I had the same problem when I first got my ball. Everything I fed him was just nasty. I thought it was the company I was getting my f/t from but that wasnt it. Now, I set the rat on top of his viv and let it thaw there. It works a lot better that way. It takes about 2 hours for it to thaw and he will start to smell it after about an hour so he will be ready for it. Once it is thawed, dip it in hot water just before giving it to him. He has eaten every single time doing it this way. much easier.