Are your rats timid? If they’re not excited about coming out of their cage to be with you—or if they don’t like to be picked up or petted—here are some tips you and your shy rats will love!
A change of scenery
Taking your rats out into an area they haven’t previously visited is a great way to get them more used to being with you. Once shy rats are in a new territory, YOU will become the only thing familiar to them. They will then naturally want to stay close to you. Once they do start venturing out into a new locale inside your home, they’ll regularly return to check back in with you for safety.
How it works
An ideal new place for shy rats to explore is in a bathroom. Other places that also work well are on top of a bed or large table.
Setting up beds or tables:
- Cover the bed or table with a fleece blanket or some other cloth you don’t mind if it gets soiled.
- Place litter boxes or stacks of paper towels in each corner if you plan on litter box training your rats. (Or if they’re already litter box trained.)
- Position different items such as boxes and bags around the bed or table in which shy rats can hide and play once they get acclimated.
- Place barriers such as stacks of books or heavy, unopened cans of food such as soup all along the edges. Whether or not you decide to use some sort of barrier, be ready to notice immediately when your rat is heading towards the edge of the bed or table and redirect them back towards the center. (When a rat falls from a height of a foot or more, serious internal injuries may result.)
How to prepare a bathroom:
- Sweep and mop the floor if needed
- Remove anything from the floor that could be dangerous (toilet bowl brush, garbage can, etc.)
- Any electrical cords should be either unreachable or covered over with split tubing.
- Make sure the toilet seat is down. Some rats (especially young girl rats!) will want to jump up onto the toilet seat lid. It’s amazing how far and high they can jump. Make sure any rats who are prone to jumping onto the toilet lid are always supervised while in a bathroom. Once they make it up on top of the lid, they have no way of coming safely back down on their own.
- Cover cracks where they could escape into the walls. The most overlooked place for finding openings is underneath the bottoms of cabinets, just above the floor. Typically, there is an open space between the bottom of cabinets and the floor of the bathroom. If your rats were to get up into this space, they could end up venturing into the walls of your home. Cut up cardboard boxes or rolled-up towels wedged into the area work well to block these types of escape routes.
- Likewise, if the closed bathroom door has a large enough gap underneath it for your rats to squeeze through, be sure to cover this over as well. (Use a rolled-up towel or empty paper towel tubes to block any extra space under the door.)
[For more tips on setting up danger-free rooms, see Making a Room Safe for Your Pet Rats.]
Transporting your shy rats from their cage to the new area
If you are not yet able to pick up your rats when they are in their cage, here are a few options:
If their cage is not too large, bring it into your bathroom with them inside. If their cage is too big, carry them into the bathroom inside a smaller cage, a cat carrier or even a small cardboard box.
To use a small cardboard box, find one that either already has a lid or a way to enclose your rats inside while moving them to their new play area. You can even cover the top with a small towel when using a box to bring your shy rats outside their cage. Sometimes you can just hold up a box to a rat while inside their cage and they’ll voluntarily get into it. Otherwise, lure them into the box by placing a small treat inside. Once they are inside, gently close or cover the box and bring them into the bathroom.
If you’re already able to pick up your shy rats while they’re inside their cage, bring them into the bathroom on your shoulder. Sit down with them on the floor. At first, they may just want to stay on your shoulder. Or they might want to go inside your shirt or down into your sleeve if you are wearing long sleeves.
How to coax them out to explore
If they’re in their cage, a carrier or box, open the door or uncover the box. If your shy rats are too scared to come out, offer tasty treats that smell enticing. Small pieces of bread with peanut butter spread very sparingly work well. (Caution: Make sure to not give too much peanut butter at a time. Rats can easily choke on a big “glob” of peanut butter. They can also choke on mashed-up bread so just tear off small pieces without squishing the bread. If you do find it’s easier to squish up the bread, just make sure it’s shaped into thin, flat pieces.) Another treat rats enjoy are Cheerios. You can break these up into quarters, so they only get a tiny amount at a time.
At first allow your rats to take the treat from you even if they only come as far as the door of the cage or carrier. After they are used to receiving a treat when they come to the door, wait until your rats stick their head outside the cage or carrier door before offering a treat. Finally, gradually coax them all the way out of the cage before giving a treat.
Once they are completely out of the cage, move the cage, carrier or box to an area where they cannot reach or even see it. This is when YOU will become their refuge. When they see there is nowhere to go to hide and you are continuing to talk softly and offer treats, they will want to be with you. Even after they start to gradually explore the new area, they’ll regularly run back to you making sure you are still there as their protector.
Go slowly, start small with shy rats
The key to success is to introduce your rats to new surroundings gradually. The first day take them out into the unfamiliar space for just 10 minutes. Then increase by 10 minutes each time you have them out. Once they’re acclimated, you’ll no longer need to increase the amount of time in which they are out. Especially when first trying this out with your shy rats, make sure to continually move slowly and talk softly. Also, it helps to work with your rats every single day. Preferably, having your rats out at least twice a day is best.
Hi there! This is my first time owning rats and I have two male rats the I got from petco. They’re both roughly 6 months old and they’re both pretty shy. The most I’ve gotten them to do is climb halfway out onto my hands but they’ll always leave one foot at least inside the cage. I’ve tried to gently pet them with a finger while holding a treat and I’ve tried putting them on my bean bag (it has a net around it) to give them a change of scenery. I’ve tried picking them up before to try to tickle them since I also heard that tickling helps with bonding, but they’ll squeak at me and run away. I’ve had them both for a week now and most other articles have said you can bond with them within a couple days as a start at least. Im trying to give them plenty of treats but I don’t want to overstep their boundaries. Do you have any tips for new rats that are a little older and shy? Im also not sure if them coming from a pet store like petco affects anything but I feel like that would have an effect on their behavior.
Hi Kari,
CongRATulations on your new family members! I’m excited for you.
It can take longer than a few days and often even longer than a few weeks for your new rats to bond with you. The important thing is to consistently work with them, preferably at least twice a day. It’s true that, if you got your rats from a place where they weren’t handled regularly, it may take longer for them to acclimate.
Working with them at least twice daily will allow your rats to bond with you over a longer period, possibly even a couple of months.
I don’t agree with tickling as a way to facilitate bonding. If it works for you, though, that’s great. Instead, I’m a fan of talking with them in a soft, soothing voice and petting them with slow, gentle strokes. Tickling seems a little too aggressive, especially if they’re not used to you yet.
I think you’d really like reading my post Bonding with Your Pet Rats in Three Easy Steps. The suggestions covered in this post such as being mindful of their cage location, having them out away from their cage on your body and exploring new environments will really be effective for developing your bond with your rats.
Let me know if you need any clarification or have any further questions. I really appreciate your reaching out and asking your questions. From what you wrote, you sound like you’ll take excellent care of your pet rats.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hello, I got 3 baby girl rats about 5days ago from a breeder. They are I think 5 weeks old as they are mega small. They are not used to us at all and are extremely scared of us, they did come to the front of the cage to get food a couple of times but when we tried to go inside to their cage they bit us or ran away! I dont know what to do as It is my first time having pet rats. I tried bringing them out today and held them so they could get use to me but they were super scared and one of them even screamed everytime I tried to touch her. Please can you help me and give me some tips coz the vet told me to bring them out everyday and play with them and also to clean their cage but I dont want to make them uncomfortable.
Hi Neg,
Thanks for asking your great question! It’s perfectly normal for your new rats to be afraid of you, espcially in the beginning.
I think you’d really like the tips in my article Bonding with Your Pet Rats. In this post you’ll learn about optimum cage locations, ways to have your rats out with you (on your body) as well as the importance of exploring new environments to help establish that you are their “safety”.
5 weeks is very young. Add to that, your new rats are girls. This combination is one that takes a lot of time before they’ll be comfortable with you. Being so young and being girls makes them extra “busy”. This can translate into their being skittish and disinterested in wanting to relate to you…until you’ve put in lots of hours of spending time with them. It can take several months before you find they’re starting to bond with you.
Especially if you follow the tips in Bonding with Your Pet Rats, you’ll eventually find they become a lot less “wild”. Make sure to designate time to spend with your new girls at least twice daily, preferably for a minimum of 2 hours daily.
It sounds like you have a great vet. The tips your vet gave you are perfect—spending time with your rats every day (preferably twice a day) as well as cleaning their cage are both great areas to focus on, especially in the beginning.
Let me know if you have any additional questions or need any clarification. I’m happy to help anytime!
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
My girl, Honey, is about 6-7 weeks old. She is very skittish! I got her about a week ago, so I wasn’t expecting too much yet, but she wants nothing to do with me. She doesn’t nibble or bite, but she is quick and runs anytime I try to interact with her, even is that’s simply talking to her through the cage. Her cage is near my couch where I can watch TV or eat dinner, and if I reach for something on my coffee table, even thay scares into hiding.
Her hiding spot has made it near impossible to reach her. I put a velcro lining on her cage floors and ramps to avoid bumblefoot and she had nibbled her way into the middle of the lining and burrowed herself there. I give her clean food everyday but she rarely touches it. She knows the term “num nums” which are treat that I give her through the cage, either something that allows her to snatch and run or she will lick liquid treats off my finger at times. That is all the contact I can have with her though. I tried last night to get her in a little box with ‘num nums’ in it to bring her to the bathroom, but she was too quick, I couldn’t get her out of the cage as much as she tries to biter her way out.
I am trying to get another girl soon to hopefully help her get more socialization. Originally I wanted 2 boys for cuddles, but she was the only rat there and my heart broke at the thought of leaving her alone without anybody to handle her properly.
Hi Kristen,
The behaviors Honey is exhibiting are all normal for a super young girl rat you’ve only had for about a week. It will take longer than one week to gain Honey’s trust and acceptance. It can even take months.
It’s especially common for girl rats to not want anything to do with you initially. I can almost guarantee, though, that she will get used to you eventually and will learn to enjoy being with you.
It makes sense that, even reaching for something on your coffee table, scares her into hiding. Remember that rats are prey animals. Besides this, Honey is also in a totally new environment.
I would suggest teaching her to come out of her cage by coaxing her out onto your arm as follows:
1.) Hold out a treat and don’t give it to her until she steps closer to your held out arm just outside the cage. Do this or 5-10 times twice daily for 1-2 days.
2.) After she gets used to taking the treat from your hand with the cage door open and your arm held out in front of it, she’s now ready to get closer to your arm. You can even place the treat on your arm. Allow her to take the treat from your arm even if she doesn’t want to get up onto your arm.
3.) After several days of doing this twice daily, start giving her the treat only if she steps up onto your arm. Keep repeating this process. Every couple of days coax her a little farther up your arm before giving her the treat.
4.) Once you get her to come as far as your shoulder, slowly move away from her cage and let her get used to being on your shoulder for a brief period. (1-2 minutes) Do this twice daily. Every couple of days add more minutes to the time she’s on your shoulder. Work up to the goal of being able to walk away from her cage with her on your shoulder. Then you’ll be able to spend time with her away from her cage. This will greatly help allow her to bond with you.
Another thing that can make a huge difference is simply talking to her. Use a soft, soothing voice. Say hi to her, praise her when she moves closer to you, etc. Talk with her a lot so she gets used to your voice. This allows her to learn to trust you in a way other than touching. Keep talking with her and allow her to take her time. She will get used to you more and more as long as you spend lots of time on a twice daily basis with her.
Remember that this process of her learning to trust you and her environment takes lots of time and patience.
You mentioned you give her fresh food daily but that she rarely touches it. Does this mean she’s barely eating? Hopefully not—but, if so, she is likely to gradually eat more the more she gets used to you and her new environment. If she’s currently barely eating at all, however, I recommend taking her to a veterinarian who’s knowledgeable about and experienced with pet rats. I recommend doing this for all new rats anyways.
Regarding her nibbling through and hiding in the liners on her cage floors and ramps, it may help to provide her with more places in which to hide (such as cardboard boxes) and more things to do. I’d recommend placing something to chew on in her cage as well as several boxes and even a hanging cube or other sort of bed. My rats adore this pirate ship. They immediately go inside it and sometimes it’s difficult to get them out.
Another article on my website that may be helpful for you is Bonding with Your Pet Rats in Three Easy Steps. (It does sound like you’re already doing some of these things, though.)
I hope these ideas are helpful for you. Let me know if you need any clarification or any further questions.
Best Wishes to You & Honey,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
PS – That’s great you’re getting a friend for her. That will help her feel more comfortable in her new home.
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First time having a pet rat. Not sure her age we got her from petco. She comes up to me even if I dont have snacks but as soon as I go to touch her she runs off into her bed. Which is her hiding spot. I’ve gotten her into a ball to roll around a few times but one day I decided to open the ball and try to let her out into my lap she jumped onto the couch. I should have just let her roam around but we have only had her for about 4 days at this point. Now she won’t go into the ball. She still comes to me but won’t let me touch her. She seems to want out but won’t let me get her out. Her cage is on a stand because I have a kid so i can’t just leave the door open. Ive tried holding my hand out and letting her climb into my hand she did it ounce but as soon as I moved she ran off.
Hi Tiffany,
I hope you’re gradually seeing some positive changes since you wrote. It sounds like you may have a baby. Babies, especially girl babies, are very active and often don’t like being held or petted. Instead, girls like to run around a lot. I’ve had several girl baby rats whom I’d describe as being “hyperactive”. However, this is just how the majority of female rat babies are.
Remember, it takes time for them to adjust to their new surroundings and to you.
One thing that would help, if you haven’t already tried it, is to coax her onto your arm with a snack. (Let her see and smell the snack and encourage her to follow your hand with the snack. Eventually you’ll be able to lure her all the way up your arm so she’s sitting on your shoulder. Start small, though, and just have her come out on your arm briefly and then allow her to run right back in her cage if she wants to. Each day have her come up your arm a little farther. Repeat this several times throughout the day.
Whatever you do to get her more used to you, it takes time and repetition. Don’t expect too much in the beginning. Over time, you will see her gradually become used to you touching her.
Another post that may help you is How to Bond with Your Pet Rats.
When she’s tired and ready to take a nap would be the best time to try petting her. (Very slowly and very gently while talking softly.) Keep observing what’s working and what isn’t. Then respond accordingly.
Balls are NOT a good idea: Rats can get their nails stuck in the little holes and cracks and this could cause an injury. Plus, it’s just not that enriching for them. It’s so much better to expose them to new areas and situations when they can touch/feel, smell and move without the encumbrance of a ball.
Finally, are you getting a friend for her? It’s always best to have at least two pet rats.
Let me know if you have any questions and/or need any clarification. Feel free to send me an update on how she’s doing.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rat,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Things take time. My rat Sophia took 3 days till she was happy enough to no up on my hands and up my arms. It’s just all the matter of patience. My rat Dexter took 2 weeks. Just keep feeding them and handling them. Get a bonding pouch for ur rat too. Or a towel to carry on ur chest with them. Take em out for walks on ur shoulder or in ur pouch. Pet then alot, they will get use to u. Hope this helps!
Hi Janiel,
Thanks for your excellent comments and words of encouragement!
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hi! First time rat mom, and your articles have been a life saver!
I adopted two females that are sisters almost 2 weeks ago, and I was told they’re around 6-7 months old. From what I can tell, they weren’t handled very much from the previous owner so I’ve got my work cut out for me.
We’re making slow progress on trust and we’re at the point where they run up to when they hear me come in the room or get noticeably more active when they hear me busying about. One of my girls, Poppy, is a little more shy but so tolerable of being handled/stroked, and has never even teethed me. The problem lies with Penny – she nips me almost every time she comes in contact with my fingers/hand. I have a hunch that she’s beginning to associate my hands with yummy snacks since I tried to encourage her with plenty of treats. She’ll nip my fingers through the cage bars, nip if I stroke her in the cage, nip if I fill their food/water, and even if I lay my hand still in their crate. I’ve tried to remedy this by using a hoodie sleeve to cover most of my hand and “eep”-ing to not much avail. I’ve tried a stern “no bite” command, pause, and then stroke her gently with a baby voice of encouragement and that works very shortly – then back to nipping or losing interest in me entirely.
I’ve had them both out of the cage once for a short time to acclimate and while Poppy hangs around me, Penny seems to look for an escape, and I’m fairly nervous to pick her up so I’m hesitant with her out of the cage. Poppy, however, I can scoop right up and put her back with no issues.
Penny is a goofy girl, loves to run up and watch me and the more inquisitive of the two. I love her terribly, I’m just not sure what would be effective in helping her.
Wondering if you have tips/tricks to break this association/whatever is going on! Any tips would be GREATLY appreciated.
Hi Victoria,
CongRATulations on your new family members!
Thank you for providing so many details about Penny and what’s going on when she nips at you. Here are my recommendations:
When you and Penny are spending time together, you need to make sure there’s absolutely no way she can bite you. In other words, biting or nipping you is not even a choice she’ll have. This will be temporary, although it could take up to several months for her to stop wanting to nip at you. For now, you need to help her unlearn the nipping behavior.
Your idea of keeping your hoodie sleeves covering up your hands is fantastic.
Other ways to not give her the chance to bite you are:
Fill up their food dishes/water bottles when they’re not inside their cage. Take them out at least once daily (see more ideas on this below). You can clean and refresh their food and water right before you place them back inside their cage. You could either allow them to walk around on top of their cage while you’re changing their food and water, or place them somewhere else nearby that’s safe for them and easy to supervise while you’re doing things inside their cage.
For now, don’t allow Penny to take food directly from your hand. It’s okay to feed Poppy from your hand since she doesn’t nip you. It will also be good for Penny to observe Poppy getting treats from your hand. Penny can learn from watching Poppy not biting you.
For awhile, I’d place any treats in their cage when Penny isn’t watching. That way she’ll still get a treat but won’t be associating it with your hand. I definitely wouldn’t feed her any treats through the bars of their cage for now.
Eventually, after a week or two, you can start feeding Penny treats by hand again. I recommend doing this by very slowly moving your hand towards her and stopping when you’re still about a foot away from her. Then allow her to come forward to get the treat. I always like to say “Easy, easy now” when doing this to vocalize my wish for her to go slow and not be inclined to bite. I believe that talking slowly can help her relax and can help her not rush forward and bite.
That’s great they’re now running up when they hear you come in the room as well as getting noticeably more active when they hear you moving around. An article I wrote that may give you some more helpful ideas on becoming familiar with one another is Bonding with Your Pet Rats in 3 Easy Steps.
An idea that could really work well for you (found in my above-mentioned Bonding article) is to have them both out on your shoulders in a different room, away from their cage. This is another way for them to think of you as their “safe zone”. When you’re out in a place they’ve never been before, they will associate you with safety and will become more confident in their familiarity of you.
You mentioned when you wrote that you’d had them out of the cage one time. I’d start taking them out at least once daily (if you haven’t already) so they can continue to bond with you and learn that you are a safe person. Take them out in a place where there’s no chance to escape. Good places for starting with their out-of-cage time would be on top of a table or a on bed. You’ll want to safeguard them from jumping off the sides. On a table, most of the time rats won’t try to get off. I’ve found they can be more prone to wanting to jump off when on a bed. If they do attempt to go off the edge of the table or bed, be ready to gently herd them back toward the middle of the surface and/or place barriers up around the edges.
Do they live in a crate? I know we all use different terminology. You mentioned both “cage” and “crate”. I’m wondering if Penny is nipping at you while in “their crate” because the space is too small and she’s trying to protect her territory?
Another article you may find helpful is Pet Rat Bites: Why they do it and how to stop them.
I hope you find at least some of these ideas helpful. Let me know if you need any clarification on anything I’ve written here. I’d also love to hear an update if you’d be interested in providing one in the future.
I’m so glad you’ve found my website helpful. It means so much to me to know I’ve helped.
Best Wishes to You, Penny and Poppy,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hi Jasmine!
I wanted to thank you for your advice – it’s made a night and day difference with my girls! I’ve upgraded them to a 3 story, ~3 ft cage and incorporated more sneaky ways of giving treats… and wow, SUCH a difference! The girls have been more curious with my hands, light “what is this?” nips, and even some grooming and rat kisses recently!
Now that we’re on the next steps of our journey in trust, I wanted to get your thoughts. Over the past 2 weeks, both girls are happy to greet me in the cage and “follow me” as I move around. They’re learning the pressure appropriate for nibbling on and grooming me, they freely take treats when offered as a reward, and even have fun jumping into my hands. I’m noticing they’re still very wary of me stroking them, and Poppy in particular gets very nervous if I try to handle her to keep her safely on me/my arm. Penny is more open to being handled while already standing on me, but I cannot freely pick her up from inside her cage for example. How would you approach next steps for introducing handling and physical contact like petting/caring for them? Thanks so much as always for your wonderful advice!
Hi Victoria,
What fantastic progress you and your girls have made. I’m impressed! I’m also very excited to hear you got a larger cage for them.
Here are some ideas to help Poppy become less nervous when you handle her to keep her safely on your body:
Have you tried having them out on your shoulder away from their cage? When doing so, most rats will think of you as their “life raft” and not want to be separated from you. You become their protection and safe place. I think having them out on your shoulder and away from their cage could be very helpful for Poppy to get more used to you touching her when you need to keep her safely positioned on your body.
Keep in mind it could still take several weeks or even a month before she fully becomes used to you touching her. Also, your expectations may be too high for them at this time. They’re girls! Female rats generally are less affectionate. It’s not true for all females but there are definitely females who like being more independent, especially when they’re young. It’s normal for them to not want to be stroked. They’ve got places to go and things to do. Usually as rats age, they become much more open to being petted and held. Your rats are still fairly young.
Another way to help Poppy feel less anxious about being touched, is to touch her briefly throughout her free range time. Practice touching her briefly whenever she comes over to see you. Praise her when she allows you to pet her. They really do respond well to praise.
Touching her while she’s eating a treat can be a good idea, too. She’ll be so focused on enjoying what she’s eating that she won’t care as much if you’re touching her.
Here is an idea for getting Penny used to your picking her up from inside their cage:
1. Have her become very used to your having your hand being inside their cage. At first, keep your hand far away from her body. Over a period of days or even a week gradually move your hand closer each time.
2. Work up to her allowing you to touch her gently and briefly without picking her up. Do this for several days.
3. Start to put your hand around her as if you’re about to hold her and then move your hand away without picking her up. Do this gently/briefly for several days.
4. Pick her up gently/briefly while she’s inside her cage and put her right back down for several days.
5. Pick her up and and move her to a slightly different location in her cage.
6. Pick her up and take her outside their cage. Give her a treat.
As you can see, each of the above steps needs to be repeated for several days before moving on to the next step. It’s good to practice these steps at least twice a day. If at any time you observe her being uncomfortable, you can always back up a step or two and then gradually build back up to having her be okay with your touching her.
Hope these ideas are helpful! Let me know if you need any clarification and feel free to keep me posted on their progress. Again, I’m really impressed by what you’ve done so far!
Best Wishes to You, Penny & Poppy,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
That is helpful I learned
Thank you, Victoria! I appreciate your positive feedback. It means a lot to me. Helping people helping rats is my #1 passion in life. :)
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hey Jasmine! I’ve recently gotten two pet rats. They’re both girls, dumbos, and sisters. I’ve named them Sage and Iris and they are around 2 months old, being born on November 24th, 2022. I got them on January 8th, four days earlier than I should have. They are also breeder rats, having been bred by a teenage girl a little older than I am.
Sage is a little skittish, she will sometimes back up when I go to grab her from her cage, but more willing to climb up my hand and to my arms and shoulder. The problem that I’ve noticed is that Sage’s claws are rather sharp, and I woke up to little bumps on my arms, hands, and the back of my neck. They were itchy, and looked sort of like mosquito bites. They might have been, too, if it wasn’t Antarctica outside the house. (I live in Canada and it’s January.) So I purchased some nail clippers for small animals. It said for cats and small dogs, but they are still small enough to be used as rat clippers. It is Sage’s claws, because Iris doesn’t climb onto my arms willingly. I only managed to get 4 nails off of one paw, while she was munching on a rabbit treat. (These little mixed berry yogurt drops.) But now treats wouldn’t distract her from the clippers. I’ve decided to put a rock near their water bottle, to see if maybe Sage could file her nails down in an area she often uses, but the girls ended up moving it somehow, and got it under the little hiding spot in their little exercise disk. How would you recommend I go about cutting her nails, so it’s a less stressful experience for both of us? I’ve taken her to the bathroom, and we all co-exist in my bedroom, so I’ve tried cutting her nails here on my bed.
Now, I’ll talk about Iris. Iris is very skittish. I think she misses her breeder. I’ve had her for two weeks, today marking the fourteenth day. She has been continuously sneezing since I got her, sometimes non-stop for two minutes. It’s been worrisome for me, since Sage hasn’t sneezed at all, but a website says that they’ll sneeze for the first week or so, because of all the new smells. I’ve been checking her nose and eyes for large amounts of porphyrin and there hasn’t been any large amounts, hardly any at all, but being a high school student, I’m gone for most of the day, five days a week, so I can’t monitor her behaviour all of the time. She’s always hiding, and rarely comes out, except to drink water, go to the bathroom, and eat food whenever I put their tray out or offer them treats and snacks. She will hardly come near me, but when she does, she likes being my personal dentist and sticks her entire head into my mouth. I notice that whenever I go to grab her from their cage, she will immediately move backwards to avoid my hand. How do I get both girls to bond with me? My mother recently bought a little bonding neck pouch with a mesh window in the front and a zipper, so I’ll take them with me everywhere I go, but it’s not enough to get them to truly bond with me. I know stuff like this takes time, and they’re still fairly new to the house, but I am so anxious about giving them the best life. They have a really large cage, large enough to house five rats, but I want a playpen so that I can play with them too. My mother is very reluctant about getting one, however. It’s not necessary, but it would soothe my fears of them having a boring life. I would really appreciate some advice. These are my first rats, and first pets that are my own for years.
I also have this blanket hoodie thing, so I have them climb all over me when I wear it. I’ll put up the hood when Sage is at the back of my neck so it’s like a little hammock, but all around.
Hi Mya,
Thanks for your great questions! And congRATulations on bringing home your new family members!
You wrote “The problem that I’ve noticed is that Sage’s claws are rather sharp, and I woke up to little bumps on my arms, hands, and the back of my neck. They were itchy, and looked sort of like mosquito bites.” It sounds like you may have allergies to pet rats. I think you’d likely benefit from reading my article Human Allergies to Pet Rats: How to reduce symptoms. In this article you’ll read that “Most human allergies to pet rats are caused by contact with rat urine, saliva and skin dander. All of these substances can be found on a rat’s fur, under their nails as well as inside their cage.” So, yes, trimming your rats’ nails could be very helpful….along with the other tips in the article about being allergic to pet rats.
As far as your method for trimming your rats’ nails, you’re definitely on the right track. For more tips on trimming nails, Trimming Your Pet Rats’ Nails could be helpful for you.. It goes over in detail how to do nail trimming on your rats. In particular, you may benefit from trimming just one (or two at most) nails a day.
Regarding Iris sneezing a lot, I’d definitely recommend they both be examined by a veterinarian who’s knowledgeable about and experienced with pet rats. I think it’s important to take all new pet rats to a good vet after you’ve had them for about a week. (A week gives you enough time to observe their personalities and health so you’ll have information to convey to your vet during your visit.)
That’s fantastic you have a large cage for them! That makes such a difference in their well-being.
Regarding a playpen, they’re super easy to build. I’m hoping to post an article and video of how to do this in the near future. Meanwhile, all you need to do is to get 3 or more large boxes. Cut one edge of the box so it lies completely flat. You can then tape the “panels” together. You also need to tape up the cracks that are between each flap. I’ll email you a photo.
Other articles on my website that will help you give your rats an enriched life are:
20 Ways to Show Your Rats You Love Them
Making A Room Safe for Your Pet Rats
Bonding with Your New Pet Rats
Videos on my You Tube channel you may find helpful:
A Mazing Pet Rat
Pet Rat Food Puzzle Fun
I hope these ideas have been helpful for you. Don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any additional questions or need any clarification.
Again, congRATulations on your new family members! You’re going to enjoy them so much!
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hello advice I have t o females I have had them for three months now they will take food from me I let them out the cage they have the full living room besides under the sofas but if I move or talk they just run back into the cage and when I lay on the floor not moving they just come up and bite me any advice
Hi Andy,
There are a couple of things that would help your rats bond with you. The first thing is that you need to get them out AWAY from their cage. That way they will think of YOU as their safe spot rather than their cage. I would recommend taking them out with you on your shoulder and walking around with them inside your home. This accomplishes two things: They get more used to being with you AND they establish that you’re a safe place for them to be. The next-to-last paragraph in the above post explains that it’s important to get them away from their cage.
Besides the tips in the post above, you may benefit from reading Bonding with Your Pet Rats in Three Easy Steps.
Finally, I just want to mention that allowing them underneath your sofas may not be the best idea. I’ve had rats chew holes in my couch and then nest inside where I wasn’t able to easily get them back out again. Also, there’s a danger of them getting stepped on by mistake if they dart out and you’re not expecting them….or injured by moving your couch when not knowing they’re underneath it. For tips on how to protect both your rats and your couches, check out Making a Room Safe for Your Pet Rats.
Thanks for asking your important question! Let me know if you need any clarification or have any other questions.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
I just got two boys that are about 8 weeks old three days ago. I’ve been hand feeding them since the second day and they’ll come into my hand and accept the food after being wary for a few moments, but they still usually jump/freeze anytime I try to pet them or come close. I’ve seen some people recommending to just pick them up anyways and try holding them to show them that there’s no danger, but that feels like it might be traumatizing for them.
Also, they’re very playful with each other and move around the cage a lot, but when I open the cage up for them (to a blocked off hallway area with boxes and treats and stuff to climb on), they almost never leave. I’ll leave the cage open and sit a few feet from them for hours while I do stuff on my phone or talk or eat, but they just stay hiding in their cage. I kind of feel like they’re just shy still but if there’s anything else I could do to get them more used to me other than just keep feeding them I’d love to know. Thank you!
Hi Hannah,
Thank you for asking such a great question. How are they coming along lately? I’m sorry I wasn’t able to respond sooner. Having 2 sick rats along with working full-time has been very challenging for me.
What I’d recommend for your particular situation is taking your boys out on your shoulder or in your hands. I’d take them to an area completely away from where their cage is located. You can take them to be out on a bed or a table or even a rat-proofed bathroom. Being away from their cage will help them build confidence. Also, once they’re away from their cage, YOU then become their safe refuge. This is what you want to establish with them—-that you are their “safety”.
I’m not sure if you’ve already seen this article that also applies specifically for what you’re going through with your rats: Bonding with Your New Pet Rats.
When you originally asked your question, your rats were still relatively new. They were also adjusting to a new environment. I’m wondering if they’ve become more inquisitive and more willing to interact with you by now.
Don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions. I should be able to respond much more quickly next time.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hi,
I wanted to ask how to encourage two rats to socialize with each other to implement tactile stimulation. Can I use a type of substrate or bedding for them to snuggle in, so they can get comfortable with each other?
Hi Veronica,
I emailed you as well that I replied to your similar question in the comments section of my page on Pet Rat Bedding & Litter.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
I just got 3 female rats about a week ago poppy, iris, and aileen. all of them squirm when I pick them up almost every time but there are time where they don’t. whenever I hold aileen she runs straight into my shirt and just sits there and doesn’t want to get out. at first poppy was very curious and running around everywhere but she’s not like that as much anymore. they mostly just like to sleep together in this ball thing I have in their cage. iris is the one who always runs around. I just want to know how to make them actually bond with me? I got them because I needed something to bond with because I know it would make me a happier person.
Hi Kaylee,
Thanks for asking your great question. And congRATulations on your new family members. Poppy, Iris and Aileen are such wonderful names!
First of all, I need to let you know that it really does take time before you’ll feel like you’re bonded with one another. By that I mean it could take at least a month before you feel like you’re really making progress. Another thing you need to know is that girls don’t bond in the same way that boys do. Boys are much more cuddly while girls usually like to keep busy. I feel like you can bond more mentally or intellectually with girls whereas boys can bond with you more physically. There are always exceptions, though. Also, keep in mind that young rats whether they’re boys or girls, will want to run around and play more than they’ll want to cuddle up with you.
As it states in this post, it helps to take your rats out away from their cage into an area of your home that’s unfamiliar to them. Your rats sound friendly enough that you can get them all to be on your shoulder or inside your shirt. The fact that Aileen already likes to go inside your shirt is actually a good thing. That means she feels safe being with you. A good idea for you may be to have them on your shoulder or inside your shirt while you sit on a sofa or in a chair and read or watch a movie (away from their cage). Do this a couple of times a day, maybe morning and evening.
You’ll want to keep in mind that they will eventually need to use the bathroom so you could combine your bonding exercise with litter box training if you’re interested in doing this. (See Litter Box Lessons for You & Your Rats) To combine with litter box training, you could scoop them out from their ball while they’re sleeping one by one. Place each one in their litter box as soon as you scoop them out of the ball. It helps to say aloud something such as “Litter box” each time you place them in the litter box so they associate the word with going to the bathroom and using their litter box.
Then, when you have them out and away from their cage inside your shirt or on your shoulder, you can periodically either take them back to their cage to use their litter box or use paper towels wherever you have them. (The post on litter box training gives these details.) The whole litter box training process will also help with bonding because it’s an activity you share together. Girls especially love learning and usually are pretty easy to litter box train.
Spending time with your girls outside of their cage twice daily will definitely help you bond. Be patient and consistent. For more information, I think you’ll find Bonding with Your Pet Rats in 3 Easy Steps helpful.
I hope at least some of these ideas are beneficial for you and your girls. Don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any additional questions or need any clarification. Feel free to give me an update on how you and your girls are doing.
Best Wishes to You, Poppy, Iris & Aileen,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
I adopted two rats earlier this year, Beethoven and Mozart. Unfortunately, I was unaware that Mozart had chronic respiratory disease as he was not showing any signs for a while after adoption. He was treated with antibiotics and breathing treatments but unfortunately it progressed too far and I recently had to euthanize him. Mozart had almost instantly bonded to me soon after adoption and loved hanging out with me and riding on my shoulder. However, Beethoven was more shy and timid and I got the impression he wasn’t very socialized with his previous owner so I started to work with him and I started to notice a slow difference. But, since losing his brother he seems to have moved backwards with me and seems pretty scared to be out of his cage and wants nothing to do with being handled and I feel so bad for him because I know he must be lonely and I am in the process of trying to find more companions for him but I am not sure what to do in the mean time.
Hi Courtney,
I’m so sorry to hear that Mozart needed to be euthanized. I know how difficult that is. My heart goes out to you and to Beethoven.
First of all, I have to say it’s really okay that Beethoven moved backwards in terms of his socialization with you. It’s fairly normal for him to have a setback after losing his friend. Most likely his setback is temporary and you can help him to gradually feel more comfortable with you.
I would take Beethoven out on your shoulder as frequently as possible. Preferably this should be done at least twice daily, morning and evening. Even if he doesn’t seem to want to be with you, I would get him away from his cage and have him hang out with you. Have him with you on your shoulder while you’re doing routine activities such as washing dishes or folding laundry. It’s especially helpful to have him with you while you’re reading or watching a movie or working on your computer. He may eventually allow you to pet him and he could even end up falling asleep on your lap or inside your shirt.
Do you have his cage in an area near where you spend a lot of time? This really helps him feel more comfortable being around you. If it isn’t possible to keep his cage where you spend a lot of time, take him out in a smaller cage and allow him to be nearby wherever you are as much as possible.
A post that goes over the above ideas (and more) in greater detail is Bonding with Your Pet Rats in 3 Easy Steps. One thing mentioned in my post on bonding that I think is also key for helping you and Beethoven to get closer is to be talking with him a lot. Besides being close to you physically, hearing your voice can become soothing to him. Hearing your soft and encouraging voice will help him learn to trust you. It can really make a big difference.
While you’re trying out all of these ideas, keep in mind that it really does take time. Also, be sure and observe him while you’re trying each idea. Close observation will help you determine what makes him feel the most comfortable. That way you’ll know to focus more on the things that put him most at ease with you. Overall, time, patience and consistency are all important while working on becoming closer with Beethoven.
I hope this is helpful for you. Feel free to ask any other questions any time. Also, don’t hesitate to let me know if you need any clarification on any of the above.
I’d love to hear how Beethoven is doing if you feel like sending an update.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rat,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Heyy, I have 2 female rats (Bubbles and Dahlila) and Bubbles is playful and interactive. However Dahlila is not, she won’t come out of the cage or play or anything Bubbles loves to do. Just wanting some advice on how to get her the way Bubbles is please! I feel bad how she doesn’t feel comfortable with me yet.
Hi, Cynthia!
You mentioned that Dahlila “doesn’t feel comfortable with you yet” so I’m guessing she may be a newer rat. Even if she’s not new, the ideas in Bonding with Your New Pet Rats can help Dahlila become more trusting and engaged. Included in this article are three key ways in which you can aid your rats in becoming more comfortable with you and their environment. Topics covered in this post include cage location, how best to spend and maximize time with your rats, as well as taking your rats out into new environments. All three of these areas will help your rat gain trust in you and her surroundings.
Once Dahlila becomes more comfortable, she’ll be more likely to engage in play. Sometimes it also takes finding the type of activity that’s most appealing to your rat. Here are a few ideas to try:
Playing with Food: A Game for Your Pet Rats
Pet Rat Playground
Making a Room Safe for Your Pet Rats
Did You Know Rats Play Just Like Cats?
If the above ideas don’t help and/or you don’t feel they’re applicable, Dahlila’s reticence could also be due to her…..
…..individual, innate personality – Just as with humans, not all rats require extra stimulation and activity in order to live a satisfying life. However, most girls are very lively and are curious about their surroundings particularly while they’re young.
…..having an illness – Have your rats been examined by a veterinarian who’s experienced with and knowledgeable about pet rats yet? Often times, a rat can be sick without your knowing it. A veterinarian can help catch a disease before it gets out of hand. When treated early on, not only do you save money but your rats have a greater chance of regaining or at least maintaining their health.
…..having a specific fear – To resolve this sort of problem, the source or cause of her fear must first be identified. Then you can work with her to gradually overcome her fear and anxiety.
I don’t want to forget to mention that being around Bubbles is a great learning experience for Dahlila, too. When she sees Bubbles enjoy playing and being petted, then Dahlila is more likely to catch on and want to join in on the fun.
Thank you for asking your great question. It’s wonderful you’re looking into ways to help Dahlila become more comfortable with you and her environment. Whatever tips you decide to try, be sure to practice them with her consistently every day. Twice daily is even better. Over time you’ll notice improvement as long as you stick with it and are patient and compassionate while working with her.
I hope that at least some of these ideas are helpful and that they’ll benefit all three of you. If you need any clarification or additional details, don’t hesitate to let me know.
Best Wishes to You, Dahlila & Bubbles,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hi! i happen to have 2 rats im not positive the age but my sister recently let them stay i my room and i haven´t been able to hold them they both are very stubborn when it comes to being held so i havent really been able to do that i tend to pet them every day and one of the reasons i can´t handle them much is because since i have cats roaming my house and i can´t let them roam in my room due to having a heater that they can get to im really wanting to handle them more but i´m kinda nervous of holding them.
Hi There!
For tips on how to help your rats become more used to being held, you’d probably find it very helpful to read Bonding with Your New Pet Rats in Three Easy Steps. Even if your rats aren’t new, I think you’ll find some useful ideas in this post.
You might also want to read suggestions on how to safely have cats and rats living in the same household: Fishy Roomies: If I have cats can I have rats?.
Also keep in mind that, if your rats are young and especially if they’re females, there’s a good chance they won’t want to be held at all. Males are much more cuddly and affectionate than females. As rats get older they do tend to become more interested in being held and in developing a closer bond with humans.
Regarding the heater in your room, I’m wondering if you have a small bathroom in which your rats can free roam. (Make sure to check underneath cabinets as well as follow other precautions mentioned in the above article.) For other rooms, Making a Room Safe for Your Pet Rats has some great ideas.
I hope these ideas are helpful for you. If you feel I haven’t answered or understood your question fully, or if you need any clarification, don’t hesitate to let me know.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hello again.
I have a concern about one of my rats, Beauregarde, and thought you might be able to give me insight. I know you aren’t a vet, but I just wanted to see if anything like this has happened to you before. Beauregarde’s personality suddenly took a drastic change a day or so ago. He rarely comes out of his hut, and when he does he’s smushed into one corner of his cage. He still takes food from me, but now if I don’t have food in my hand, he’ll bite me. Mostly they’re not hard bites, but some are and if I leave my hand there he’ll bite harder the next time. This is something he never did before. Every once in a while he’d just close his teeth on me, but not to this extent and never this hard. I’ve also noticed that his fur is not as soft, meaning he’s probably not keeping up with his grooming. The only new change is that I’ve slowly started switching out their old, bad food for Harlan Teklad, which I’ve heard is much better for them. I was just hoping to hear from you and see if you think this change could be something I’ve done, or if it sounds like he should see a vet. I’ve taken him to the vet before, and that time I’d been given medicine for a tapeworm. It was only a larva that was found, and I have him the full medication. Like I said, as far as I know you aren’t a vet, but if you have any insight for me, that would be very helpful.
Hi There, Sydney!
That’s too bad that Beauregarde has had such a sudden change in personality. It does sound like he should be examined by a veterinarian. There might be an underlying health condition which has caused him to change his behavior so drastically. The fact that he’s not grooming himself like he used to also points toward a possible health problem.
I highly recommend rats be examined by a veterinarian (one who’s knowledgeable and experienced with pet rats) every 3-6 months regardless of whether or not they have any symptoms. There are so many health problems our rats can get. It’s not always possible for us to notice a health issue, especially when it’s in the beginning stages. A good vet, however, will notice problems early on and can often help resolve the issue before it becomes advanced. By doing so, your rats will live longer, healthier and happier lives and you’ll save money treating any problems before they become severe.
Once you take Beauregarde to the vet, you’ll learn whether or not he has a health problem. If he does have a health condition, your vet will hopefully help him improve. On the other hand, if your vet finds Beauregarde is in good health, then you’ll know it’s a behavioral problem. Your vet may also have some suggestions for you if it does turn out to be a behavioral problem.
A Few Thoughts…
That’s great that you’re switching to the new diet slowly and that you’re looking at anything that’s changed recently that could have caused the new behavior. I wonder if Beauregarde’s fur is less soft due to the diet change?
Could he be biting you because he feels cornered? You wrote that, when he comes out of his hut, he goes to the corner of the cage. Do you approach him with your hand while he’s in the corner? Or does he ever come forward on his own?
As you’re aware, it sure doesn’t sound good that he barely ever comes out of his hut. Anytime I’ve had a rat switch to anti-social behavior, it was due to a health problem. That or sometimes my rats have gotten spooked by a scent such as my cats and became afraid to come out and play. That behavior usually lasted only a day and hasn’t happened in awhile since I’m better at acclimating my rats to having cats in our house.
If you’d like to let me know, I’d love hear about what your vet says after examining Beauregarde. I hope he’s okay!
Sending positive wishes to you, Beauregarde & Basel,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hello! I was wondering if you could give me an idea on how to break my rat’s fear of being held. He’s a bit of a different case, however. His name is Basel and he once was a lab rat at my school. My roommate told me her professor was willing to give him to me afterwards. I don’t know exactly what happened during the experiment, but I do know he was given no loving contact, and that every time he was picked up he was given a shot of saline. I received him when he was still young, about 5 months old. No matter what I do, I can’t seem to get him used to being held. When I first got him, I held him every day while offering him treats before, during, and after. I did this for a couple of months, yet he still squirms and chatters nervously when I try to pick him up. I’m worried he may be permanently scarred from the experiment. Do you have any advice on how to break his fear?
Hi Sydney,
How sad that Basel was subjected to such cruelty. Not receiving any loving contact and given a shot of saline each time he was picked up are situations that are difficult to overcome.
On the other hand, I’m glad you were able to adopt him when he was still fairly young.
My best suggestion would be to spend as much time with him as you possibly can so he can learn that you are not going to hurt him. Keep him with you on your shoulder or inside your shirt, especially while you’re at home. This will help him learn you’re a “safe place” and that you’re not going to hurt him.
After he gets used to being with you on a daily basis, I’d try some of the techniques mentioned in this post. Sitting with him in a bathroom and allowing him to explore (if and when he wants to) will help boost his confidence.
Keep in mind it can take several months (or even longer) for Basel to begin to understand he has a loving home. Patience is definitely called for in this type of a situation.
I also strongly believe Basel can benefit from your adopting another rat to be his companion. If you can find a second rat—one who’s very well socialized with both other rats and with humans—Basel can learn the benefits and joys of companionship from both rats and humans.
Don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions about pet rats. I am here to help at any time!
Best Wishes to You and Basel,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Thank you for your advice. I have had Basel for at least six or more months, so he is very comfortable with me. I am a college student, so I don’t have as much time as I’d like to spend with him, but I do think he’s comfortable with me. I especially notice when I didn’t get to spend much time with him the day before, he’ll chitter when I pet him. I’m assuming this means he’s happy rather than nervous, because he doesn’t get twitchy or finicky; however, the moment I go to pick him up he gets incredibly nervous. I’ve tried, and always failed, to get him on my shoulder.
I also already got him a friend, yet this new little guy (Beauregarde) is even more skittish than Basel is. Should I wait until I can get Beau used to me before introducing him to Basel? I’m having issues with that, as well. Beau is incredibly anxious with his surroundings. I’m currently sitting on my bathroom floor hoping he’ll come out to explore, but he’s been frozen to the same spot not moving in his cage. He also is not taking treats from me right now, which he did before, although cautiously.
Hi Sydney,
Being a college student can actually help you have more time with your rats…..you can have them with you while you’re studying.
When you say, “chitter”, I wonder if you’re referring to bruxing. Rats make a wonderful sound by grinding their teeth together that’s called bruxing. They usually do this when they’re happy but sometimes will brux when nervous or not feeling well. Below is a video I made of one of my rats bruxing. She even boggles a bit at the end of the video. (“Boggling” is when their eyes pop in and out—-This is an expression of happiness and doesn’t occur when they’re stressed.)
From what you wrote, it sounds like you are able to pick him up but that he just doesn’t like it. If you are able to pick him up, gently take him out of his cage and into an area completely away from his cage. This is very important so that he associates YOU (rather than his cage) with safety. In the beginning, spend brief amounts of time (around 10-15 minutes) with him away from his cage. Give him his favorite treat and/or pet him and talk softly and encouragingly to him while you have him out with you.
If you’re not able to pick him up, here are some steps for helping him learn to trust you
Regarding Beauregarde, you don’t necessarily need to wait until he gets used to you before starting introductions. It is important, however, to quarantine any new rat(s). I’m not sure if it’s too late for Beau, but it’s a good idea to keep any new rat(s) in a completely separate area of your house and to wash your hands and even change your clothes after being with your new rat(s) and before visiting with your existing rats. Keeping them completely separate for three weeks allows any diseases or parasites enough time to become evident. Quarantining helps minimize the risk of your original rat(s) contracting anything from the new rat(s).
That’s great you took Beau’s cage into your bathroom to see if he’d come out to explore. It can take several weeks before a rat is comfortable exploring a new environment. It’s very important to work with him on a daily basis to allow him to get used to being out in a new environment.
You can try sitting with him on the bathroom floor while he’s in the cage for 3-4 more days, just letting him get used to being in the new environment. After that, take him out of his cage before bringing him into the bathroom and just sit on the floor with him. He can hang out inside your shirt or on your shoulder. Don’t expect him to want to explore at all in the beginning. He just needs to learn that he’s safe with you. The only way for him to learn this is to have him with you in the bathroom (or any new environment) each day until he learns that nothing bad is going to happen to him.
If you’d like, I’ll be glad to Skype with you and see exactly how it’s going with Basel and Beau. To do so, feel free to contact me using the contact form on my website.
Good luck with Basel and Beau. It really is a matter of baby steps repeated on a daily basis, preferably twice daily at minimum. Don’t hesitate to let me know if I can help further.
Best Wishes to You, Basel & Beau,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
My boy, Basil, doesn’t have too much interest in exploring. Whether the space is familiar or new, he prefers to crawl into the arm or leg of my clothes and just sit there, bruxing to himself.
I can pick him up, but he freaks out. He’ll sit on my shoulder calmly, and he’ll crawl all over me fairly happily. He’s only just started taking treats directly from me, and he’ll only eat liquidy foods (soy custard, soy yoghurt, pureed spinach, baby food, etc) by licking it off my finger. If there’s anything soft in with his ‘hard food’ he freaks out and gets really scared. While I don’t mind his obsession with licking me, I just don’t like seeing him so nervous.
I’m thinking a lot of it could be because his eyesight is terrible (the way he takes a treat makes it obvious that he can’t see it properly) so how can I encourage him to be curious when he’s scared of it?
First of all I want to congratulate you on the progress you’ve already made! That’s wonderful Basil has started taking treats from you. It’s also actually fantastic he’s licking liquid foods from your fingers. So many people with shy and fearful rats can’t allow their rats to do this or, if they do, they risk getting bitten. Another positive thing you have going on is that he likes crawling into the arm or leg of your clothes and bruxes. Sounds like you’re really beginning to bond with one another.
When you pick him up and he “freaks out”, are you picking him up while he’s inside or outside of his cage? If he’s inside the cage, you can try taking him out of his cage while he’s in a small box. To help him get used to being picked up while inside the cage, you can also just pet him while he’s inside. This shows him he won’t always be picked up when you reach your hand inside. You can also coax him out of his cage and onto your shoulder by holding out and showing him a treat he can’t get to until he’s on your shoulder.
You mentioned a lot of his shyness could be due to his eyesight not being good. Does he have pink or red eyes? If so, that would definitely contribute to his being extra wary and even nervous. If his eyesight is bad, it’s especially important to continually talk with him in a soft friendly voice when you’re with him. This will give him some of the reassurance he’s not able to get visually.
Here is how to get him used to taking a non-liquid treat from your fingers:
Choose a food such as avocado that’s very soft, as close to liquid as you can get.
1. At first just smear a little avocado on your finger and allow Basil to lick it off. This will help get him acquainted with how delicious avocados are.
2. With clean fingers (nothing smeared on them), offer him a small cube of avocado – he won’t be able to resist it and will be forced to take it out of your hand to eat it. Even if he starts to lick it, it will come off your finger and he’ll be holding it in his mouth.
If he’s super shy, sometimes you have to take it a little slower. You can repeat step one over the course of a few days, offering him avocado to lick off your fingers once or twice a day. On the third or fourth day, give him the cube of avocado.
You can also do this with peanut butter – smear on your fingers and then later on some bread. A word of caution: Don’t ever give your rats too much peanut butter at once since they can very easily choke on peanut butter. Even when you smear peanut butter onto the piece of bread, use the smallest possible amount of peanut butter. A tiny piece of cracker with peanut butter would work even better than bread.
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To get Basil used to exploring without clinging to you:
1. Start by sitting on the floor (in a rat-proofed room) with him inside your shirt or on your shoulder.
2. After about 15 minutes, gently take him out of your shirt (or off your shoulder) and place him on the floor right next to you, close to where you’re sitting. It’s highly likely he’ll run right back inside your shirt or onto your shoulder.
3. Repeat placing him on the floor next to you every 10 minutes or so and don’t be discouraged if he keeps running back to you immediately. This is normal.
Do this every day until it seems like he’s getting used to it. Then gradually start placing him farther and farther away from you when you set him down on the floor.
Feed his favorite treats to him while performing this exercise. At first you can allow him to eat the treats while he’s on your body. After a couple of days of placing him on the floor next to you, put a dish on the floor smeared with some of the liquid food he likes. That way he’ll have to lick the food off the dish instead of bringing it back to eat it while he’s on your body. (Let’s use his love of licking liquid foods to everyone’s advantage!)
While doing both exercises above, always praise Basil letting him know he’s doing a good job. A little praise really does go a long way—rats love hearing that you like what they’re doing. They love it so much they’ll start doing things they know you like and then look at you to see if you’ll praise them.
Let me know if you have more questions and feel free to post an update! You’re already on the right track with what you wrote about how far Basil has already come. It’s now mostly a matter of daily practice, praise and patience.
Best Wishes to You and Basil,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats