I have a male rat who is about 4 months old. I spend a great deal of time with him but the entire time he is out with me he is hiding on me somewhere. In my pockets or in the armpit of my sweat shirt. I used to think this was cute but now i think i am contrubuting to his shy behavour. How can i make my rat want to come and sit with me instead of hiding all the time ?? He is very friendly just shy but could that be because of his age ??
2007-10-29 10:11:04 · 8 answers · asked by Thia 3 in Pets ➔ Rodents
When I got my third rat, he had been very sick before so he wasent in the regular store window for sale untill he got better. That means he wasen't small when I got him wich means he was allot harder to socialize. Like your ratty, when I got mine, all he wanted to do was hide in my shirt or my armpits. He is still ALOT shier then my other rats, but he's gone a long way. I found that taking him out on my bed and only my bed everyday helped him allot. That way he has a routine and a enviroment he now knows and trusts. He can explore the bed and hide under the blankets and come out once he feels comfortable. He's now quite playfull when I take him out on my bed. He's still a little uncumfortable when I take him outside of my bedroom but he's doing better.
So try choosing a spot you want to take him out allot on and stick to that one spot until he's less shy. If you take him out on your sofa while watching tv you could also bring a blanket (use it everytime). So that he will hide under the blanket, and then start exploring the couch.
You could also try to offer your ratty allot of treats. My third ratty when I first got him didn't even take treats from my hand. He barely even ate. This is to be expected because it's a big chock going through a car ride and getting use to a new home. Now he's quite anxious to see me when I get home and he knows the routine that when I come to see them I give them a treat right away. Giving my rattys a treat gives me a chance to get my room ratty proof and for them to eat a treat and go to the potty before I take them out.
Your ratty is probably shy because he was probably not handdled allot as a baby. If you try what I suggested it could help your ratty be a little bit less shy. He will probably always retain a bit of his shyness but he will get more confident.
Best of luck with your ratty!
2007-10-30 02:21:08 · answer #1 · answered by Lambkins 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have had a variety of different rat personalities. Some are shyer than others. Right now we have some shy ones and I believe that we caused them to be shyer than they would have been if we had done more to interact with them. Whenever we let them out they would just hide in our blankets on the bed - I think that if we had done more to play with them then maybe they would not be so shy today. If you are trying to coax him out and play with you that is good - it may just be that he is a shy rat - but if you are not coaxing him to interact with you more then I would try that - pet him and talk baby talk to him and massage his sides. You may also want to try wearing some light clothing so that he does not have as much to hide in and is forced to interact with you more when you are holding him. Also try hand-feeding him treats if you are not doing that. Female rats are generally more playful but one of my cuddliest and huggiest of all of my rats is male.
2007-10-30 01:22:31 · answer #2 · answered by Roxcy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Right now he's very young and wants to explore. Male rats tend to be more laid back than females, once he starts to get about 6-8 months old he'll start to slow down and want to cuddle. For now, I would recommend letting your rat explore a safe area such as a bathroom and then letting him get bored and come to you.
If he doesn't start to slow down as he gets a little older the next few months then it's probably his personality.
2007-10-29 17:22:48 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Those hiding places you describe sound very warm and comfortable for a rat. I think he's just lazy. Female rats tend to be more active. I don't think he's shy, I just think he's comfortable. If you take him out, I'm sure he's sociable enough. Just dig him out whenever you want to see him. Evidently he feels at home with you.
2007-10-29 18:26:36 · answer #4 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Morel likely it's just the personality of this particular rat. Rats in general, like politicians and other rodents, are nocturnal animals and like to hide in the daytime. He might want to come out more readily if you handle him in subdued lighting.
2007-10-29 17:22:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
hi
ur rat is not shy he is enjoying ur body heat and also getting used to ur smell so he knows who u r. in time he will come out and say hello just give him a little time and love.
2007-10-29 18:46:40 · answer #6 · answered by cryin_sad_clown 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's probably just his personality or he may outgrow it. Continue to spend lots of time with him, and he'll learn to trust you. Make sure you're holding him in a quiet place and don't move too much.
2007-10-29 17:34:18 · answer #7 · answered by Bryanna 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start by petting him, then once he is comfortable with that,GENTLY pick him up and talk yo him softly then it could also be his personality
2007-10-29 19:02:50 · answer #8 · answered by Home Schooled Rat And Dog Freak 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋