You've started well. For the next two or three days I would suggest not doing much more than you are doing. Any time you go near the cage pause and talk softly to them. Give them a couple treats, but don't be surprised if they don't take them from your hand yet. Still, put your hand in, if only to get them used to it. Don't move quickly and don't try to grab the ratties.
Please do -=not=- take them out of the cage until they are much more relaxed! I would say not for a couple weeks, until they know you and come to you willingly and confidently.
After those 2 or 3 days, try to be more interactive. Put a treat in your hand and just sit with your hand gently cupped in the cage with a treat on it. Let them come to you. At first just let them grab the treat and run (make sure you have two treats so they each get one, if one wont come to you yet, then set her treat near her). When they are taking treats from your hand and not rushing off, start to gently touch them.
The key is to go very slow. Much better to go slow and make constant progress than to go too fast and scare them so you end up right back at the beginning again.
Rats are very curious and very clever. If you keep it slow, gentle and friendly, they will come around.
On a side note, when you do feel confident enough to take them out of the cage, please make sure you really check the area for any hidey spots. We had a youngster escape during a photo shoot in the kitchen and it took us three hours to coerce the little minx out from there (the cats were 'helping')! It is a much more difficult task than one might think :)
With a smile,
DreamQuestin/DebJust bought 2 rats trying to get to know them any suggestions they seem very nervous?
It Takes Time For Any Pet To Get Use To Surroundings..
This Little Girl Rat Isnt Being Rude - Shes Making A Home.
Shes Not Being Rude Or Anything Shes Making Her New Home Feel Like A Home.
As They Say Home Sweet Home !
Paige =)
I used to have a rat, he was the most affectionate animal I've ever had. but he was nervous when I first got him. its time and showing a lot of love and they'll soon show you the same back.
I hope you have as much enjoyment as I did :-)
They will be nervous for a while. Just leave them alone for the first 24 hours ( you can watch them) and then be very gentle and calm NEVER surprise a rat, they have very sharp teeth if you haven't discovered already :-D don't worry in time they'll be your best friends
Just let the rats settle into their new home for a few days, generally two days will do, let them explore the cage and know where things are and then begin introduce to you and their other surroundings.
Try with tip bits, and stroking them, let them explore you, give them special rat treats, rats are very intelligent and over time they will become much more friendlier!
good luck and take carex
hi we have rats to the best thing too do is what you are doing for a couple of days then slowly get them out of their cage put them on your shoulder as this will be ok we can walk around with ours there are they male or female is sounds like they are female as they are playing with their bedding
You just need to leave them to settle in. After a day or two, when they seem settled, handle them lots, try and train them to eat from your hand as they will then learn not to bite. They may pee on you at first but if you handle them enough, they will become toilet trained.
They will be nervous , be patient they will come out of their shell eventually, you are doing the right thing, put your hand in there a few times and let them sniff you dont smooth them let them gain their trust with you. Give them a treat too, food always works lol!
Soon theyll climb onto your hand, it takes time but believe me its worth it in the end!! once tame theyll be fab pets :)
Rats are amazing pets... i have 2,
I notice rats are more skittish when someone inexperienced holds them. I think the more confident you are with them the less they run around. Cause mine sits still with me but i had my friend hold it the other day and she was a bit unsure on how to handle them and it was running around everywhere.
they like it when you rub behind their ears :-)
and give them loads of fun food... only no-nos are strong things like onion or spicy things... or really salty things. they eat almost anything :-)
food could be a good way of getting them out the cage... something that smells really nice.
if you still have trouble getting them out the cage i would suggest just not giving them anywhere to hide for a few weeks while they get used to you. obviosuly a pile of bedding but just nowhere they can get into where you cant get them.
Then just grab them out :-) if you dont tame them pretty quicky it will get more difficult.
Take them out of the cage and give them specific a lone time with you. Play with them, hold them, rub there backs very carefully. They will get used to you, by nature they are skiddish animals.
try sitting in the bath tub with them they can't get away and then they will be free to roam around you on you etc.. this will give them and you a chance to get familiar without the restrictions and confinement of your hands.
If you bought your rats from a pet store they were probably not socialized very well and are extra nervous around humans. For the first 3 days I would recommend placing them in a ';low traffic area'; so in a bedroom where theirs not much movement or other pets. It will most likely take 1-2 weeks for your rats to get comfortable around you.
I would recommend taking them out once a day for about 30 mins to an hour in one specific spot each time. I use to take my rats when I first got them out on my bed with a blanket to hide under. After about a week they were comfortable running around on my bed exploring but were still scared of the rest of my room. Another suggestion is petting them and letting them hide in your clothing where its warm, dark and safe.
Last but not least, treats treats treats! Not too many of course but my rats still go crazy over yogurt drops. Don't give it to them through the bars because this might cause them to accidental nip your fingers. Give them the treats in the palm of your hand like you would a horse.
Give them time to get use to you. The big change is as stress full on them as it is on you.
Alli and the *Rat pack*
take them down the pub for a beer
No comments:
Post a Comment