anyone got any tips for a fidgety type who hates being picked up? if not they are still my cool lil buddies (even if a cant pick one of them up)
2006-10-05 08:26:50 · 13 answers · asked by crunchymonkey 6 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I rescue rats and have dealt with many unsocialized rats. I've learned that its best to let the rat come to you. Rub your fingers in its bedding, and let the rat come and sniff you. If you give it treats right after, the rat will learn that you are a good thing. The way into a rat's heart is through its stomach. Eventually, the rat should come out to see you (and get a treat) and might even let you hold it. Never grab a rat unless you have to. And never grab it by the tail. Try picking it up by scooping it in your hands, this is less scary. If you have a small room that you dont mind it running around in, you can leave the cage door open and sit on the floor. This way the rat can run around and hide if it wants, and can come see you when its comfortable. Getting a really shy rat to trust you takes a lot of time and patience.
I have one rat who is still very figety, but she thinks its a game to let me try and catch her. She comes out and nips my toe and runs away. She likes to be caught at the very end and petted. I was fooled for a very long time thinking that she was afraid of me, but really she just wanted to play. Go fig.
2006-10-05 10:09:16 · answer #1 · answered by Laurie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a huge cage with 3 rats in it an excellent variety of years in the past. all of them were given alongside especially nicely. from time to time they'd gang up on one yet another and attempt adversarial to. no longer something more beneficial than some little cuts on them. the first one I were given change into quite loving and would persist with me round the domicile. i doesn't even ought to computer screen him. 2 Male Rats will be a strong decision.
2016-10-16 03:40:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have one and shes a doll...a friend of mine hand raised her from birth. I have had some from pet stores and you just have to keep trying. Let him get used to your hands and smell first like just puttin ur hand in the cage, then slowly start petting them as they come near you. Finally when they no longer seem afraid of your hand try picking him up. Don't try to hold them in one spot tho. Even mine who is over 2 yrs old and completely used to being handled squirms if you hold her in your hands. This may take a few days maybe even weeks but patience will eventually get the outcome you want.
2006-10-05 08:39:38 · answer #3 · answered by sensual_sweet1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Patience. My best advice.
Make sure you wash your hands before putting them in the cage, if you smell like food, they might nip a little bit.
When I had my rat, I initially wore gloves, and would handle her for 5 minutes at a time, steadily increasing the time I held her.
Eventually I didn't need the gloves, and she liked being out.
Best of luck!
2006-10-05 08:46:16 · answer #4 · answered by Nikki T 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i ones had 3 rats but the last one just died about a week ago but for my one rat that did'nt like being picked up i put my hand in slowly then jently pet him on the back when he new he was safe i slowly lifted him up he was fine ones he was out
2006-10-05 08:38:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Persevere, the more you handle them the more placid they become, you may get scratched and nipped a bit, but that's part of the fun of having Rats
2006-10-05 08:30:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anthon Moonstone 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
somehow pick your rat up and get in the bath with it (PLEASE DO NOT PUT ANY WATER IN) and let him run around sniffing, have a few treats that he likes and when he comes over to you then give him one.
eventually keep doing it until he climbs in your hands to get them, worked for my gerbil
2006-10-05 08:30:43 · answer #7 · answered by hellraiza15 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't pick him up then. or bribe him a bit put some peanut butter on your hand or a bit of cheese. once he gets used to he gets treats then he will come willingly.
2006-10-05 08:30:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no but my boyfriend does. he says that whenever you put your hand in the cage it bites you so maybe they're both just nervous rats.
2006-10-05 09:04:46 · answer #9 · answered by ♥Bella♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My brother had three, one white, one brown & white, one black & white. I always thought they were cool little critters, but I never felt the need to pick them up. He picked them up & played with them all the time.....not me, I'll look at them through the cage, thanks!
2006-10-05 08:31:30 · answer #10 · answered by lil_rowdy1 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋