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Any tips (other than treats) on how to get your rats to trust you?
I got two rats 3 weeks ago and they don't trust me. One rat is more confident than the other and last night he went on my boyfriend's hand completely, however my boyfriend went to close his arms together slowly and he jumped straight back into the cage. I've been feeding them treats, but they should have trusted me by now right? They were bred and the breeder picked them up with no problem and at the time one of them climbed on me, but as soon as they got here I can't move a muscle without them jumping. Any other tips would be great because i'm worried I may never be able to pick them up. I'm willing to take the time they need but I need to know if eventually they'll be how they should be :(
7 Answers
- daniel gLv 73 years ago
Time and patience. The key is not to do something that scares them, you just have to get to know their body language.
Persistence helps,spend lots of time socializing and sort of let them do their thing their way.
Some sit in a bathtub with them, a bag of treats, and just let them have at it. Never force them against their will.
If they choose to avoid you, give them that freedom of choice, Trust is learning hands won't hurt them won't grab them or chase them. They need to see your hands are something good. As you note, they have individual personalities.
Some nearly come tame, others may take weeks or even months. when they feel frightened, they need a place they can hide and feel safe. This may show a hamster, but much the nature of any small prey animal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g0X7Nje9PI
Much like this has worked across the board for me, even some wild critters like fence lizards trusting to nearly take meal worms from my hand although it did take months and persistence and lots of patience.
Some videos I am sure will help, Rats are very smart and do learn faster than some other small animals.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+t...
None of my ratties seemed to favor being picked up but with trust, had no problem tolerating lifting and of course freely climbing onto laps for treats
Hope this helps speed things along.
- 3 years ago
pretend you're a rat around them, then they will start to think you're one of them. I'd start by eating their food infant of them and then slowly proceed to growing out all the hair you possibly can, then they will start to trust you!
- Elaine MLv 73 years ago
They've found that holding a rat for 20 minutes or longer eliminates the fear in them.
- Anonymous3 years ago
The effort you put in your pets show. If you occasionally drop a treat or two, make a clicking sound and play a whole 5 minutes a day, what good are you? Occasional feedings and sceent association may make them less trepadatious of your presence but that was about it.
Too many people are hung up on ‘does my dog, cat, cow, chicken, pig, gecko, spider mouse,,,,,etc like me? Are they afraid of me? Will they ever trust me?
I’m Did you ever take the time to look up that particular pet you got? Read up on housing, bedding, toys, basic foods and treats, how to introduce new foods and new environments so they don’t get sick or intimidated? Good enough air flow through the cage, locks on the doors so they dont escape. Do you have enough chew blocks to wear their teeth down properly? Even trimming their nails? Have you been handling them on a daily basis increasing the play and handling?
I purchased my first rattling when I was 10 and he was 4 weeks old. We converted an old aquarium,into a 3 sided class and wire tank, it had a swing and a loft. To my surprise Charlie was a very clean very smart, we had her clicker trained to beg, comes and do many tricks including roll over. Charlie was held and played with all day from when I got up until bed time with the exception of meals. No pets at the humans table.
I didn’t worry if Charlie was skittish or hyper, we just found fun things today do like build rat castles, toilet paper tube tunnels etc. Charlie even loved climbing a rope ladder. My brother and I both played with her and she got used to our noises and routines.
The first week or two all animals, even us people are apprehensive about starting new routines like moving, changing JObs, schools etc but shortly after people acclimate and get used to the changes and finally settle in.
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- 3 years ago
Bring a snake in the picture and that'll put a stop that nonsense of not trusing you.
- Anonymous3 years ago
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