Ive never really thought of having a rat, and the thought of touching one used to scare the crap outta me, But my current boyfriend has a rat named Jae and she is such a cuttie. I love her to death. So for my boyfriends birthday i bought him another rat, this one is a boy named splinter. Jae is so social and sweet. But splinter he is one of the most antisocial rats ive ever met. We only have the 2 and they are in separate cages. He bites and is scared all the time. We take him out and he just sits there. Can anyone give us advise?
I'm no rat specialist or anything but I believe female rats, in general, are typically more social...or at least that's what I've been told. I suppose keeping interaction with the rat is the only way he may turn around. Another thing you may try is to get him another male friend, because rats are really social animals and they enjoy other rats, for the most part.
I work with rat and the only ones we have are male. You have to play with them often. Like all the time. Hold them all the time it will get better. How old is he and was he held a lot before you got him? That makes a big difference. He will become more friendly but it will take a little while. Just be patient. It really hurts when rats bite. I have been bitten a few times.
Well we got him from pet land, so probably not, he is umm i think acouple months old and i dont know, im just kinda nevous he will bite me
Keep in mind, he has been caged up since being born and probably handled and cared for in less than loving ways (before you bought him). The more you handle him, show him love he will come around! He's probably just very scared and trying to adjust currently. Good Luck!
We have a guinea pig that was rescued from a poor situation. He'd been tortured by a 2 year old that didn't know better, kept in a too-small home & not fed the right foods. He's not a rat, but he is a rodent too. Poor Oreo, our misunderstood tortured soul. We all love him to bits, but he's a tough piggie to get to know. He cannot live in the cage with our other pig - every time we put them together, he feels as if he must defend his territory and attacks. So we separated our giant cage so he can see that he's not the only piggie in the world & talk to his friend, but both boys stay safe. We have had Oreo for 1 1/2 years now, and he is FINALLY letting us pick him up without trying to bite us, not running away when we reach in to pet him or give him veggies, and calling out to us when he hears us or wants something. Time helps. And he will gentle down in HIS time... which can seem to take forever. Handle your new rat often, and gently. If he bites you, handle him JUST a few minutes more so he doesn't associate biting with freedom, but then let him go. If he acts afraid, move slower around him but keep talking to him. And try to set up a routine, where you're handling him at the same time every day. Consistency helps a lot with little furfriends. Good luck love, mom
Just handle him as often as you can. Also rats are more comfortable in the dark. This is hard for us but if you get a red light bulb so that the room where you play with his is lit in red that will work bell for me. Rats perceive red as darkness so they are much more comfortable in that environment. Once you can handle him regularly in that he will be fine any where else. Rat bites hurt no doubt but you will live just make sure he has a lot to chew on so his teeth stay healthy and short, because if you have a rat at some point you will get bitten.
yeah, i have a biter and it hurts a lot! he bit right through my nail once, it bled everywhere... hes an adult who was never socialized though, i kinda doubt youll have to much problem socializing yours. its good that hes young, i think you can make him friendly, all you have to do is spend lots of time with him. try to get him to take food from your hand, or at first, from close to it. the best way to hold a sketchy rat is in a small soft towel or piece of fleece, he wont bite the towel and he will feel safer and less exposed. from there, you can carefully touch and stroke him and comfort him. if you do this for short periods everyday, it wont be long before hes friendly and cuddly.
another good way to hold a rat so that it wont bite is around it's chest behind its front legs. They feel secure and it doesn't hurt them and they can't bite you.
