I've had her about a month now and when we're up watching a film, me on settee her on cushion, shes taken to running the length of the settee, head butting me, nipping and then making a run for it. I wouldn't mind so much but she nips real sensitive places. She also makes a sucking noise with her teeth and sometimes does a kind of somersault with twist jump before she get up speed for the charges.Whats a good and nice way of getting her to stop. This is the truth.
2006-10-18 12:03:43 · 18 answers · asked by Ley 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
LOL what fantastic answers so far apart from the snake and armrest how could you? First time this has happened and I've had rats for bout 20yrs. Thank you all so far
2006-10-18 12:34:00 · update #1
Hmmn oil on me bits, not sure I could do that. Alfie any time mate.
2006-10-18 12:50:01 · update #2
I'd put her in "time out" - as in when she's naughty, tell her firmly "No" and then she goes straight away back into her cage with no fuss or cuddles on the way. In fact, after you've said "No", don't say anything more to her at all and ignore her when she's back in the cage. She won't like that, as she wants to be out with you, where its more interesting. Give her a couple of minutes back in the cage and then fetch her back out and start again like nothing has happened.
Rats are incredibly intelligent little creatures and she'll very soon work out that naughtiness just results in being put back to bed, so its waaay better to behave and stay out to watch the film. :)
2006-10-19 09:34:40 · answer #1 · answered by PoshPaws 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with some of the other replies. I think she wants attention and knows that she will get it by doing that. Rats are social animals and are best kept as a pair so they have a pal to play with. Animals do nip in play, especially youngsters, so you may have to be firm with her and push her away if she tries, with a sharp 'No' to back it up. They are intelligent animals and quick to learn.
2006-10-19 14:03:16 · answer #2 · answered by debzc 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Ley
Sounds like you have one HAPPY RAT there, its good that shes having fun and sits beside you to watch a film. When she nips you have a spray bottle with water in it and spray her with the water when she nips you. She must really love you. Mine just wants to hide all the time and won't let me life her at all
2006-10-19 05:13:54 · answer #3 · answered by chass_lee 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would guess she is just playing.
The nipping is to get attention as she does it while you are settling down to watch a film or whatever.
If she is still quite young I would highly recommend you get her a friend to play with as rats are group animals and require constant company, or I'm afraid you will just have to play with her instead of watchin your film.
2006-10-18 22:56:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Now, I'm no rat expert, but, I may have a solution. Whenever my brothers ferret used to bite, we'd grab him by the scruff and firmly tell him,"No." Every time he'd try to bite, we'd pick him up by the scruff. Eventually he got that being picked up by the scruff is not a good thing, so biting must not be a good thing, either.This worked for us, so maybe it'll work for you.
Good Luck!!
2006-10-18 19:14:13 · answer #5 · answered by smile.for.meee<3 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
well i have had several rats and none of them did anything like that ever ....i do know that they are prone to tumors ...ansd a brain tumor will effect their personality...the summersault thing really worries me ...but if it is not a tumor then try some bitter apple and put on the places where she tends to nip the bitter apple tastes real bad so it humanly detures the niping ....well i hope she is ok and that this suggestion helps ...good luck
2006-10-18 19:14:23 · answer #6 · answered by Bekah 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I used to work in a petshop "taming" rodents. Basically letting them bite the f*ck out of me until they were bored! As a consequence (spelling?) I have incredibly hard skin! Let me 'round to play with your rat and I bet I could soon tame it!
2006-10-18 19:47:31 · answer #7 · answered by alfie 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
rats are happier in groups of 2 or more sounds like bordom
2006-10-19 05:49:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I really don't know but it made me laugh. You could set up some kind of barrier between you and the rat ...like a mini electric fence. Or muzzle it if thats possible.
2006-10-18 19:07:06 · answer #9 · answered by Simon K 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
When a female starts the funny business just remain masterful.
2006-10-18 19:19:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋