I got 2 female rats about a month ago. one of them let's me pet her, but when i open the cage, the other darts under the bedding. when i try to clean their cage, i can't get them out to actually scrub it good. they won't let me pick them up. i play with them everyday, but they won't let me pick them up. when i grab a hold of them, and when i'm just about to put my other hand beneath them to support their feet, they jump out of my hand! what should i do??
2007-08-01 18:42:21 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Rodents
I already have 2 dogs. i love them. can rats become as loyal, and loving as dogs and cats? my science teacher had rays, and they loved the kids. i took care of them over summer break and they were great! i can't seem to get my rats to be that way with anyone. Sometimes, one of them will climb onto the wall to get away. Other times, they'll take food from my hands, and have evey paw on my hand, like she's about to crawl onto it, then she get's off then walks away......} :
2007-08-01 18:55:41 · update #1
Nah, I don't have kids. they don't bite or anything, they'll only lick u on an occasion. a very, very, very rare occasion, but i'd still like to know what i'm doing wrong...
2007-08-01 18:57:06 · update #2
Use something to scoop them up.
Until mine got used to me (I didn't know if they would bite, I was a little freaked at first), I used a small food scoop I just happened to have. Worked like a charm, there was no where for them to go but up.
Try using a large cup like from a fast food place, or get one of those "Igloo" hideouts. They can sleep in it, and you can scoop them up. They feel safer and you can "bond" without" fear of biting or jumping (just hold your hand over the opening of the cup)
Rats are as loyal as dogs.
They play, cuddle and learn all sorts of things. The more you hang out with them, the more friendly they become.
2007-08-01 18:56:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like your girls hadn't been handled much before you adopted them. Keep playing with them, iving them attention & treats, talk to them & let them get used to you.
Rats can become as loyal & affectionate as cats or dogs. They're smart, naturally social & very loving. Sometimes it takes awhile to build their trust & a month is a fairly short amount of time. Once, we adopted 2 girls from a feeder bin. 1 was pregnant but we didn't know, & although we were very surprised we decided to keep all her pups. Mama rat remained very shy & wary of us until her daughters were several months old-- after watching how much fun her kids had interacting with us, she eventually became an ear-tickling little shoulder jockey just like her babies.
2007-08-02 17:22:24 · answer #2 · answered by Catkin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to take them out - one at a time - and pet them and hold them and massage them, etc. also let each rat ride around on your shoulder or in your pocket, or under you shirt - handle each one separately for at least 30 minutes every day. also when you come to the cage and call them - always give them a treat for coming and give it to them through the cage bars and from your hand.
they should start coming when they see you near their cage - hoping that you will have treats. also they will associate your hands with good things (i.e. treats).
this may take a little while, but once they come to trust you they will just get more and more tame and close to you.
usually when i have had more than one female in a cage together, there is a dominant female and that one is the one that will always come first for petting, treats, etc.
the one that is hiding needs to have special attention too.
every day take each one out separately.
2007-08-05 18:41:32 · answer #3 · answered by ratgirldjh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, rats can be very loyal, meaning they learn to recognize you and enjoy your company.
I'm going to put it this way - you have to get over your fear of when trying to take them out of the cage. I know how hard it can be to deal with their reactions when they're running around, escaping you, and squeaking, etc., but it's important a) to get them out to properly clean their cage and b) to get them used to being handled. Be firm but gentle. I'm willing to bet that once you get them in your hands and out of the cage they'll settle a bit in your grasp. Once you have them out, talk to them gently and pet them assuringly. Have a secure grasp of them, supporting their rears and abdomen - they should feel secured.
I have four guinea pigs, two of which I've had for not quite two years, and they STILL dart from me when they realize I'm coming for them. Once I have them out of the cage, though, they're fine.
2007-08-02 02:03:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Feed them lettuce out of your hand.Then they will know how much you care for them. Maybe they want to breed so try getting a male. They might want more room or more food and water. I am not an expert but they might help.
2007-08-01 18:55:46 · answer #5 · answered by girlscout1996 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know...BUT...we had a rat (the pet place said they made good pets). They ended up biting the kids while they slept. Hope you don't have any kids...especially babies.
2007-08-01 18:53:49 · answer #6 · answered by Deenie 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Spend as much time as u can wit ur pets.....whnever u thnk tht they r unhappy or sick.....mk thm feel btr by petting thm......nd tlk 2 thm although they wont understand....It wrked wit me...
2007-08-01 18:55:24 · answer #7 · answered by madhulika 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why do you have rats just let them go and get a dog or something. I will even let you have my own dog
2007-08-01 18:51:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
The more you socialize with them the more comforatible they will become with being handled.
Dont give up.
2007-08-01 18:50:02 · answer #9 · answered by Aero-Smith 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋