First time rat owner help?

Question

If anyone has any experiences with keeping rats as pets, I could use some advice.

I just got her today and she doesnt seem okay.

She's breathing heavily and wont come out of hiding.

Is this just because shes left her cage at petco or is something wrong with her?

Anyother advice would be helpful too, along with websites.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Rats do very poorly living alone. They are social animals, and usually live shorter lives and are prone to more illnesses if living alone. They also feel comfortable with other rats, and take -much- less time to get used to you. Why not go back tomorrow, and get a second rat that was in the same cage she came from. This will improve her life a great deal. Make sure they are both females though.

She is obviously scared because she was taken away from the place she knew and felt safe in, and put in a new cagem with no other rats to comfort her. Whenever I get new small animals, I always give them up to a week all on thier own without bothering them. This gives them time to sniff around the new cage and learn that it is safe. You can of course clean the cage, and feed her, but don't hold or touch her for at least the first day. She should have multiple hiding places. They can be as simple as empty cardboard boxes.

After you give her some time, you can start interacting with her. Before you do, ensure the room is not loud, but at the same time not silent. Silence reminds them of predators, and they tense up. Having a quiet radio in the background helps. Also avoid sudden movements.

Get some treats. Most rats go crazy for yogurt drops, which can be purchased at pet stores. Make it a habit to only give one after you've made progress with her getting to know you.

Start small, first just talking softly to her, and reaching in a petting her a bit. She won't bite, bt she will sort of freeze with fear, and also to camoflauge. Reward her for that anyway, but slowly expect her to become friendlier and friendlier. She should eventually come around and sniff your hand. Offer a yogurt drop on your palm, and get her to take it her self. Such things. Eventually you can hold her, first in quick lifts inside the cage, and eventually out of the cage.

Keep these interactions brief. You don't want to stress her out. But keep them frequent, several times a day. When you get your second, start by working with them together, but at the point where they trust you enough to come out, take out one at a time to work with them seperately. I find this helps get them bolder and more interested in you.

Here is a lot of info. Be sure to read the socialization part.

http://www.petratscanada.com/ratcare.htm

More:

http://www.shunamiterats.co.uk/articles....

http://www.petinfopackets.com/rats/ratin...

http://www.curiosityrats.com/

http://www.ratsrule.com/

Answer 2

I do not recommend buying animals from a commercial store.

This could be stress.  Was this supposed to be a tame rat?

Google Rats as a Pet.

Answer 3

I own two rats:)

both from petco also.

well this is normal for rats when you first buy them.

she's just a little nervous.

just keep taking her out of her cage and comforting her, giving her a lot of love.

Rats are a lot like other pets such as dogs and cats they like to be loved and petted.

Do that as much as possible. Teach her to go up on your shoulder and sit there.

feed her lots of carrots and other fruits and veggies.

just not celerey.

noodles and eggs are okay too.

If your rat doesn't eat them within a day disspose of them.

buy her some vitamins.

make sure her cage is as clean as possible.

her environment must be 100% dust free.

when you clean her cage make sure to not use a lot of soap because they can become ill from the soap. just a dime drop.

any of the crusty brown looking mold on the cage or food bowl is not good at all. clean it immediately. It has pnemonua written all over it.

If your rats stomache is caving in deep when she breathes don't walk, RUN to your nearest vet.

Rat's are known for getting diseases easily so it's beast you take care of them.

There mucus is red along with there tears. There shouldn't be a lot though.

Make sure your little rat has plenty of water. And always check and clean it. Add fresh water once a week. And check to make sure food isn't caught up in it.

Your rat should have fresh air. Do not set her cage under direct light. She doesn't need to tan. You should have a fan blowing on her on low.

Make sure to clean her cage once a week and change her bedding once a week.

try these sites:

http://www.victorpest.com/all_about_rats...

http://www.omsi.edu/visit/life/lab/ratca...

http://www.petwebsite.com/rats.asp

hope this helped:))

Answer 4

I've worked with rats for 3 years and owned for 1.  The same thing happend with my rats. She just needs to get used to her new home. Make sure you pet her daily and interact with her or shell never know your her owner.  im sure after she gets to know you youll be a great mom!!!!!! if you need any help email me at [e-mail]

Answer 5

She's just a little nervous. Give her some time. My fifth rat, Frankie, was like that. Maybe get her one of her siblings?

Answer 6

She may be just nervous in a new setting.

Take her out and handle her gently or let her run around a bit.  If she will not walk or run or climb around within a few minutes out of the cage, there's something wrong.  If she's wheezing, or has discharge coming out her nose, something is wrong.  If she seems limp and lethargic, something is wrong.

She will breathe very fast, from your point of view, because she is a very small animal.  That's normal.  Sometimes people think this fast breathing means the rat is scared.  It doesn't.  It's just regular rat breathing.

Rats tend to sleep in the daytime unless you wake them up.  However, they are generally happy to be waked up, unlike hamsters.