Why aren't my rats tame?

Question

I've had my two rats for a bit more than a year but only Flora allows me to pick her up and even then she wriggles like mad. Stell will just about take treats on my lap but she often runs off to eat them. It says in the pet book that rats are supposed to be friendly and that they will ride on your shoulder! Why don't mine?
P.S Stella jumps a foot in the air if you startle her (slamming doors, sudden movements etc.)

I can't spend loads of time with my rats, I have to go to school :(
I normally spend up to an hour with them in the evening (they seem most active then).

Plus Stella is incredibly lazy (and fat, as a result, though they're now on a diet) so she hardly comes to me in the first place, she just sits there when I let them out. They've got a special room just for them with lots of boxes and stuff. WHEN she comes out of hiding she will, as said before, come to me and eat treats.

Most of the time they come out of the cage of their own accord, but even then they sometimes stay in, particularly if it's coming up to cleaning out day (once a week), where we uncerimoniously turf them out of there specially dug house (they're great nest-builders).

Answer 1

All animals have their own personalities. Maybe you didn't get lucky with yours. Don't let them eat their treats until after you have handled them, and only while they are with you.

Answer 2

I have had rats as pets in the past (1 to 2 at a time). They were the best. of course they are shy and timid when you first bring them home, but after spending time with them and talking to them they will recognize you as a friend. If you have trouble with them coming to you place a treat in your hand and place your hand inside the cage and wait for them to come to your hand. (don't make sudden movements) They'll take the treat or will sit on your hand and eat the treat there. After a few times of doing this you can start placing your hand outside of the cage. The will start to trust you.
I didn't have any problems with mine. They were all friendly and well tamed. They knew their names. I was able to leave the cage door open and trust that they would not leave their cage until I gave them the okay to do so. They lounged with me on the sofa, sat with me while I was at the computer and even went for car rides. Our last rat enjoyed cuddling in his blanket and falling asleep in our arms.

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry about it, and I certainly wouldn't separate them. Some rats just don't like being touched. I've had a few like that. Once I realise that they don't like being touched or picked up, I leave them alone. I don't want to stress them too much. Have you tried putting their cage on your bed or on the floor and opening the door and seeing if they come out on their own? It might help if they feel more in control, I know it helped a couple of mine.
As for running off with treats, that's normal.
None of my girls were ever that tame, I think they just want be on the go all the time. They don't want to sit still, they might be missing something. My remaining girl is two now and since she's been on her own, she's got worse, she wont let me touch her anywhere or pick her up. I have to coax her with food to get in and out of the cage!

Answer 4

My kids have 3 rats. One in a cage by herself and two who share a cage. The two who share a cage are friendly but not interested in being held alot because they have each other for company. The one who is in her own cage is very people oriented. Separate them and you will see a change in attitude in about a week. Rats make great pets but to bond with you need to be kept apart from other rats.

Answer 5

To start with, don't ever separate your rats. They ARE incredible social animals, but because they do most of their socializing at night they will get INCREDIBLY lonely if you separate them. That would only make things worse.

It sounds to me like your problem might just be that the rats aren't comfortable with you. You've had them for a year, but how much have you interacted with them during that time? When you DID interact with them, did you just let them out of their cage or did you pick them up and snuggle with them? It just might be that they're unused to and uncomfortable with human contact.
Another option is that you aren't holding them properly. Rats can feel extremely insecure when they're off the ground. You said that Flora "wriggles like mad" when you're picking her up - is she wiggling her legs or her entire body? Are you making sure that she is properly supported and feels comfortable? Try cupping your hands under her, so that she feels "in control". Also, you could try placing her on your shoulder or in your lap as soon as you pick her up - that way, she would feel in control and be much more willing to socialize.

It is important to remember that while half of the socializing part IS the rat, the other half is you. Make sure that when YOU approach the cage, you're doing your part as well. Keep your voice down. Don't make sudden movements. Talk gently and reassuringly to them and offer lots of treats. When you pick them up, as I said before, make sure they feel well-supported. It's always worked for me...

A slightly more drastic method that's also worked wonders with slightly more stubborn rats like Stella is the Forced Socialization Method (cited below). Because rats' fear burns out in about 20 minutes, try just holding onto her for that period of time. Hold her, massage her, play with her, talk to her, feed her treats, but touch her for those entire twenty minutes. By the time the period is over, she will stop being afraid of you, and if you repeat it several times over a few days, the results will be permanent.

Rats ARE social creatures, and wonderful pets. I wish you the best of luck getting along with yours. :)

Answer 6

i hate when people say seperate rats! NO!
they are social and most of their socialising takes place at night.
i think you'll find it really is just a case of attention, put your hand in the cage and let them know you are there, every day...feed them toast crusts and chat to thme each morning by calling their names,
rats should ONLY EVER be alone when they fight with each other enough to draw blood and clearly are not bonding, male rats are mostly lap rats, females are more shoulder orientated.
females are more adventurous and dont want ot waste free time by sitting and cuddling, they like to explore, males are more likely to sit and be cuddled...dont forget they have poor sight and sudden noises are extremely loud to a rat and the hearing compensates the sight issue...TIME with you IS WHAT THEY NEED, i've had 13 rats so far...currently 5...
three of my girls are the snuggliest happiest social little critters ever, one wont come out for love or money, its really juts luck of the draw, dont forget they have the same brain power as a horse, can be trained and remember tricks and games...what you need ot do is have them out at every oppurtunity, if you are on the comp, watching telly, have them out...stroke them down the sides of thier faces and see how they cose their eyes, it calms them down...it really is perseverance...they need as much attention as dogs do....fancy rats are so misunderstood, people always think of the vermin type...thats like comparing cats to tigers.
i've had soppy ones, and two that bit, both male and female, and two that can be trusted to run over the house and come when you call them...they are as different as people in personality,

Answer 7

I have 3 little girl rats. When one of my original 2 died, I got 2 more younger ones to keep her company. My little black one was so horribly shy that she'd bite every time someone went to pick her up. She escaped at any chance available and we had to chase her little **** down. But, With some coaxing, treats, time and TLC, she comes and can now do alll the tricks my other 2 can.
I'll explain how,
Start by only putting your hand into the cage while 'Flora' and 'Stella' are presently out and awake, try to have somekind of special treat to coax them to you. When they come praise them with 'Goood girrrl!' and things like that. :)

Answer 8

If your rats are too fat they may not need to come to you because it is exercise. You need to cut out the treats feed them only what they need and take them different things to play with when you spend your hour with them. Don't leave the toys with them. You can even take some of the things out of their area to be taken in when you play with them. Leave a radio on outside their room so they are not in the quiet all day.

Answer 9

It is probably because you have 2 of them, they focus on each other, rather than bonding with you. Put them in separate cages, and spend lots of time with each of them. I've had pet rats and they are amazing, so friendly and curious, and yours will be too, once you separate them.

Answer 10

ive had 2 rats who both lived 4 years..thats about how long they will live....and both of mine were the same way...they will ride on your shoulder...but some are still scared from being taken away from the pet store.....you just have to give them love and attention.....and good treats...i did with my second rat and he weighed about 5 pounds....lol