My rat tries to bite fingers near the cage?

Question

if you put your fingers near the cage my rat tries to bite them but if you pick her up out of the cage or cary her or whatever else she doesnt try to bite. Anyone know how to keep her from biting in the cage?

Answer 1

TAKE THAT GOD DAMNED WHEEL OUT BEFORE SHE LOOSES THE GLOVE OF HER TAIL IN IT. geez. not rat friendly.

Seriously. If you want vet bills go ahead. Also don't feed her through the bars, she won't bite. She's only testing to see if its edible, unlikely to be aggression.  

Answer 2

try a fish tank that way she cant bite ur fingers  

Answer 3

u cant train her to stop biting through the bars, she thinks it food, a treat or something, ALL rats do it!, my 2 also! just don't put your fingers through/near the bars!

Answer 4

Mine do the same thing, its not that they are trying to bit you, they think that it is a treat, and they try to grab it. Don't give them treats through the cage, open it up and put it in there food dish so they don't associate your fingers as yummy treats. My one got my finger before she didn't break skin and it didn't hurt but she scared the c**p out of me and she tried to walk away with my finger lol.

Answer 5

Keep your fingers away from the cage.  Put a fine mesh screen inside the cage.

Answer 6

get an enclosed cage she feel safer and no one gets hurt

Answer 7

First of all, that cage is waaay too small. They don't have enough running room, and probably want to be out.

Don't stick your fingers in the bars, they think it's food. It's instictual, and you can't stop it.

If you want to pet them, open the door.

Answer 8

Sometimes it helps to rip up pieces of cardboard and let them grab them through the bars. They think they are grabbing a treat and then they find out its cardboard. Soon they get sick of trying to grab through the bars. It worked for my boys, but not my girls.

Answer 9

you can train her by not feeding through the bars and when you do offer a treat through the door say treat. when you are gonna pet, say fingers. they'll learn to associate the words with food or just a scritch. and good for you for saying no tank. rats should always have a ventilated enclosure. good luck, it may take some time but stay persistent.

Answer 10

it means that it is territorial. my friends hamster does the same thing. if you dont want to get an enclosed cage then just keep your fingers away from the cage  

Answer 11

It's common behavior for rats. Just don't stick your fingers through the bars.