Category: Animal House
I've just bought two cute female rats from a pet store, Liquerish and Bandit. They have lived with people before, and according to the staff at the pet store, should be quite tame. However, I seem to be doing something wrong with them, or perhaps, I'm still too new to them. They don't seem to like being picked up, when I want to put them back in the cage, which I must do, so they don't escape, when I leave my apartment. I try to pick them up the right way, under the chest, supporting them with the other hand, but they always try to get away. I can't figure out if it's just because they want to continue playing and exploring, or if they are afraid of me. I can't help feeling a little cruel, whhen I hold them, and they try to get away like that. I wonder if I can teach them to go to their cage somehow, but I guess, it will be difficult, because I can't really tell who is who, unless I hold one in each hand, which never really happens. Also, I wonder how I can teach them not to bite my feet. They've done it a few times, and though I don't bleed or anything, it still hurts a little, when they do it. I don't know if they think, I'm food. lol
If anyone has any advice, I'd really appreciate it. I want to give my new, cute ratties a good, active, healthy and happy life, and I don't want to hurt them, if I can avoid it.
Thanks in advance,
Susanne
First and foremost, here is your link to everything you need to know. http://www.ratfanclub.org/ and please join the forum. Everyone there is very helpful and very friendly. They also have a group of Facebook (there's an imposter group though so watch out.)
Second, rats don't much like being suspended in the area. If you pick them up, hold them right to your chest, on your arms, or put them on your shoulder as you walk around.
Third, bonding bonding bonding. Positive reinforcement - gentle pets, little treats, happy talk, and toys.
Fourth, foot biting - rats explore with their teeth. Sometimes they'll even give kisses. But a little nibble is how they figure out if something's food or not a chewtoy or their person.
Good luck with your new girls. :)
And if you can't hack it with rats, get a pet snake. You've already got two weeks' worth of food there. A blink can feed a snake - I have. You just gotta make sure first it's at the opposite end of the terrarium.
Thanks for the advice. I'm trying to follow it.
Regarding snakes, I don't mind them, but personally think, they would be boring pets. They don't seem to bond with you, and I don't think, they can learn much. Besides, I'm against the concept of throwing away a pet like that. Sort of like, well, this doesn't work, so now, you must die. I think, that is cruel. If I do find out, it doesn't work out, I'll take them back to the pet store, or try to get someone else to adopt them. I hope, that won't happen though. I really like them, and think, they are cute and smart. I've just got to figure it all out, as these are my first rats. I've had birds before, many years ago, and I can already tell, this seems much easier and better for me than birds. I even think, I'm beginning to be able to tell who is who now. smiles
I was kidding!