Calming a new rat?

[tweets_4611]

I've been asking alot of questions about rats lately, and apperently I'm going to be asking alot more I made a post about the females that Kasi and I picked up a week or so ago. I ended up getting one girl from PetCo *bah* and Kasi picked one up from a pet place in OKC where she gets her feeders when she's at home. The girl that Kasi picked up is doing fine. She was shy the first couple of days, but has started coming out and playing on the wheel and whatnot (both girls had while I was in Daytona to settle in with out anyone messing with them much).

Problem is, the little girl (she's a bit smaller than the girl Kasi got) I got from PetCo doesn't seem to be settleing in very well. The only time I ever see her out of the hide thing is to get food or water. I have been getting them out for short times when I can, but I don't know what else to do to help her calm down. Kasi's girl (I really need to name them haha) has taken a treat out of my hand once, even though she won't do it any more, but the poor smaller girl just completely freezes anytime I go over there. If she does move, she squeeks then runs to the other hide =/ I feel bad scaring her, but I'm not real sure what to do about her???

[rabernet]

Start taking her out and handling her. Spend about 30 minutes or so in the evening (or even shorter) and just love on her, talk calmly to her and gently pet her and keep her out of trouble.


She'll start to trust you and look forward to these little visits!

[tweets_4611]

I took her out for a while tonight, and held her until she quit panicing. After a bit she sat still and quit breathing so hard, so I just held her and pet her for a bit more. When I went to put her back she kinda freaked though. =/ The bigger girl was NOT happy that I took her buddy out. The whole time I had the little girl out she was running around the cage squeeking.... I tried to get her out for a bit too, but she was really freaking so I had to just put her back. I need to clean my room better before I risk one of them getting away from me!

[frankykeno]

Sometimes they just take awhile hon. If they haven't been socialized pretty much from birth they are a bit ansty. One place you can safely let them roam and get to know you is your bathroom. Make sure there's nowhere for them to dash into and if it's safe, just grab a book, some yummo rat treats and plunk yourself right down on the floor. As they scurry about, keep handing our small treats and making little "come here" noises to them (I use a "kissy" sound). Every once in awhile scoop one up, set it on your lap and gently pat/scratch it.

They'll get great exercise and eventually will come to realize you are their "safe spot" and will race around then back to you, then off again. I'd take them both in there with you (post a note on the door that rats are loose in there) and see how it goes over. It'll likely take a few times but rats generally bond very well with their owners, especially if they see you as the Great Goddess of the Goodie Bowl.

[ADEE]

i second what everyone else said.. my two girls i "saved" from the "kill house" as i say, they were bred as feeders but the guy had some nicer looking feeder rats (the babys in my avatar, dolly (mean girl) is the right baby), i picked out two and both of the girls were very shy, would bite if you reached for them and actually picked on the other girls when they moved in together. we actually nick named dolly, mean girl because of it. long story short shes been with us for over 3wks (maybe even a month already) and holding her when the house was most quiet (once kids went to bed) with the lights dim everyday for several minutes made all the difference in the world. we give her lots of cereal treats (so she doesnt get as fat) talk to her and hold her very close to us... shes finally now using the litter boxes, calm for treats, loves being held and isnt being mean anymore, to us or the other rats. we were to the point of almost giving up on her and now im glad we didnt. im sure your new rat is just scared and uncertain. i joke and say there is like a grandfather/mother rat in the enclosure scaring all the babys telling them they are goign to die when they leave because that is sure how they act! remember they are prey animals and its their instinct to be scared and flighty, there are flight or fight animals and they are most certainly flight animals. take the time with the little one, they will come around. if mean girl can do it yours can! jo suggested (i think it was her) picking something to do when you go up to the cage (i say hi girls in a higher pitched happy voice) when i walk by or am planning on taking them out so its not a strange hand reaching into their cage unknowingly to them.. just a couple suggestions, keep us posted!

[littleindiangirl]

I second Jo and the feeding by hand. Everywhere I read [even those crazy forums ] say that feeding by hand is the best way to get them to trust you. My chocolate girl is super shy, but I give her time to come to me, and she now runs to the edge of the tub waiting for food and a scratch.

[SatanicIntention]

I prefer to not give them any hiding places, except for a hammock, and keep them in a place I frequent often, such as the kitchen or bathroom. They get to sit on my lap for about 15-20 minutes a couple times a day, and then I just start sticking them in my shirt. Gets them used to you quickly and they realize you're not going to hurt them. Plus it's warm and dark, so they feel comfortable.

For the first few weeks to a month, I keep them alone, so they get used to me and only me. They get attached very quickly and when introduced with other ratties, they won't regress to being fearful.

[frankykeno]

and then I just start sticking them in my shirt.

Becky, Becky, Becky...how many times must I explain to you dear that we'll never get you married off properly if you keep rats in your bra! LOL