Picking up rats??

Question

I have 2 rats and i'm scared to pick them up. I'm not scared of them, I have tickled their belly and things but when i try to pick them up they run away out my hand. Does anyone have any tips to pick them up??

They are 2 females

Answer 1

I like the oven mitt idea. This will take almost all the scaryness out of it. Then, if you want, you can slowly ease on to picking them up with bare hands. I love rats probably the best pet out there , theres no reason to be scared but i guess you probably already know that dont worry its just a psycological thingy. Anywho try the mitt thing or glove or just let them crawl on something. I personnaly have them on my shoulders all the time to keep my hands free. If you try that dont expect them to be used to it right away it may take a couple days for them to become balanced.

Answer 2

Don't be scared! I've owned TONS of pets, and out of all the different ones I've owned, I've been bitten by everything EXCEPT rats. They very, very rarely bite, although any animal with teeth has that capability.

Try enticing them to come near you with some treats. You can buy rodent treats at a pet store, or just use some dry cereal or bread. Bribery is a great way to earn their trust! Once you're ready to pick the rat up, slip one hand under their chest and slide the other one underneath their rump. Try to move slowly but confidently, to help calm the rat. Holding them with both hands helps them feel secure. Sometimes, just letting them come to you is the best way to gain their trust.

Answer 3

Never ever pick a rat up by its tail or the base of the tail. Rats are too heavy and it will cause damage to the tail, which may prevent them from balancing properly or regulating their body heat correctly.
With my squirmy rats I grab them gently around the middle with one hand and as soon as they are off the ground I put my other hand under their body so their feet are resting on it. Like someone else said rats feel more comfortable if they have something solid under their feet. Girls are a lot more active than the males and hate the thought of sitting still, they would rather be off exploring. With my girls I found it impossible to hold them for longer than it took to transfer them between places(ie no more than a minute or two). They would still come to me for a quick cuddle, but it was on their terms and when they wanted it.
I try not to give my rats solid food from my fingers as I find that they nip my fingers a lot more(testing to see if its food). What I do is use baby food. Once they are used to it from a spoon and dont bite or snatch the spoon, I put some on the back of my hand(harder for them to bite) and let them lick it off. I slowly move the baby food til it is on my fingers. All my rats that I have done that with are a lot more comfortable with my hand and also tend to lick me a lot more.

Answer 4

Are your rats females? Females tend to be less lovey and more interested in exploring their environment. I used to have eight female rats, and they weren't big fans of being picked up. Whenever I needed to pick them up, I'd use my whole hand and grab them from underneath. Then I'd use my other hand to set their feet down. Rats like to know that there's something under their feet. It's less scary to them. You'll need to try picking them up quite often so that they get used to it. Also, make sure you never pick them up by their tails. I've heard that part of the tail can break off!

Answer 5

I have 2 female rats, Rose and Ruby and they like to be handled very gently. If you talk in a low voice to them, they will get used to you quickly, and then you are able to entice them with a tidbit, and it is easy to encourage them onto your hand. If they are young rats, they will be very shy and they don't like loud noises either. If you give them toys to play with, they will become more confident. Don't try to grab them and pick them up very gently, as they are very delicate little animals, and can be easily hurt. Females are especially quick, and you have to watch that they don't run off your hands and fall. Males are much more laid back, and are easier to cuddle than females.

Answer 6

I actually have a 2 12 months previous rat, a 12 months previous rat, a 8 month previous rat, a six month previous rat and a rhree month previous rat. All male and im similar cage. They havent destroyed one yet another and really delight in assembly new rats. wish it helped! digital mail me in case you want extra help !

Answer 7

You must move confidently and as smoothly as you can. If you surprise the rat, it will get nervous and try to escape or even to nip you. Try putting your hand palm-up on the floor of the cage and allow the rat to walk on. Try also to handle or stroke the rats each day to ensure that they are used to human contact.

Answer 8

they are scared of you as you make them nervous as they pick up on your vibes as to being scared of picking them up.
just grab gently behind the front legs kind of mid body and the more you pick them up the more you will be OK with it the they will trust you not to drop them . you then just put your other hand under their bum, hope you like rat poo as they will poo on your hand sometimes like mice do.

Answer 9

With my old pet rat, I used to literally scoop him up with my whole hand. So all four fingers around his stomach (best from behind) and scoop. Mind you, I wouldn't suggest picking him/her up by the tail. It doesn't hurt rats in the slightest, but can annoy them and they can and will swing themselves up and bite (very painful).

All the best

Adam

Answer 10

Grab them gently but firmly from the top, grasping mostly around the shoulders/ribs. Just let them know you're coming -- don't surprise them.