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Anonymous
Hello /an/, I was wondering if anybody could help me out with a little problem.

I bought two rats yesterday, and I'm pretty sure they hate me.

They just hide in that little conner in the picture all day, and only come out for food/water when I'm not around, and if anybody even walks by the cage they run back to their spot.

I kinda got one to start to like me, but then I dropped the water bottle and it made a huge noise and scared the shit out of it, so it's back to him hating me.

Is there anything I'm doing wrong? I try to hand feed them, but anything it try to feed them by hand(Like cheese or bananas or crackers ect ect) They just take it and walk 3 inches, drop it and go back to their conner, and dont eat it when I'm away.

It's starting to irritate me how much they distrust me.. Does it just take a long time for them to gain my trust, or what?

~Anon
>> Anonymous
>>266652
I forgot to add that sometimes they attempt to bite me when I hold my hand out for them to sniff. They'll approach me, I don't move towards them, and sniff me for like 3 seconds, then gnaw on my fingertips.
>> Anonymous
>>266652
>>yesterday

Jesus Christ, have some patience. They're in a new place with new smells, of course they're not going to immediately be calm and friendly. Give them time to adjust. Don't try to handle them for a few days, at least.
>> Anonymous
>>266657
:x

I was talking to my friend and he said his rats were fine on the first day, and crap like that, I'm new to this, so I was wondering if they were just abnormal, meh.
>> Anonymous
Rats have VERY different personalities. I've had several rats. One was super friendly the first day, the other one took a couple days, another took a week to open up to me, and the others were any where in between. They are just scared.

It is typically advised to put them in their cage, and leave them alone for at LEAST 24 hours, 48 is better. This gives them time to get used to their new environment. When you start to try to interact with them right away, they not only have to get used to their new, very strange and scary environment, but a new giant monster that is possibly a predator.

You have to have patience with them, or they will never open up to you. Do not try to pick them up the first couple days. Put your hand in the cage and let them sniff at it. But I wouldn't even try to pat them until at least a day or so later, and work slowly from their. Rats are easily frightened.

As for the gnawing, how hard are they biting? Are they actually biting, or are they just sort of scraping their teeth against you?
>> Anonymous
>>266659
Also, your rats are being normal. It is your friends rats that were acting abnormal.
>> Anonymous
I keep forgetting things lol... As for eating. Rats are VERY cautious about what they eat because they cannot vomit. So they will take tiny nibbles of foods they are just introduced to. If it bothers their stomach, then they will not eat it again. The more rats get to know you, and the more they trust you, the less they will be cautious with their food, until eventually they will just eat what you give them.
>> Anonymous
throw them into a pond tied to a rock, and then swim out and save them. they will fear and respect you once they know that you have power over life and death.
>> Anonymous
>>266739
This is GAR, but it won't work.
>> Anonymous
>>266721
I shed blood, slightly.
>> Anonymous
Give em a little time, then lots of little treats by hand so they start associating you with food and happiness. Google for what's OK for rats to eat (hint: almost everything that's good for people in moderation, but a few surprising exceptions, check before giving. My favorite bonding treat is peas, they're small and healthy and rats love them).

Give them a few weeks. They're cautious animals but very sweet and friendly once they get used to you. If they don't change much within a month, google forced socialization.

As for the nibbling, it's odd that they drew blood unless they aren't used to fingers and thought they were food. A rat bite out of fear is nasty and painful, and they'd only do that if you went for them, not the other way around.

It sounds like your boys or girls weren't socialized well, which is sad. Too many pet stores don't give their rats enough attention.
>> Anonymous
>>266741
They are biting because they are terrified. I've never met a rat that bit. Give them more time. With their level of fear, you might want to leave them along for 3 or 4 days. Giving them food and water, but not trying to interact with them.
>> Anonymous
yeah, it takes a while for rodents to get used to living in a home, pretty soon they will begin to recognize you and want to come out to meet you, just be patient.
>> Anonymous
http://www.pet-net.net/small-pets/pet-rats/
http://www.geocities.com/starrliz13/newrat.html
>> Anonymous
>>266655
Do not offer them fingertips. Just like with a dog, when you offer them your hand, do it palm down with your fingers curled, so they can sniff the back of your hand.
>> Anonymous
They're just scared. Give them at least a few days to settle in, and then you can offer them treats and hold them, etc. Go sit with them somewhere for a while every day, let them run around on you. When they get used to you, they will be fine. Male rats tend to be very sweet and cuddly, and all the ones I've had have been very attached to me... but it doesn't happen right away.
>> Anonymous
Another thing you might want to try, is after leaving them along for a day or two, sit in the room and talk to them. Do not try to touch them, just talk to them. This helps get them used to you. Rats have very good hearing, so they will listen, and learn your voice. And this will help them learn to trust you.
>> Anonymous
I feel for you, OP.

Recently I adopted two adult rats that were being used as breeders by a friend of the family, who bred rats for pets -- they were being neglected, and she gave their whole setup to me and kept the male rats.

One of them is -still- incredibly shy and lashes out toward both me and her cagemate. The other went the opposite direction and is very cuddly.

Did I neglect to mention I've had them for three MONTHS and I still get bitten and squeaked at by the aggressive one? And I've given them treats, fresh fruit, and bits of cracker and raisins like crazy.

It takes time and patience. <3
>> Anonymous
Being quiet and shy around your new rats is one of the worst things to do. Go about your daily routine so they get used to the noise. Talk to them in a normal voice.

It's normal for rats not to eat their food around people because they're nervous and/or too excited.

Don't feed them through the cage bars, because of their bad eye sight they will start nipping when you put your fingers against the cage.

They are obviously more bonded to eachother than people, so take them both out at once in a safe room.

When you take them out, put them on your shoulder, hold them against your chest, or sit indian-style and set them on your lap. When they are away from the cage, they will start to see you as the safe zone.
>> Anonymous
Do NOT try to carry them around on your shoulder within the first couple days. That is just going to terrify them even more. Give them at LEAST a week or two before that.
>> Anonymous
>>267376
I agree with this Anon. Trying to carry the rat on your shoulder before you have established a good, trusting relationship with it is foolish. It will only make it fear you. Right now, you are a giant monster to it, probably a predator. You know who brings rats into high places? Birds do. And then they eat them. When the rats come to you of their own accord, then, and only then should you put it on your shoulder. And once it is on your shoulder, do not walk around. I suggest sitting on the floor, feeding him bits of goodies while he is up there to get him accustomed to it. Then, after a while you can try moving around with him.
>> Anonymous
I've heard this works with hamsters so I don't see why it wouldn't work with rats. Take both rats into the bath tub (no water) so it's just you and the rats in the bathtub. This way they have the liberty to run freely but only all over you. This gives the advantage of them becoming used to you and your smell without feeling restrained by you (I think this would mostly be beneficial in nervous rats).
>> Anonymous
>>267586
I've done something similar. But instead of the bathtub, I laid out on the bathroom floor. Let them crawl over me and stuff. Did that 5 days after I got them.
>> Anonymous
>>267668
This is probably a better idea, since Rats can jump out of the bath tub. Especially with something it can climb on to help it do so.
>> Anonymous
>>266652
Did you even DO research before buying them? Oh my god... Give them some fucking time. How would you feel if you were taken out of your home by a gigantic scary thing, and dropped in a strange new place that smelled funny, and was completely strange? I bet you would be scared shitless. Same for the rats. They need some time to get used to their cage before they even attempt to get used to you. Let them stop being scared of their cage before you try to befriend them.
>> Anonymous
>>267905
Dude, chill the fuck out. Their just rats.
>> Anonymous
>>267985
They are not JUST rats. They are incredible pets if given the chance and some love.
>> Anonymous
>>268004

I could say the same about any number of shitty animals someone on /an/ ends up buying.

It's just a rat. It's going to die of a tumour after 4 years or so. don't get your knickers in a knot.
>> Anonymous
>>267985
>>268022
Internet tough guy.
>> Anonymous
they need to get used to your smell. take a big, fat shit in their cage and leave it there. i'm sure that will make them love you.
>> Anonymous
>>268004
Dogs and cats are incredible pets if given the chance and some love.

If you didn't have the cage, how great would that rat be as a pet in your house?

I can understand thinking rats are unusual or interesting as observable specimens, but come on.
>> Anonymous
>>268104
Actually, before I had a dog, I used to let my rats run around the apartment all the time. A good time was had by all. Some people don't even bother to shut the cage door... the rats come and go as they please.

"Observable specimens"? They don't do anything except eat and sleep when they're stuck in a cage all day. What would you be observing?
>> Anonymous
>>268104
Rats are not an "observable" pet. They are not fish, or frogs. You are SUPPOSED to handle and play with them. Rats are incredibly affectionate. Not every one likes dogs or cats. Some people are allergic to them! Imagine that. Refraining from getting a per because you are allergic. Yes Anon, some people are smart enough for that.

Rats love to play and interact with people. Mine play fetch, we play hide and seek, they bring me 'gifts' (which are just small bits of what ever they can find and put in my lap. A sock, or dragging a toilet paper roll out of their cage, food, a toy, a broken toy for me to replace lol).

Rats just need a little more time to get used to their surroundings than a dog or cat does. Heck, some times new dogs and cats are even terrified when brought to a new home and hide under beds, or in closets. Rats are not "observable specimens" they are pets, just like a dog or cat. Fish are observable specimens, Frogs are observable specimens, Salamanders are observable specimens, most lizards are observable specimens, snakes are observable specimens. But rats are loving pets. Obedient. Smart. Affectionate. Social animals.

My rats spend a great deal of time out of their cage. They have an entire room, and I usually leave their cage door open! They are litter trained, and will return go to their litter box to go to the bathroom, all 6 of them. Maybe once a month I will find a poop that isn't in the box. Some times I will leave their room door open, and they will wander around the house, though usually they follow me around into what ever room I am in. Rats are as equal a pet as any dog or cat.

Observable specimens are not meant to be touched, or played with, or befriended, they do not show affection or crave it. Rats do.
>> Anonymous
Same anon as>>268176

Responding to,
>>268022
The life span of a pet has nothing to do with the quality of the pet. Irish Wolfhounds live on average 6 years. But they are still wonderful dogs. Meanwhile some fish can life over 20 years and suck as pets.
>> Anonymous
>>268104
Rats are amazing pets. Just because you never had one, or if you did, apparently didnt care for them very well, doesn't mean they are not just as good pets as a dog or cat.
>> Anonymous
Hey OP, how are things going with your rats today?
>> Anonymous
>>268328
One of them were pregnant and I didn't know about it until yesterday, when she suddenly expanded to the size of a tennis ball, gave birth to ten babies.

Their still anti social, but I'm leaving them alone, only thing I do is change their water/food/bedding, say a few words to them in the process, and let them sniff me. Especially with the new babies around, I don't think I'll be socializing with them much at all for the next couple of weeks.
>> Anonymous
>>268388
The fact that she was pregnant is probably why they were biting. Keep letting them sniff your hand and offering them food, but yeah, for at least 2 weeks I wouldn't try to do any thing more than that. In that time, they may very well open up to you on their own. The talking is such a good thing to do, it helps a lot since rats rely a lot on hearing. I would suggest putting some sort of box in their if they do not have a hide-a-den type of thing. A Pepsi box or something. Another thing you could do is cut a hole in the side of a cleaned milk jug and use a lighter to heat the edges so they are not sharp. With either the bog or jug, just toss some bedding in their, and maybe some torn up tissue paper. Having a place to hide the kittens (baby rats are called kittens) will help her feel calmer and safer.
>> Anonymous
>>268388
Also... Pics?!
>> Anonymous
>>268388
Where do you live? I would love to take some of the buggers off your hands when their weened.
>> Anonymous
>>268388
Cute! Take some pictures!
>> Anonymous
what>>268514said.

i have had several rats give birth and only one of them was very laid back about it. most of the time, a female rat will become very aggressive and defensive when she has a litter. try to avoid contact as much as you possibly can with the exception of feeding and cleaning the cage for the first couple of weeks. after the babies have grown up she probably won't be prone to biting.
>> Anonymous
Another thing, is do not change their cage for another week or two.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
here are the babies
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
my pet rat had full run of my attic bedroom, 24/7 (after i trained him not to jump on me while i was sleeping).
they are incredibly affectionate pets.

i would love to get more, but i'm allergic :(
they make me itch, and leave welts if they scratch me.

OP's rat looks a lot like mine...
>> Anonymous
Where are you located, OP?
>> Anonymous
>>268873
Such adorably ugly little things!
>> Anonymous
>>268901
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
>> Anonymous
take their food. leave them hungry for 6-8 hours. and try to feed em with you hand.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>269002
Did someone say adorably ugly?
>> Anonymous
They're just shy, and adjusting to new surroundings. Give them a few days, then offer something tasty from your hand. Handfeeding, and feeding in general, is usually the way that one breaks the ice so to say.
>> Anonymous
Getting any better OP?
>> Anonymous
>>269305
What is it?
>> Anonymous
>>270146
A sleeping cat, judging by the fur some sort of rex