Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / March 2006

I'm pleased to report that things with Speck seem to be going well.
Though she still resists being caught to some extent, once she's with
me she settles down right away. She nestles herself near my collarbone
and is content enough to take snacks, and usually falls right asleep in
there. In the cage setting, she is still quite nervous when she sees me
coming but will often lick or climb onto my hand and even venture onto
(or into) the sleeve before running back to safety. I figure that in
another week she will have made even greater progress. So thanks again,
Joanne, for the great technique. I only wish I had known about it when
my other rats were young.

Anyway, this brings me to my new problem. When I put Speck back in the
cage, the other two are often mean to her and treat her roughly when
she tries to get in the nest box with them, no doubt because they
perceive that she has been getting "special treatment" or something
along those lines (and they do have a point). Can't we all just get
along?

Heather