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Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / September 2005Domesticating young rats
Hi! I'm Luka, 22, from Slovenia, Europe. Very new to this group so a big hallo to everybody. I'm new to rats, too. I got my first rat 4 days ago. It's about 5 weeks old. I'm really enthusiastic about it cos I've heard all those nice stories about keeping them and how they attach to the owner and how you can carry it around on your shoulder etc. But I don't know how to make all that happen! :) I've read about a technic when you put two shirts on and you let your rat crawl in between.. (an older post in this group). I tried it yesterday and the rat (Minka) seemd quite relaxed.. but today she wouldn't let me take her out of the cage. She is a little bit braver now then when I got it, she dares to go around a little bit when I have my hand in the cage and she eats from the hand and licks my fingers. You can tell that she's getting to know me and all, but she woldn't let me take her out.. And I don't want to force her yet I'm afraid she'll never get used to me.. How long does this process usually take? Do you have any tips? Thanks! Luka > Hi! I'm Luka, 22, from Slovenia, Europe. Very new to this group so a > big hallo to everybody. I'm new to rats, too. I got my first rat 4 days [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > Thanks! > Luka Hi Luka!! Welcome to the list. My mom has a rat named Luka!! First and foremost, I would suggest getting little Minka a friend. Another female rat to keep her company is really beneficial for her mental and physical wellness. Rats are very social animals and really do need each other. I would also recommend forcing her out of the cage to put in your shirt. If you don't force her, chances are she'll get herself quite comfortable simply hiding in her cage. So next time your sitting down for a couple of hours, scoop her out of her cage and have her cuddle with you, do this at every single chance you get. ;) Joanne Owned by 14 rats > Hi! I'm Luka, 22, from Slovenia, Europe. Very new to this group so a > big hallo to everybody. I'm new to rats, too. I got my first rat 4 days [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > never get used to me.. How long does this process usually take? Do you > have any tips? Just keep doing it and give them cool food and they'll quickly associate you with good food and good times and they'll want to be around you. I had around 10-15 rats so far and all of them got really attached to me rather quickly. if they lick you that's a good sign! I would also suggest getting another rat of the same sex because 1 rat will get bored left alone. RAT  Signaturehttp://rattus_the_rat.tripod.com Wanna trade? go directly to: http//slash_locomotive.tripod.com/h/boots.html Hi and Welcome!!! Rat hugs and waves coming your way from the US! With new guys to my group I have my little office that I block off the door and let them loose on the floor, then I arm myself with all kinds of good munchies -cooked corn on the cob seems to be the paws down favorite all my rats, it easily incites a tug of war match if you're not fast enough. But when you get on the floor with them and talk to them and feed treats, their natural curiousity will bring them to you and before long they realize what neat rat you are and want to see you all time! Really, it just follows that if you love and care for a rat like you would a child and worry over it's needs and such, pretty soon your "child" is going to be wanting you all the time! Just love on and squeeze her whenever you can, oh, and sweet baby talk works real well with rats, even the boys. My husband says that the boys respond to the sound of my voice more so than his because of the way I talk to them. Children just naturally are closer to mama sometimes! Lisa > Hi! I'm Luka, 22, from Slovenia, Europe. Very new to this group so a > big hallo to everybody. I'm new to rats, too. I got my first rat 4 days [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > Thanks! > Luka Thank you for the tips! I'm affraid another rat is not really a possibility! My mum freaked out yesterday when I told her that we need a second rat! It was a hard time convincing her to get the first one.. Anyway, I haven't read enough about rats before I got Minka and I didn't realise that the question really was wheather or not to get 2 rats.. Anyway, I guess for now till my mother gets used to Minka we'll only have one rat. But me and my brother are really taking the time and try to bond with her. Everyday she is braver and now she seems fine with walking around the cage, brooming and eating even if I'm very close.. My hand doesn't frighten her as long as she stays in the cage. anyway, she learnt that my hand usually brings sweets (sunflower seeds, grapes) so she's always curious. That are good signs, right? Anyway, I'll do my best. Best wishes from Slovenia, Luka Sounds like you're off to a good start there! With you and your brother giving her lots of attention she should be okay, but make sure Mom sees how well the little girls bonds to you and what a good pet she'll be, once Mom relaxes about it, she'll let another one in. My mom was used to me bringing any kind of animal home so she wasn't surprised when I handed her a pet rat. My aunt however was afraid, but I took my good will ambassador and play a game of chase the string with him and tag in front of her, before long she was talking to him and even petting him too. These rats are so cute you can't help falling in love with them!!! Good luck in Slovenia! Rats hugs from USA > Thank you for the tips! I'm affraid another rat is not really a > possibility! My mum freaked out yesterday when I told her that we need [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Luka > Sounds like you're off to a good start there! With you and your brother > giving her lots of attention she should be okay, but make sure Mom sees how > well the little girls bonds to you and what a good pet she'll be, once Mom > relaxes about it, she'll let another one in. Luka, I just wanted to repeat what others have said. Whenever you think it will be listened too, do try to push to get a second rat, as it will make such a huge difference to their happiness, health & wellbeing. SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t Hey, guys! It's been 8 days now that I have Minka and I am rather sad by her improvement - instead of beeing ever more secure and brave and inquisitive she became rather nervous - in the cage se seems to feel pretty fine, even if I am aroud. But when I stick my hend in the cage, she becomes really nervous and starts moving sharply and unbelievably fast from one part of the cage to another, pausing slighly and then running off... In the firs days she seemed fine if I took her out to stuck her between my shirts or just let her wander around, but now she doesn't let me take her out and she wouldn't go herself, either! I don't know what to do, I'm affraid I'm missing the most precious time to bond with her. (What might be morth pointing out is that she was from a rattery where the breed rats and mice for feed for snakes.. So she wasn't really used to people being around and touch her..) Any suggestions? I guess you already stated it.. get another rat! And I'm working on it really hard. I guess I'll persuade my mom. I'm not a kid anymore, I'm 22 and student of biology, so my oppinion should count.. :) Anyway, I'll do my best and let you know how it went, and you can stay this supportive! And if youinvent some tips - I'm all ears!:) Luka > Hey, guys! > It's been 8 days now that I have Minka and I am rather sad by her [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Luka When she runs around the cage from on end to the other, is she also jumping at the same time and moving her head about? If she is, we call this popcorning and it's a sign that she is extremely happy. I really believe another rat will be the best thing for her. You're a student so she must be alone for long hours. This is stressful for her. Not only does breeding for snake feed cause her to be antisocial, but she can also have other problems from inbreeding, improper care at birth and the state of her mom is usually undesirable. Poor little thing, she has everything against her already. :( Give her lots of love... and don't worry, you can bond with rats at any age. My mom just rescued an old rat, he's 2 years old, and he loves my mom and only wants to be with her. Joanne Owned by 14 rats I just wanted to let you know, in case you were wondering about it or not:), that Minka is doing really well. Unfortunatelly she still doesn't have another rat in her cage, but me and my brother are taking really good care of her. Thanks, Joanne, for the post, I think she really is happy to see me and that this is the reason for her running around the cage. She's become quite brave now, she wants to go out of the cage every day to explore the room or just to get some fruit from me. We have come a long way with this bonding thing and it's getting better still! :) Thanks for your friendly posts! Best wishes, Luka > I just wanted to let you know, in case you were wondering about it or > not:), that Minka is doing really well. Unfortunatelly she still [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Luka That's great news Luka! Joanne Owned by 14 rats |
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