🐭 Understanding Pet Rat Relationships

Are my Rats Playing or Fighting?

Rats are social, expressive, and full of personality — which makes watching them interact a real joy. But when they wrestle, chase, or squeak, it’s not always easy to tell whether they’re playing, sorting out dominance, or heading toward a fight. Learning to read their body language helps you keep the peace and protect your mischief from stress or injury. 

🧸 Play

Play is usually easy to spot. Your rats bounce around, chase each other, and look relaxed. There’s no puffed-up fur, no biting, and definitely no blood — just joyful mischief and friendly sparring. You might even catch them “boxing” with their tiny front limbs, which always reminds me of a T-Rex! 

Dominance

Not quite play, not quite fighting — dominance behaviour can look intense but stays within safe bounds. You might see pinning, chasing, or mounting, but without puffed fur or injury. Most rat groups naturally form a “pecking order,” with one rat claiming the top spot. This social structure often helps maintain harmony. 

Pinning

A dominant rat may flip another onto their back. If the pinned rat stays put, it’s usually a peaceful surrender. Sometimes the dominant rat holds the pose until they hear a squeak (or two), then backs off once they feel unchallenged. If this happens often — especially with males — tension can build. Neutering one or both often helps reduce hormone-driven (also called hormonal aggression) clashes. 

Power Grooming

Another dominance move: one rat aggressively grooms the other. The “recipient” may squeak but often allows it. If both rats accept the dynamic, it’s usually peaceful — though it can happen repeatedly.

⚠️ Fighting

Real fighting looks very different. Watch for these danger signs:

• Puffed-up fur — makes them look twice as big

• Sidling — sideways approach with a hind-leg “karate kick”

• Hissing — vocal warning of serious tension

If you see these, separate them — but take care not to get caught in the commotion (use gloves or fleece to keep your hands safe). Ideally, you’ll spot the warning signs before things escalate. Keep toys nearby to redirect their energy, but avoid using treats during aggression. Save those for calm, positive behaviour.

Supplies and Suggestions

If your rats aren’t always besties, it helps to keep a few tools on hand:

• Fleece blanket or towel — toss over the aggressor to break focus

• Oven mitts or gloves — protect your hands if you need to separate them (aim for the less aggressive rat)

• Neutering males — can reduce hormone-driven aggression (allow 6–8 weeks for hormones to settle; house separately until then)

• Females fighting? — check for triggers like food, toys, or territory. If they were recently introduced, step back and reintroduce slowly.

It’s helpful to know that male rats often experience hormone surges roughly every six months — commonly around 6, 12, and 18 months of age. During these times, you might notice shifts in behaviour, especially if a previously submissive rat starts challenging the dominant one in your Mischief.

This could be part of normal dominance sorting, or it might be a sign of hormonal aggression (HA). The two can look similar, but understanding the difference is key to keeping your rats safe and stress-free.

If you’re unsure whether your rats’ behaviour is hormonal or behavioural, reach out to your breeder or vet — they can help you assess what’s going on and guide you toward the right support.