I have two, but one is very scared and shy. I have had them for about 3/4 days now. I need to clean the cage but I dont want to force it out as it only gets more scared. Any tips on how to get her out? I tried feeding her food but she just comes to the door and no further (the other feamle is fine and runs outside the cage)
HELP!??
2007-12-09 06:49:11 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Rodents
One easy thing to do is to find a container that the rat can fit into, like a small cardboard box, small coffee can, ect...... Place it inside the cage or at the door, then just use your hand to guide he or she into the container. Then you can get the rat out without upsetting it. Or if you want the rat to learn to come out on its own you could start leaving the cage door open when your in the room to supervise of course. Then leave a few of their fav treats close to the cage but out of reach from the cage itself to help coax the animal out. Perhaps once he or she is free to explore and finds it to be a positive experience they will be more likely to come out on their own, Good luck, hope this helps....
2007-12-09 07:03:39 · answer #1 · answered by dangerusfem 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
billytide, its a myth that rats like cheese (and its mice anyway Einstien!). Rats these days prefer sweetier fattier foods because they mostly feed off what we throw away, which for the most part is pretty unhealthy foods. My friends rat used to love pieces of burgers and Guinness.
You can try taking the less shy rat out of the cage and putting her in another cage/box away from the shyer one. Set it up so there is a box placed just over the entrance to the cage with some food in it to coax her in. If she goes in, quickly remove it from the cage.
The only other option you have is to take her out of the cage yourself. Be calm, gentle and quiet and she won't be too scared. You may want to do this after you've left her alone in there for a while, as the other rat leaving may freak her out a bit. If she gets too scared, cover her with a small piece of cloth so she can't see whats going on.
She may be scared, but a dirty cage is a far greater risk and she'll get used to it soon.
2007-12-09 06:59:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actualy grabbing the rat and handling it outside the cage for periods off time then putting it back into the cage untiil it gets used to being outside the cage. It feels attached to the cage as its a place off security to the rat.
2007-12-09 06:54:33 · answer #3 · answered by Payment 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just take her out, gently but firmly, and hold her or let her sit on your shoulder for 20 minutes. By this time she should be getting used to the idea. You won't overcome her shyness without handling her. If you give her the extra attention, she might even end up more friendly than the other one.
Anyway, she has to come out for the cage cleaning. She'll survive it.
2007-12-09 14:14:00 · answer #4 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i had a mouse and i say jsut pick them up. When my mouse was young she was very scared of everything but the more i handled her the more relaxed she got. You can try to get them more comfortable round you by putting something on your finger such as syrup and letting them lick it off, this shows you're not a threat because you're feeding them - but it might take a while for them to get the courage to actually sniff your finger, never mind lick it!
2007-12-09 06:53:24 · answer #5 · answered by Sofimofi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had rats for about 10 years. when they are shy, i just give them food and an time. if you need her out you can pull her out but, it s best if she in not afraid of you. when you pick her up put your hand under her to support her feet.if her feet are hanging it will scare her. put your other hand on top of her to prevent escape. holding her comely while your sitting down ever day for at least 10-15 minutes. this will get here used to you.
hope i helped.
2007-12-09 09:06:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't try getting them out yet, they are very tense because they are new to were they are living. Give them sweats that you can find at any animal store! Also wear gloves the first few times because they will bite, since they dont really know you either. trust my their bites hurt a LOT! but if you want to pick them up later you have to kind of pick them up off their belly and then hold your hand out for them so they can walk around =) i hope it helps!
2007-12-09 06:56:07 · answer #7 · answered by Nikki 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take It out, It needs to know it can't be the owner, Had the same problem with my bunny, Also if your holding/playing with the other one it might be jelous, or think you dont like it as much. Try to pay equal attention to both, The unshy one might get agreesive if you don't keep paying the same attention to it also.
2007-12-09 07:16:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi. i have 3 rats and used to have the same problem. grabbing it probably would make it more scared. i used to put a box in tht it could hide in and when it had gone in cover up the entrance and move it to where i wanted. it will feel safe in a closed environment then. perhaps put in a treat to lure it in there. =D
2007-12-09 06:55:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A shy rat....first time ive ever heard those words together.
maybe you could put a cat in the cage.
2007-12-09 06:53:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋