Is this strange for a rat?

Question

My rat seems to be really enjoying my company but she hates when I pick her up. She's not frightened of me at all and she loves being petted and sitting on my lap. But when I try to pick her up she sometimes but not always runs. Once she gets on my lap she's fine though. Why is that? Should I do something different?

Answer 1

Rats are prey animals and being held does not come natural to them.  Most rats let go of this instinct and are known for being shoulder rats.  Your rat  is likely this way because when she was young (at breeder or pet-store) she was not handled enough.  Ages vary, especially in pet-stores, and the longer a rat is left unsold, with little contact, the worse it will be.  It doesn't mean she doesn't love you, as the lap-sitting has probably showed you.  She just gets a little nervous sometimes.  Try giving her a treat every time you pick her up.  Positive edible reinforcement works really well for rats.

Answer 2

i have 6 pet mice. they all do it. especially Nibble, the best way is when they are asleep, then quickly pick him/her up. Nibble hates it so much she hired Miss.White (the biting mouse) to guard her. before you pick them up, maybe rub your hands on some rat food and on their cage, it gets the human scent off you. try that, it helps me. also try cornering her/him. this is very normal. Nibble does it everytime. the main thing is that your rat enjoys being with you.

Answer 3

I have one too. Its very usual. Rats of all kinds to ot like hights.

Answer 4

My rats do the same thing.  She is probably just a little nervous because she feels like she is not in control.  My rats love to be cuddled, but run from me when I try to pick them up.  What I find works the best is to either put one hand flat and kind of scoop them onto it with my other hand.  Or the other thing I do is sort of gently cup my hands around them and slowly scoop them up.  It doesn't always work, but they don't get as scared as they do if I were to just try to grab them.  Good luck!  And your rat is normal.  =)

Answer 5

she just doesnt want to be picked up let her get on your lap herself.

Answer 6

She might not enjoy being high off the ground. My rat does the same thing. She might have had some previous trauma with being picked up. Try (this worked for me) ,when you have time in between doing things, open his cage and lift him up off the ground about two inches and do that for two days or so and than the next day lift him higher and higher until hes comfortable being lifted.

Answer 7

Many many prey animals are afraid of being picked up at first, especially if they were not well socialized or handled often as babies.  If she is from a pet store, she was probably not socialized at all.  It just has to do with the fact that it is very much like being picked up by a predator like a bird, dog, so on.  But- give her time and she will trust you enough- she sounds like she is well on her way.

Add- Do not pick her up while she is sleeping. This is *very* stressful and can send her into shock.  Do not rub your hands with rat food.  They have very poor eyesight and will bite when the smell food.