I have 2 female rats that dont like to be picked up often. One will let me pet her once she is out.?

Question

Even though one will let me pet her she will try to run away and resists me as much as possible. The other one is hard to pick up and will not let me do anything. Other details include that they are 9 weeks old ( i've had them for over a week) and have ruby eyes.

Even though one will let me pet her she will try to run away and resists me as much as possible. The other one is hard to pick up and will not let me do anything. Other details include that they are 9 weeks old ( i've had them for over a week) and have ruby eyes. So should i hold them more often or start over and gradualy befriend them. I have tried luring them out with food but they will run away when the food gets closer to the door.

I am wondering if i should handle more often or start over with gradual steps. Also luring them out does not work help!!!!

Answer 1

Patience! It takes more than a week. You might be moving to fast for them. Try not touching them for a few days. Talk to them through the cage. When they seem okay with your voice, try giving them a treat. When they are comfortable with that, try petting them with your finger. Keep increasing contact as they tolerate it. It takes time for them to get used to you. Once they trust you, the more you handle them the tamer they will get.

Answer 2

take them out one at a time
rats do not usually bite - when they are afraid their first instinct is to pee or poop
spend time with each one of them - at least 15 minutes at first and then 30 minutes a day
if you sit and put a towel in your lap and lay your rat on it and pet her and just be calm and don't let her run this will help.
also give them treats from your hand through the cage bars... they need to learn to associate your hands with good things: petting, treats, etc.
the more you interract and handle them the more tame they will be
my rat rides on my shoulder and hangs out in my office desk and just loves doing anything with me
patience, and just remember that you really need to start touching them soon
also they will usually not run very far if they run - if they have ruby eyes they probably cannot see that well and will only run a few feet away at the most
just keep petting her and loving on her the whole time she is out with you
afterwards give her a special treat and then do the same with the other one
yogurt drops are a favored treat of rats

Answer 3

Used this for anothee question so bear with the pronouns.

Listen if you just got your rat he'll freak out until he gets use to you. He'll probably pee and poo, but it because he is scared. Try to hold the rat to your chest. The warmth of your chest may calm him down (watch out for your shirt). Try handling your rattie every day so he can get use to you. If he's in a room no one goes in try to move him near your computer or somewhere else you go a lot. Also check sex. Female rats are a lot harder to handle than males. I personally have had both sexes and prefer males even with their musky scent. In the end it depends on the character of the rat. And remember to give him a treat whenever your done handling him, by dropping it in the cage. Don't give your rat food by fingers, because they may get into the habit of biting your fingers. One of my rats does this and the other one doesn't.
Someone above wrote let your rat explore a room. Don't do it until he is used to you. Your presecne in the room may scare him into hiding if he doesn't know you. Also rats love have their chins and heads scratched.
With patience and persistence your rat will come to know you, like you, then love you, and that is the best reward.

Answer 4

It took my girlie Jillian a good three months to get used to me. My other girls and boys adapted in two or three days. It completely depends on the rat, just keep at it trying to befriend them. Try offering them some plain yogurt or other lickable treat that they have to stay by you to eat, it will teach them you won't hurt them. It's verry common, especially in pet store rats who have not been rasied properly, to be antisocial at first! Just give them time and love, and they'll be closer to you than ever soon!

Answer 5

try Leaveing them in a darkened room most of the time, walk in quietly and sit below the cage so it is higher. it makes the rats feel more powerful and makes it think you are smaller and therefore is less scared. Talk to it a lot, Give it lots of toys, Maybe buy some treats and put them on your hand and let it eat them off your hand (it might take them and run but this is normal)

Answer 6

Handle them more. They are just unsocialized. Be gentle with them, let them climb on you.
After you have handled a rat for about twenty minutes, she should be a lot more comfortable. Then handle them daily.

Answer 7

I agree with hamsterk. Plus, when u take them out, use a cup or something, and let them get out and crawl on you in their own time. Practice and patience makes perfect.

Answer 8

start of by just having your hand in the cage let them get used to your smell and that your not a threat to them it takes time but if you really want them then its worth the wait

Answer 9

I don't know much about rats but for hamsters, they tend to be territorial, especially dwarves. This is most likely the case. Since you haven't had them for a while, try to train them and get to know your scent. For example, take a NONSCENTED piece of toilet paper and put your scent on it and place it in their cage.

Answer 10

It's called trust training.

http://www.ratfanclub.org/trust.html

Bear in mind that girls tend to be hyper, and don't want to stay still for long.