How long to "tame" a rat?

I just picked up a male and female rat last week, and to make things easier on them and not stress out, how long till your rats trust you to pick them up with out having to grab them by the tails?

are you planning on breeding them. If so its best not to tame them to be pets. I keep pets separate from breeders as well pets dont breed as well.


to help with taming, you need to play with them IN their cage to let them get used to your smell. Slowly pet them and when they run away let them. DO this for a while till they start to climb on your hand and arm. Soon enough they begin to allow you to pick them up, do this IN the cage as well.

Depends on how tight the snake wraps it.

Well, you'll need a tiny little whip and a tiny little chair, it also helps if your're wearing a top hat, or spandex. (one or the other, but not both)

Actually, if you handle them a little bit every day, it shouldn't take long.

Handle them every day for short periods of time. Let them smell you. Do not make sudden movements and when they want to get away from you, let them. It will take time when you get them as adults. Taming younger rats (just weaned) is a lot easier. But again, with adults, just give them plenty of time and take it easy.

I treat my breeders as pets. Of course, some of them I cannot pick up and handle like a tame rat. I have to pick them up by their tails. Others I can reach right in and pick them up with no problems.

patience grasshopper , patience ...do as others before had said and you will find the glory of "rattus norvegicus".:rat:

I start taming the ones that I am keeping as pets as soon as they open their eyes. I pick them up and hold them for about 15 or 20 minutes a few times a day. I usually give them treats while I am holding them to make sure they realize that I am their buddy.