How to calm a very scared pet rat?

Question

I had two male rats but after a little over a month one became very mean and i had to take him to the pet store. I still have the other one, and he was always attacked by the other rat, but i seperated them a little over a week ago. So now my last remaining rat Taco is very jumpy and scared of neary everything. I can get him to crawl out onto my hands but thats about it and it takes almost half hour to get him to come out on my hands by himself. If i reach in there he will run to the corner of the cage and run from me or cling to the side bars and hang on. How do i get him to calm down and not be so afraid of everything? I've been working with him everyday and to me it seems like he's getting worse. I just want him to be friendly and calm instead of jumping everywhere and constantly freaking out. Even when it's just him and i leave him alone he's still freaking out. I don't know what to do, i've tried everything, so help please lol.

Answer 1

What's working for one of ours is:

- get a piece of cloth that's scented by him

- while he's dozing, gently scoop him up, and gently wrap him in the cloth.

- place said swaddled rat in your still arms.  Speak to him gently, while he gets used to comfort and your voice and scent.

- put that piece of cloth and him back once he starts squiggling.

- repeat daily.

Answer 2

my rat was a bit like that when we first got him. He wasn't even traumatized by another rat. we've spent a lot of time with him and looked after him just like we would with any other rat. fed him treats, lots of handling and a clean cage! he's really good now and even escaped his cage because he didn't want to be alone. right now he's cuddled up in the sleeve of my dressing gown, giving me advice on what to tell you! hope we could help!

Answer 3

Well, he is obviously tramatized by the other rat. is he still in the same cage? if so, he is having bad memories from the other rat bullying him. he remembers the beatings and he thinks at any minute the other rat might jump out at him and bite him. What you can do is TOTALLY rearange the cage. i mean totally. Scrub it very good to get the scents off and try to change the toys.  after you clean it put him back in there and let him explore. he will mark everything himself and he will make it HIS house. he wont remember the other rat, he'l think he is in a new, safe cage.

  Hope my answer helps you as it did me...   Miley<3

Answer 4

He is probably very traumatized by the other rat. It is unfortunate that you didn't remove the other rat sooner. All you can really do is to pet her and hold her very gently and take your time in getting her to trust you again. Offer him treats-(rats love special treats) give him space and give him a chance to become calm again.

Answer 5

Perhaps Taco is just still getting used to being in the cage alone, and still thinking about how much the other rat had tortured him. still just jumpy, but give him time, and don't give up on him, soon he'll be back to his normal self, but if he isn't then maybe it would just be best to give him to the pet store and then get a new rat.

Answer 6

I owned fancy rats before and i had one who was always very scared and her nails would dig into your skin when she was frightened. you can leave him treats in his cage and when taking him out you can also give him different foods. when holding him, pet him gently to let him know that you aren't any potential danger to him. Taco must think that (possibly you) everything is a danger to him so you have to show him that you're no harm. i hope that i was of some help to you! :D read the article listed, it might help alot!

Answer 7

leave it to carlm for a couple of days and aproach it slowley but using food the curiosity and hunger will always win but u have to be patient it wont come out first time use somin smelly like cheese make sure u in a quite room with no interuption and go from ther hopr this help