Does this seem normal for rats?

Question

I just got two pet rats from my friend. they are babies (about 3 monthes old)

They don't let me pick them up, they haven't been eating as much as they used to, and they don't use their exercise wheel as much. Does this seem bad? All they do is sleep all day. Of course there isn't much else to do when your a rat. lol

I don't know much about them so i just wanted to check in :D

thanks!!

Answer 1

Rats are mostly active at night and could be eating then or sometimes they hide food and eat it later, they could also be using the wheel at night too. I have 2 rats that are a bit younger than yours and one of them won't let me pick her up. take time to get to know them and feed them treats and try stroking them with a small paint brush so they get used to being touched.

Answer 2

Rats are nocturnal so they are always going to sleep all day. Mine used to wake up at about 9pm. It is possible to gradually get them to wake up earlier. Now Mine are up at 6pm. sometimes 5pm. Rats also tend not to really go for exercise wheels. They'll use them for a while but they are really intelligent so they start to not see a point. If you just got them then they aren't going to want you to touch them. They also wont eat everything you give them because they don't trust you. Leave them alone for a week, after the week is up talk to them but don't pick them up after a couple of days slowly place your hand in the cage and just let it sit there even if they walk up to it don't move. Then when they get more comfortable with that try and pet them. Only pick them up when they are comfortable with you, they may squirm a little. When I mean a little I don't mean scratching and vigorously jerking to get out of your grasp, that shows they aren't ready.

When they do let you pick them up put them on your shoulder and go sit on a chair or anywhere where they can't get away from your presence. Don't bother them just them them walk around on you, pretend they aren't even there. Once again when they get comfortable with that then pet them.  Also they will poo a lot because the are scared so wear a long sleeved shirt and pants you don't care for. If you have any questions this is a better place to ask

http://www.goosemoose.com/component/opti...

got info on them

http://www.quite.co.uk/rats/

Answer 3

They are probably just scared of the move. how long have you had them? if you just got them recently let them settle into their new surroundings. Let them get used to you. Talk to them and get them used to your voice. Maybe pet them once in awhile just so they know that you are going to hurt them.

Answer 4

Have you got them checked by a vet yet? They could be in a sickness right now, so that's the best thing to do: get them a vet checkup. The vet should be able to find something out. =D good luck