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Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / January 2008Poop, Anti-social and Weirdness
Hey guys, as some of you know I just got a new rat. My question for everyone is what is your experience with rats who poop all the time. I dont mean in the cage (as that's normal I think), but when you pick them up. I am annoyed because I cant hold the new rat Filbert even for 2 minutes without being covered in smelly poop. And I mean a lot of poop (like 15-20 pellets). I know he is healthy, and while the poop is no longer runny (thank god!), it still smells and leaves my clothing smelling like I just crapped myself. This limits when and how often I can play with him. It removes all change of playing/cuddling before work as he ruins my clothing, and while I can play for a bit after, its annoying to be pooped on constantly! I have had one previous rat who did this and I let myself keep him even though eventually I really couldnt stand him because I was never able to bond with him. Now, the store I got him from has a 14 day return policy where they will re-sell him to someone else and I can get another one. I'm not going to lie, I'm really tempted. I want a rat like Scoot who I can love and play with. Yes, he still pee's on me and I know they cant control that, and that honestly it means they like you and are claiming you, but I cant stand the pooping. The other reason I'm very tempted is that after 3 days he still hasnt opened up to me or Scoot. He sits in one corner and doesnt come out, he eats constantly, and he hoards food from Scoot, who rightly owns the food. I am at a loss of what to do. I contacted the store, and they will be getting new rats on Monday, and I'm really tempted to take the one I got in and get another one. I'm not saying they are disposable, but if you cant bond with an animal, how can you keep them? I love my babies, and I think Filbert is cute, but I just dont know. I hope to hear back from you guys soon with your opinions. It sounds as though he isn't that used to being handled. He is pooping because he is scared. Just think within a very short period of time he has been taken from his Mum, to a strange shop, taken from his litter mates, taken to a strange house, with a strange cage, a strange cage mate and a strange human. That is a lot of changes for any rat to go through and he is just a baby. When I have got rats who are scared of me I have sat in a small safe space (the hall) with some nice treats, first of all near me, and then getting closer to me and then onto my hand, it just takes time, the more time you give the better the results. What you see as cuddling and playing poor wee Filbert sees as scary and different. All rats are different and you will never get a rat just like Scoot as Scoot is an individual. Give him a few days to see if there are any changes, don't expect too much too soon, if you think you will not bond with him then it is better to take him back to the shop as he will find a new home easier while he is young. It is no good keeping a pet you cannot bond with if you will end up disliking him, it's not fair as it's not his fault. > Hey guys, as some of you know I just got a new rat. My question for > everyone [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > your > opinions. That is exactly my plan at this time. Tonight was the first time I ever saw him moving around the cage. He actually went and played with Scoot for a few minutes. I pulled him out tonight and after he pooped for about 4 minutes straight, he finally must have run out and stopped long enough that I could hold him and bond a tiny bit. Do you think he will stop pooping like this eventually? Also, do some rats just have runny noses? This is the second rat I've ever had that just seemed to sneeze and have clear-ish, pink-ish snot. I took the last one who did the exact same thing to the vet many times, and she said he was never sick. I've been trained on how to listen to their breathing with a stethiscope (I cant spell) and I hear nothing but clear breathing on both rats. I like how cute they are together since they completely match. They look identical in every way. Also, he is the first rat I've ever had that really made himself a special little home in the cage. He has a corner and he doesnt really venture out. He is getting more social with Scoot though. He actually went and played with him today, and Scoot groomed him for a bit. Scoot seems completely fasinated with Filberts butt. Its super funny! What does it mean when rats sneeze? Does it always mean illness? > That is exactly my plan at this time. Tonight was the first time I ever > saw [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > What does it mean when rats sneeze? Does it always mean illness? Your little rattie could be stressed as he is still new, or he could be allergic to something in the cage ( dusty bedding and such). Lots of rats will pick a fav spot or hidey hole in their cage and make it their own. It's good that he's playing with Scoot. Poop = fear. It takes a little time before they get comfortable with you. I like the advice of allowing him to come to you, offer him treats, etc. And it is good that he's playing with Scoot. It will be very good for Scoot to have a cage mate. Good luck and be patient. -Marlo >> That is exactly my plan at this time. Tonight was the first time I ever >> saw [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > will pick a fav spot or hidey hole in their cage and make it their own. It's > good that he's playing with Scoot. He really isnt a treats kinda rat. He only likes fresh veggies and his blocks. And peanuts! But he isnt like Scoot who wants anything and everything I eat. If he likes fresh veg that's a bonus, don't give him the veg in the cage, keep it until you have him out. Don't give him too many peanuts, they are very high in protein. Time is the most important thing here, mine love their out time now but at first they hated it. Even try sitting some veg near you in a safe place and just sit and read a book, gradually put the veg nearer and nearer to you. The more work you put into him now the friendlier he will be when he is older. > He really isnt a treats kinda rat. He only likes fresh veggies and his > blocks. And peanuts! But he isnt like Scoot who wants anything and > everything I eat. |
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