounds like a quality of life issue for your little rat, and I’m afraid that is not something I can advise you on. You need to sit down with your boyfriend, or someone else who can help you decide what is best for your rat and you.
One thing I have noticed when a rat has a respiratory infection is they can struggle to eat, which leads to loss of condition and weight. Rat food is hard and dry and can take a lot of energy to chew, mixed with problems breathing rats can easily loose their appetites. So make sure she is eating okay. Even sick rats find it hard to resist baby food. I buy the powdered variety for 4-6 month olds that comes in a box, which you mix with water, in a simple flavour like oat porridge. I don’t want to get your hopes up, but the baby food can make a big difference, building up a rat to help fight the infection.
Rats are beautiful and fun little creatures, but like all animals they do get sick and sometimes there is nothing that can be done to help them. My heart does go out to you, as I have sadly found myself in this position before and there is no easy answer.
Lindsay
3:53 am on February 24th, 2010
Hi Lindsay,
i have a pet rat called charlie and i have owned her for about 3 weeks now and at first she was nervous etc as i expected her to be and then she got used to being handled but tonight i went to get her out of her cage and she bit me extremely hard to the point where my finger was pouring out blood so i left her alone but i have kept trying leaving a few hours in between each try and she just keeps tryin to bite me. I even tried just puttin part of my glove in her cage to see how she reacted n she ripped a massive hole in it. If you can think of any reason why she has suddenly changed please let me know as she was a wonderful pet beforehand and i dont want her to change. Also she has been sneezing slightly but not a massive amount and she is still eating and drinkin fine but has been scratching more than usual n i caught her biting her leg on a few occasions.
Thanks Steph
4:19 pm on February 24th, 2010
Hi Steph,
Rats can often appear to be chewing themselves when they are grooming, which they take very seriously. From what you describe with the excessive scratching I would suggest getting her checked out for mites. Mites are very irritating to rats and will cause them to scratch around their heads and shoulders, even going as far as to cause scabs and sores. This would also explain why your rat may be feeling a bit grumpy and biting you. Mites are not uncommon and are not serious if treated quickly.
Depending on where you live mite treatment can be bought from pet stores, I recommend Beaphar Anti Parasite Spot On. I have used this many times before to successfully treat my rats, and one dose is usually enough to clear the problem. If you are unable to buy a spot on treatment or have any further concerns take your rat to see a vet.
Lindsay
4:52 am on March 2nd, 2010
Hi Lindsay,Umm i have two female rats one is calm and relaxed and the other just wont stop moving. i need some advice the active one nibbles on me almost every time i take her out it doesnt bother me that much but is there anything i could do to stop it. she doesnt nibble on little kids just big people so … do you have any advice for me?
Thanks,Xena
4:48 pm on March 2nd, 2010
It sounds like your rat is just being curious; if she’s not hurting anyone is it a problem that needs stopping? The fact that she is nibbling adults rather than children could be that our skin is courser and maybe she just likes the texture or it seems closer to rat fur so she is grooming you. Being groomed by your rats is a complement. Rats are funny little creatures and they like to explore and interact with the world in funny ways. My take on my rats is that as long as they are not doing any harm, or look like they are going to get into trouble I leave them too it.
If it really bothers you, just keeping stopping your rat and she’ll get the message.
Lindsay
3:54 am on March 4th, 2010
Hi Lindsay,
I have two new baby girls. One is very shy and runs away the other is very curious. I will put my hand in the cage and not move it. The curious baby will come start nibbling my fingers but will then nibble harder to the point of breaking the skin. Now I am nervous to handle her. Is she just being curious or is this aggression? can she sense my fear? how do I stop the nibbling?
10:39 am on March 5th, 2010
Hi Allison
It sounds like curiosity to me; aggression is usually a bite out of nowhere. So, you need to let your nibbler know what she is doing is wrong. Watch for signs she is getting ready to bite you and say no, loudly and move you hand away. Don’t put your hand straight back into the cage and keep doing this until she learns. You may also want to try squeaking if she does bite you, this is how rats communicate and will tell her she has hurt you.
6:36 pm on March 7th, 2010
Hi I have just bought 2 female rats for the first tim ever for my children, they have been desperate for a pet of thi er own and (although we already have 2 dogs) I was going to get hamsters but was advised rats make better pets and are more intersting. I am overjoyed at how quickly these little girls are becoming used to us all and they have groomed my children and have started kissing them on their cheeks, I am a real convert although it might take some convincing of my adult friends, anyway was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to what toys they might like and also how many times a day should we take them out of their cage, they have a huge cage
10:40 am on March 8th, 2010
hi Sharon,
Rats love all kinds of toys, check out my post Rat Cage Accessories - Making a Cage into a Home for ideas to liven up their home. Rats also enjoy playing in cardboard boxes and shoeboxes. They also like some cat toys, towels and old clothes or general household items make fun toys too. Anything you can think of really, the best rules are will it hurt them if they chew it? Can it be washed or thrown away if it gets dirty?
You can get them out as many times a day as you want, as long as they are awake and active. It is best not to wake them up too much. As they get older you will discover what they like more and feel more confident.
6:39 am on March 9th, 2010
sharon,
iv found that my rats like cat toys, like those little balls with bells on the inside, and my rats love when i bring in them a stick from outside, the drag it around everywhere, they’v also played tug of war with each other with a little strand of a rag, really rats like anything they can chew on iv noticed.