Might be easier to get the male fixed and introduce a female for a companion. Male rats can and do get along but two strangers being introduced, especially with adults, doesn't always work out as well as just raising two brothers or two same age young rats who are not yet fully mature sexually.



Also, at the place you are buying the rats, are they all housed in groups or separately? If they are kept separate, they may not have learned good social skills (rat to rat) and thus dont' know proper rat behaviors etc. Hence this could be why the males end up fighting. It could also be a matter of jealousy between the rats, one gets more of your attention (because he's sweet etc) while the nippy one doesn't (as you don't like being bit etc) but they may end up fighting over treats or whatever because of it.



Another thing, how long between getting rid of the first rat and picking up Squee? The stress of having a new rat introduced so soon after the other one was taken away could have caused issues as well.



Perhaps it will be better for you to return both males and pick up a pair of females who have been housed together, this may make it easier for you to have some pet rats without as much squabbling between them. Or since you have little time to spend with rats anyway, just skip out on getting them completely. Things to consider anyway...but only you will know how much time you can spend with the rats on a daily basis. In general rats are quite capable of having little to no interaction with us, other than for food and drink, (and general cleaning of course) if they have another rat for a companion.
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PHLdyPayne

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