File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Listen up, /an/

I stopped by my local pet supply to get some dog food, and while I was in the store, I looked at their big tank of 60 cent feeder rats. They were all very cute, but I resisted the temptation of buying one, until this little brown one with a white belly came up to the glass and began to lick it.
Needless to say I was smitten, and I figured one more rat to my trio of rats wouldn't make a difference. Anyway, I bought the rat and was surprised to find that the seemingly affectionate rat pup was skittish as hell, shook uncontrollably, and would pretty much shit a brick at the tiniest of noises.

So my question is, how do I properly socialize this rat? Handle the fuck out of it? I won't be introducing it to the others, (they're all female) because it's male.

In fact it's so tiny and skittish it jumped from my hand in transfer to it's new cage, and it took me 6 FUCKING HOURS OF REMOVING FURNITURE TO FIND AND CATCH IT.

What do I do?
>> Anonymous
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fSe_vA72oI
>> BitterAnon !!WJLRQ1cwCyZ
Congrats on your impulse buy! I'm sure he appreciates it.

First thing to do: holy shit make sure it is actually a boy. If it does not have huge massive testicles then you have a pregnant female and will be a grandparent soon, congratulations! Most pet stores don't separate their rats by gender, so any female you buy is pretty likely to be knocked up. If it lacks xbox sized balls, then you should contact a rescue and give her up.

Secondly, read>>235958because there is new rat owner info and links there.

Your rat is probably diseased and will die soon. I'm sorry, but thats what happens with "feeder" rats. Some pet stores do have good quality rats that they actually take care of, but most just dump them in there until they get sold.

Oh, despite what the idiot at the pet store did, do NOT pick your at up by the tail.
>> Anonymous
I hear they like teh cheese
>> BitterAnon !!WJLRQ1cwCyZ
>>236120
Take your pills and the voices will stop.
>> Anonymous
Let him get used to his cage, and your presence looming over him outside of the cage. Try petting him inside of the cage, and when he is comfortable with that, if he will let you hold him, then he should be calmer. If he's still super-skiddish, holding him with your hands inside of the cage can work as an intermediate step. Then hold him close to you and let him do the exploring. If he's at a risk for running, you might want to have a towel handy to put over him, so you're not grabbing at him.

Also, when he's old enough, you might want to consider spending the money to have him fixed... if you have a vet who can do it. My male rat was really high-strung and territory aggressive until I had him neutered.