MelodyR
Well-known member
How do you differentiate fighting among cagemates fronm playing? A couple of mine will kack at a cagemate when they want to get chased and play; it's in fun, not aggression. One 3-level FN has my 5 yr old male in with two 7 month old brothers and that's what they do. I have never seen an angry encounter however.
My other 3-level FN has 4 young males (5-8 months old). All came from the same breeder, 3 were already living together (only recently, at the breeders)and I added the oldest at the same time I brought them home. They came home in the same carrier almost a month ago, no problem. Leche and Latte had one stand-off with each other, where Leche backed Latte into a corner (this was when they were in their smaller temp cage) but there was no actual physical attack - they were just both standing up facing each other. Leche is the most active, Latte is the most submissive and was the "4th" one added when I got them. Latte is the oldest, Leche is the youngest and the smallest -- and the MOST active of all four.
They are starting to hit puberty, so the humping and chasing has started. But I don't see any fighting per se. What my concern is - there's an emergency thread on here for Latte -- last Fri Latte got a cut below his ear. I am almost positive he did it to himself hitting something when he was running up and down the levels. It does not look like a bite. But how can I be sure? I was sitting two feet away from them, and watched as they all went on a popcorning and running spree. I was looking right at them and I STILL could not tell how it happened! He's doing fine now, thankfully.
But reading about the killings and attacks by cagemates on here has made me a nervous wreck. Would I see other signs of fighting if in fact it was occurring? There are no NO fur slips, no extra fur lying around, no bites. No aggressive postures. I think they are just playing and dominance humping.illowfight:
I have done alot of intros and luckily have never had an issue even after years later, but the posts make me nervous. I work during tax season like 12 hrs a day, so they are alone alot. However, they are housed in my bedroom, where I watch TV as well, right next to their cage, so I am pretty much with them all night.
I keep telling myself no one sits by their pet's cage 24/7, so there is nothing I can do but keep an eye on things.
There have been no other incidences since the original injury (again I think it was an self-inflicted accident, not a bite).
Any suggestions? I hate to separate them on a whim or imaginary concern. They were totally peaceful all weekend (other than the usual zoomies), eat out the same dish (there are four), etc.
My other 3-level FN has 4 young males (5-8 months old). All came from the same breeder, 3 were already living together (only recently, at the breeders)and I added the oldest at the same time I brought them home. They came home in the same carrier almost a month ago, no problem. Leche and Latte had one stand-off with each other, where Leche backed Latte into a corner (this was when they were in their smaller temp cage) but there was no actual physical attack - they were just both standing up facing each other. Leche is the most active, Latte is the most submissive and was the "4th" one added when I got them. Latte is the oldest, Leche is the youngest and the smallest -- and the MOST active of all four.
They are starting to hit puberty, so the humping and chasing has started. But I don't see any fighting per se. What my concern is - there's an emergency thread on here for Latte -- last Fri Latte got a cut below his ear. I am almost positive he did it to himself hitting something when he was running up and down the levels. It does not look like a bite. But how can I be sure? I was sitting two feet away from them, and watched as they all went on a popcorning and running spree. I was looking right at them and I STILL could not tell how it happened! He's doing fine now, thankfully.
But reading about the killings and attacks by cagemates on here has made me a nervous wreck. Would I see other signs of fighting if in fact it was occurring? There are no NO fur slips, no extra fur lying around, no bites. No aggressive postures. I think they are just playing and dominance humping.illowfight:
I have done alot of intros and luckily have never had an issue even after years later, but the posts make me nervous. I work during tax season like 12 hrs a day, so they are alone alot. However, they are housed in my bedroom, where I watch TV as well, right next to their cage, so I am pretty much with them all night.
I keep telling myself no one sits by their pet's cage 24/7, so there is nothing I can do but keep an eye on things.
There have been no other incidences since the original injury (again I think it was an self-inflicted accident, not a bite).
Any suggestions? I hate to separate them on a whim or imaginary concern. They were totally peaceful all weekend (other than the usual zoomies), eat out the same dish (there are four), etc.
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