New Rat Question?

Question

I recently, earlier today - 5 hours ago, got a new female normal, healthy rat. She has a large cage, food, water, tons of toys, shelters, and a hammock. She ahs nice soft bedding, and many levels to he cage. But she is very skittish, and will not take treats I offer her, and will run away if I get too close. I am not making any sudden movements either. She also hides in a corner when I come by. Should I wait until tomarrow to try giving her a treat, and mybe petting her, or what!? Help please!!!!! Thanks!

Answer 1

First of all, you need to get a second rat.  Rats do much better in pairs.  Not only are they happier, but they tend to be friendlier.  Rats kept by themselves sometimes go neurotic and start biting out of loneliness.  If there is another rat that she was living with before you got her, and that rat is available, you can go back and get that.  Otherwise, if you need to get a rat from another source, you will need to go through quarantine & introduction procedures, which can take 4-8 weeks.

For the first few days after getting her, you should not try to pick her up or interact with her.  For the first day, avoid the room as much as possible.  For the next few days after that, just sit near the cage, and let her get used to your presence.  After that, you can start opening the door & offering her treats.  Never offer treats through the bars of the cage, as this can make a rat "grabby".

The fact that she sniffed your hand at all, so soon after getting her, is a pretty good sign.  As for her pushing bedding up to your hand, it sounds like she was trying to bury your hand with the treat.  This sounds like "hoarding" behavior, and, while I find it hilarious that she would do this, it doesn't mean anything one way or the other.

As for handling a rat, the best way to handle a rat (at least to begin with) is to let them climb onto you.  You can also pet them with one or two fingers.  When the rat is comfortable with you, you can pick them up by placing your hand gently around their chest/tummy.  

Never ever pick your rat up by the tail (or grab at the tail to catch them), as you can injure or even kill them by doing this.  Only pick them up by the trunk of the body (the part between their shoulders & their back legs).

Answer 2

By handle they mean touching, petting, picking up, etc.

Don't try to touch her yet, give her a day or two. While you're not touching her, you can still talk to her. Come over by her cage and read a book, or just sit and talk to her, so she gets used to your presence.

When you do start to handle her, let her sniff the back of your hand first. And let her come to you, don't go after her with your hand. You have to be very patient. Treats are a good idea. Give her a treat whenever you come by for the first few weeks, and she'll love your presence!

Answer 3

she's probably pretty young and has lived in the same cage with the same rats for the entirety of her life, so it'll take her a while to warm up to you and settle into her new home. what i mean is, she's going to be shy for a while. just give her time some time alone for the first day or two (you'll notice she'll probably just be hiding anyway). this is totally normal, but don't worry rats are a lot more social and smart than people know. soon she'll run out when she hears you coming or chase you around when you let her out. once she gets used to you she'll be lots of fun, but she'll want lots of attention, so don't forget to keep playing with her daily.

Answer 4

do you only have one? It's been said many times before but rats cannot be kept alone. They are social like people and need interaction with their own species. She could develop metal and social problems such as becoming lazy, depressed, self harm, be destructive to the things within in her cage, and also having more than one rat gives them the courage to warm up to you.

You should leave her alone for AT LEAST a day. I recommend 3. After that approach her cage and talk to her through the bars until she seem comfortable and relaxed with you being there.  Then open the cage door and stick you hand in and place it by her. When she comes up to sniff it don't move or reach out to her, after she is done sniffing leave it there for for another minute then take it out and talk to her. Do this several times a day and when she is used to that try and pet her. Let her sniff your hand than move it very slowly towards her. Don't reach for her from the sides or the back, you want her to see your hand coming. Same as before, when she is comfortable with this the try picking her up. She will probably squirm a little but if she is scratching and jerking strongly to get out of your grasp the set her down and pet her for another day then try again. When you do pick her up stay by the cage and hold her for a short time of 5minutes or so. Next pick her up and take her to a chair, computer chair or recliner, somewhere she can't get away from you. You'll want to be online or watch TV because you want to sit with her for a long time. I suggest wearing cloths you don't care for because she will probably poo and pee out of nervousness. When she is on you completely ignore her. Just let her go about her business be it walking around on you or just sitting on your shoulder. Eventually she'll wonder about and the great part is that because you didn't interact or make her feel threatened when she was by you, whenever something scares her she'll run to you. When she starts to wonder than you can pet her and play with her. It's a long process but the love and trust they have for you from working with them at their pace makes up for it.

I will say also that while most people say to win them over with treats, I strongly disagree. If you give them treat after treat to win them over then rats will view you as a source of food, not a companion and when you try to be more than your given role it confuses them. Also its a good way to start the nasty habit of nipping. You can give her treats but for every treat you give her a little while later put you finger or bend your finger and let her sniff you knuckle. This will stop her from assuming every time you put your hand to her it's food. Have fun with your rat and remember to get her a friend.

Answer 5

All rats are different. Some are friendly and fun the first day, while others can take up to a month to fully accept you. First off, make sure she likes the treat you're offering her. Try leaving it in the cage and seeing if she eats it. If she does, then at least you know she likes the food. Try every day to have her eat out of your hand, and if she wont take it from you, leave the treat in the cage for her. That way, she'll come to associate visits from you with a treat. Eventually, you can try to pet her. Just set your hand in the cage and let her sniff you to get use to your sent.

Another good little activity to do is to put the cage in a closed off room and sit there quietly. your rat should eventually poke her head out in curiosity, and might even run around the room a bit. If she learns that you aren't going to hurt her, she might even crawl on you! Those are all good little things to do. Your rat should open up to you over time, just be persistent!

Answer 6

When i got my 2 pet rats they were a bit like that to. what u have got to do is hold it all day and try occasionaly to give it a treat.

Answer 7

I usually give my rats 24 hrs to settle in.  After that I calmly handle them and keep our meetings pleasant.

Just give her time to settle in.

Answer 8

Okay, your rat seems to have a nice temperament, but she's not used to you.  You can put your hand under her belly and gently curl your fingers around her and lift her out.  You can put your other hand on top of her if you like, to keep her more still.  Let her climb around your body of hold her in your hands and pet her and talk to her.  Within 20 minutes she should be a lot more used to you, and she will like you if you are gentle.

You can, if you wish, wait until tomorrow to do all this.  I never do, as rats are usually very mellow and get used to people very quickly if you pick them up.  

Maybe she was trying to hide the treats under the bedding; at least it means she's not scared of you.

She may not always want to take a treat from you, depending on how much she really likes the treat.  At least she's curious, a good sign.

Answer 9

It will take some time for her to get used to you, but I think you should still put the treat in the cage even if she isn't ready to take it out of your hand. It'll get her used to your hand going in the cage.

Answer 10

It takes time for animals to adjust to new homes. I allow my animals a week before I start to handle them. Let her get settled, then work with her everyday for at least 20 minutes a day. I have 23 rats myself and as long as you give them plenty of attention, they make great pets. I would reccomend getting a cage buddy for a rat. Rats are the type of animal that does well in pairs.

Answer 11

just like getting a new dog or cat, your rat needs to adjust to being in a new enviroment.

Your new rattie doesnt know you yet.  Keep holding her, let her ride around on your shoulder (keep a paper towel roll close by for droppings/wee).  Keep socializing with your new rat.  Within a few weeks (usually 2 or 3, sometimes sooner or longer) , they will be cuddling with you, and taking food from you.

a trick:  give em peanut butter from your finger (not a spoon, it will learn to trust the spoon for its favorite treat, not you).  it depends on your rat tho if it likes creamy or crunchy peanut butter, but try both to see what it likes better.

but regardless:  all animals are like people - they are shy and cautous until they get to know you.

just give it some time.

Answer 12

thats normal for rats. and just put the treat in there. they dont like to eat out of your hands. they will soon get close to you. make sure you interact daily with them. and dont keep them trapped in their cage, sometimes they want some fresh air. if you need any help email me at [e-mail]

Answer 13

congrats.

you will have to  wait a while for her to get used to you. even if you give her treats! wait a couple more days and then try to give her a treat. you can let her get used to you by talking to her calmy andsoftly. like " Hi, rattie, hows your day?" dont worry, she will soften up. hope i helped.