My new rat!?

Question

I got a new fancy rat from Petsmart today. A Male.

How can i get him not to be so scared? He pooped in the carrier he cam with, it's a bit red. It's not mushy, but it's soft. Does he have wet tail?!

Do rats like cheese? He is hidding under the wheel in the cage, will he ever be better? I put him on my shoulder, he dosen't jump off or anything, just when I put him on the computer desk he ran off into the wires then I put him into the cage.

Is this normal? I want him to be friendly. How can i do that. Thanks alot!

Answer 1

Rats do not get wet tail. Pet store rats are not usually very well socialized, plus he's in a completely new environment. You need to expect him to take some time to adjust. Here's some information on trust training your rat:

http://www.ratfanclub.org/trust.html

http://www.afrma.org/trusttraining.htm

http://members.aol.com/juliesrats/behavi...

Are you sure his p**p was red? If you see any more red in it I'd take him to a small animal vet to be checked out

Lastly, please get him a same s*x friend. Rats are highly social animals that live in family groups in the wild. It's not fair to keep them alone. Remember to do introductions slowly and on neutral ground, do /not/ just plop another rat in with him.

It would also be best to quarantine the new rat in case any more rats came into the store. This is to prevent the spread of illness in case the new rat is sick. You'll want to keep the new rat in a different cage and in a different building for three weeks.

Edit: As someone else said, do NOT feed your rat cheese. They explained why already.

Answer 2

I also can't help but feel proper research wasn't done. So I'm gonna run through all the need to know stuff.

1- Rats need to be kept in pairs. Your rat will be shy and timid and even develop up social and mental problems if kept alone. He will bit his tail become depressed and lazy, and also having another rat gives him the confidence to warm up to you. Being a pet store rat he is not socialized and he's having to cope with his whole entire life becoming something new and he's having to deal with it all himself. About the reddish poo, his stomach is just probably upset and will stop in a few days.

2- Rats cannot b e kept in aquariums, even if it's as huge as a 75gal. they will develop a respiratory infection.

3- No rats cannot eat cheese, they cannot get wet tail but they can get a real bad stomach ache.

4- rats need one hour out of their cage, if they are kept in a cage all day they will become destructive. [after they are comfortable with you]

5- you are doing way too much with your rat. You shouldn't even be handling him right now. when you first get a rat it's important to let them get settled in their home. leave him alone for 2 days and them for about a week just talk to him through the cage and get him used to you being there. Then for another 5 days place your hand in the cage but do not move it or put it by him. just set it in the middle and even when he comes to sniff it don't move your hand. then after he gets used to your hand try to pet him, if he lets you do that just pet him for once again another 4-5 days until he is completely comfortable with it. then after he is good with all of the above open the cage door and see if he'll walk on your shoulder. If not try to pick him up, if squirms a little it's ok, if he is scratching and vigorously jerking his head to get out of your grasp he's not ready and continue petting him until he is. Also make sure you support his feet. Once he lets you pick him up place him on your shoulder and sit at your computer chair or any chair as long as its some place he can't get away from you and watch TV or something. Completely ignore him, act like he isn't even there. then when he gets used to this pet him when he's on your shoulder. Over time he'll become completely comfortable with you.

but once again, most importantly, get him a friend! I cannot stress how important that little fact is. Rats are just like people in needing interaction from their own species. Keeping him look in a cage with no one is equivalent to locking a person in a cage with no human contact. Image how you would feel with no one, ever.

I also suggest googling rat care and read up to know how to bet care for your new pet.

Oh and one more thing, pine and cedar is no good. It will cause them to get a respiratory infection, as well as kaytee food has been linked to causing cancer. No oranges or citrus fruit for male rats, and nothing that would cause him to burp because rats cant burp

Answer 3

It sounds like he is very stressed. I would leave him alone for now.

It will take him a few days to adjust to his surroundings, and he will need a lot of your time and patience to resocialize him. You can leave start calling him out smoothly and have a piece of treat in a spoon. Slide the spoon gently into the cage, and see if he will take it. It may take a long time but keep trying. Once he comes to the spoon enough you might want to try it with your fingers.

I would highly suggest to get another rat, possibly from the same place because they are social and are much more healthy, both physically and mentally when with another of their kind. A lone rat might become neurotic and act strangely.

Answer 4

ok... firstly you may need to see a vet or go back to where you got him and ask whats wrong, they should give you advice, you may need to go to the local vets, also, if your rat is really scared, you might need to buy another one from the same litter (if you can) i had to do this with my two rats lol, if your cage is not big enough or you just dont want to then go to http://ratfanclub.org/trust.html this might help because the rat fan club is made by Debbie Ducommun who calls herself "the rat lady" and she is world famous for her 'rat loving' you just need to give your rat a bit of TLC

Answer 5

You obviously know nothing about rats, rats can't get wet tail only dumb old hamsters. Second what does everyone think rats and mice only eat cheese? Yes rats can eat cheese and they really like it, but I hope you got some acctual rat food. Rats will eat anything pretty much but look online befor you feed it to him. I hope you can properly care for your rat caus you seem to be out in the cold when it comes to rat care, did you do any reaserch on rats befor you got him? Handle him it;s the only way to get him to be friendly, twenty minutes every day. I wish you the best of luck with your rat and he will make a great friend :)

Answer 6

If he stayed on your shoulder, all you have to do is handle him a lot.  He isn't scared, just not used to you.  He doesn't know you from Adam and Eve.  He will be a great pet if you keep playing with him.

I'm not sure about the p**p.  It's normal to p**p in the carrier.  How is his p**p now?  Rat p**p is firm but not too hard, when it's fresh.  But the red, I don't know if he ate something red or if there's blood in it.  See how he is by tomorrow.  If he seems sick, take him back; you paid for a healthy rat.  But if you wait too long you can't take him back.

I assume you bought rat food for him.  He can eat a little cheese, but it's like junk food for a rat; they love it but too much isn't good for them.  They will eat almost anything you will eat; be sure he eats mostly healthy food.

Answer 7

DO NOT FEED YOUR RAT CHEESE!! Even though movies and cartoons "advertise" this concept, rats are very very sensitive to raw lactose! Also, if you are letting him run around on your computer desk, ALWAYS supervise this. Rats are big chewers and may find your computer cords very appealing. This could lead to an electrocuted ratty rat! Don't be discouraged if your rat seems a little frightened our wet tail ish! He probably didn't get that much attention and play time at the pet store and is just new to this idea. HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH YOUR LITTLE FRIEND!! : D

Answer 8

I don't know about the red poo but i know that he will be scared if you just got him. don't worry, unless it lasts a long time,  just leave him alone for awhile to get used to his new surroundings!