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Am i doing right by my rats2007-11-24 21:57:31

ive had my baby boys just over a week. im handling them at least once a day but their still very nervous.they run away when i try to pick them up but are ok if i keep my hand still in the cage. any ideas?

Answers:

youre doing really well to get them that calm in a week keep on doing it

what your doing is the right thing putting your hand in and let them sniff and lick and run all over it, leave it in there for about 30 mins, i know its seems a long time but rats are neophobic and take about 30 mins to get over that fear

get yourself some yoggie drops[ i use the dog ones theyre bigger] and hold them in your fingers for them to come and nibble on, they'll soon love you forever

get or make yourself a little pouch you can have on your lap or round your neck, once they are happy to be picked up, pop them in there and sit with them outtside of the cage, when they start to come out give them a yoggie so again theyre learning coming out to play with you = good things

do this and by the time youve had them another couple of weeks i bet they'll be just fine

well done by the way for getting a same sex pair, they'll love you more for it

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They just have to get use to you,,, keep doing what you have been and they will come around. Rats are very smart so be patient with them

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Yup, that's the way, they do take a while to get used to handling, but you'll get there. Mine were fab after a couple of months, fun animals to watch.

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What I used to do was take all the food out of the cage for about an hour, then put it in my hand and hold it in the cage without moving until they came and ate out of it. you can do this while you are watching TV or something. Pretty soon my little ratties got so excited because they knew my hand meant food. With some rats it just takes them awhile to "come out of their shell." Give them little treats too (carrots, yogurt drops) when you come to the cage, and try to coax them out, don't just reach in and grab them because it is scary for them. Also try to talk to them alot and in a soothing voice. Make sure that they have plenty of toys in the cage so that they play and are happy. Sounds like you are doing a great job!

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when you put your hand in thier cage try and give them a treat or stroke them so they can get used to your scent, and when they are more confident then pick them up.

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let them ajust to you first feed them with food in ur hand and then let them get you scent.

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You're doing the right thing. I sit w/ my rat while I'm on the computer-He loves it:) He's gotten used to me that way. I also let him run free on the bed. Since he has no place to hide (at the computer or on the bed), he's gotten really used to me. He loves his chin and head rubbed-He just closes his eyes and sits there. They'll get used to you when they get a little older too. They have tons of energy when they're babies.

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They'll be nervous for awhile and some rats are always nervous - we have two who we've had for almost a year and they're still a bit skittish. Just keep handling them; stick your hand in the cage and let them get used to your scent, then try grabbing them (you'll have to be really quick, but it gets easier; don't chase them, though. If they feel cornered and in danger, they just might bite), and try offering little treats. That's a really good way to gain their trust. (Things like carrots, apple slices, and frozen peaches are favorites; we tried little oatmeal flavored toddler cookies, too, and that gets even our most timid rat running to the cage door for it.)