I got her yesterday and she's only 9 weeks old but i'm getting the feeling she doesn't like me... all she does in stay in her cage even when i open the door she just stays in the corner i try picking her up but she doesn't like it...and when i do get her out all she does is run away and poop on me :*(
HELP!!!
2007-12-26 06:53:45 · 20 answers · asked by ? 2 in Pets ➔ Rodents
Nine weeks is pretty young for a rat, and she might not have been handled a lot before you got her. I don't think it sounds like she doesn't like you, just like she's scared. Try figuring out what treats she likes, like carrot tops or broccoli, then give her a little bit at a time and pet her very slowly while she munches. That will get her used to your hand and being around something so much bigger than she is. Most of all, be patient. That's the most important thing with small animals. These are pretty obvious, but just in case - never pull her tail, make loud noises around her, chase her, or in general be mean to her. Remember you're a LOT bigger than she is, and she doesn't know, yet, that you mean well. Two more notes - most rats don't really like cheese-it smells too strong for their sensitive noses- and iceberg lettuce is poisonous to rodents. Just be sweet to her, and she will grow to like you.
2007-12-26 07:05:40 · answer #1 · answered by Mountain Ash 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You got her yesterday. She's just scared. Try offering her treats (I use Rice Krispies, since they're so small and can be eaten quickly). When she comes to get the treat, pet her gently but don't pick her up.
If she's your only rat, getting her a companion will definitely help. I always adopt mine in pairs - experiencing a strange new world isn't as scary when you have your sibling with you, and they'll always have company when I'm not home.
2007-12-26 11:12:24 · answer #2 · answered by Lee Harvey Wallbanger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, where is she from? Sounds like she was not handled and may have been a feeder?
So imagine you have gone you whole life with you family, then something hundreds of time bigger than you comes and gets you and then tries to pet you and talk to you in a language you could not understand.
Eventually, he/she will get use to you. (the pooping on you will always happen) Keep handling and don't give up! Oh and don't pick her up by her tail.
2007-12-26 06:58:51 · answer #3 · answered by ccourtcleve 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
She just needs time to get used to you and her new surroundings. I think all pets go through this. I got a kitten iin August. For the first two weeks, she would run from me and try to hide. After she got used to the house and everyone in the house, she was fine. Now, I can't get her to stop following me around the house, or stop her from sleeping on top of me. :)
2007-12-26 07:00:26 · answer #4 · answered by qtpie831 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
she's a baby and taken out of her enviroment and put in a place that's new. it took a while for my 2 boys to get used to being in a new place. be sure to have her cage in a place around people, pick her up gently and talk to her softly. but don't forget they sleep durning the day and the best time to do this is at night, evening
2007-12-26 12:18:48 · answer #5 · answered by N M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She's just a baby and of course is going to be terrified of her new sorroundings seeing as you just got her yesterday. Leave her alone for a few days to get used to her sorroundings and then slowly try to tame and play with her. All newly introduced animals should be left alone for a few days to get used to their sorroundings. If you don't leave her alone stress will accumulate and you could have serious health problems.
2007-12-26 07:53:21 · answer #6 · answered by La Songeur™ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She has been taken out of a place with others like her, and put into a place with no 'rat smell'...she is slightly in a form of social trauma....but, she is the one that has to adjust...she will, but she needs time to herself to do this....
Give her solitude, let her hear what's going on, put something that smells like you(shirt) over her cage at night...datime too, if you wish.
Elysabeth
2007-12-26 07:00:19 · answer #7 · answered by Elysabeth 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In addition to the above good suggestions, give her a special treat whenever you handle her. This will be a pleasant experience for her and will start a bond between the two of you. The more you do this, the more the bond will be reinforced. She'll be eating our of your hand in no time :)
2007-12-26 07:09:25 · answer #8 · answered by Marguerite 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
She's not used to you yet. Keep petting her, picking her up, talking to her, giving her a treat. She'll soon start to feel safe around you and love you. Do NOT ignore her or else she won't get used to you. Some animals just take a little longer to get used to their new surroundings.
2007-12-26 07:01:28 · answer #9 · answered by ☆skyblue 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dude you just got her yesterday you need to make her trust you all you need to do is put some of his favorite treats in your hand and try talking in a soft voice to coo them out. They would usually slowly crawl to your hand because they are VERY curious creatures and when she is on your hand talk to her softly and slowly stroke her.
2007-12-26 13:58:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋