Advice needed

[bell89]

Does anyone have any advice on making rats more human friendly/snuggly? I have got to a certain point but have run out of ideas. I have tried the jumper on top of a tshirt idea but my boy just climbed out - wasn't having any of it.

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[sands]

I have used the human approaching = food treats approach to start, moving towards other enjoyable interactions such as scratches. During out time, I would sit on the floor and let the rats approach me, talking softly and offering small treats. We use organic rice puffs. The cage is in a high traffic part of then house, so interaction is frequent.

 

[jorats]

We have this trick we call "down the shirt". You put on a tshirt and a sweatshirt over top and place your rats in between. Keep them there for over an hour at a time, do this several times and for several days. Soon enough, your rats will relate your smell as a comfy cozy place. It works wonders.

 

[bell89]

hmmm I did try that ... maybe I did it wrong? will try again tonight until he accepts the snuggles.

Thanks.

 

[jorats]

Is he alone? That might factor in his fear.

 

I socialized my little ladies by using the sweatshirt approach a few times. I'd also take them out individually and put one of them in a snuggle pouch, then I'd go downstairs and sit with whoever I had and watch TV. I took them out individually sometimes, only because I wanted them to be able to bond with me, not just each other (even though they were already familiar with each other because they had lived in the same aquarium at the petstore with some other babies). Another thing that I did was I would lay a beach towel down in the bath tub, and I’d stick a pillow in there up against one end of the tub. Then I’d sit in the tub all comfy with my pillow, and I’d let my girls run around and get used to me. I’d pet them or pick them up a few times, and sometimes I’d give them treats. While I was sitting in the tub I could do homework or read or whatever as I let them get used to me. It worked pretty well, and within a week or so, they’d come running up to the front of the cage when I came in the room, begging for me to cuddle them.

Also: Is your rat alone? If he is, like jorats said, it might help if you got him a buddy to help him feel a little safer.

 

[bell89]

He was a bit better last night, stayed around more eating treats. So will keep going with it.

He is currently alone we wanted him to live with our two girls after he was neutered - don't want any unplanned babies, but his illness set us back a bit. They have been introduced - watched them like a hawk! - everything went smoothly but not living together as the vet told us to keep them separated until he felt better. Hopefully we can continue with the plan sooooon.