Biting Solved!

[Angel22]

So, about four to five days ago i got bit when trying to feed my girls. It was fairly hard and broke the skin. Its not the bit thats the big deal, it triggered my anxiety and now i cant even reach into the cage without a panic attack starting. What do i do?!!!!!!!! Why would Jinx bit me for no reason?!!!

She is 5 months old and her cagemate is also female and is 4 months old. I've been feeding them the same way since I got them when they were two months. She sorta lunged at my hand and snapped onto it.

 

[hopefloats]

well food going into a cage can trigger a bit since your hand is in the way of the food. Unless she is biting you with no food involved dont worry to much about it. You can work with feeding her small treats from your fingers carefully so she learns the food and the finger are different.

 

[Angel22]

Ive been feeding them the same way since i got them and this was kinda like a lunge and bite.

 

[hopefloats]

how old is she/??

 

[Angel22]

5/6 months. Her cagemate is 3/4 months and also female.

 

[jorats]

She is at the age to become territorial. I'd just be extra careful right now. When you go into her cage, make sure you can distract her with a treat or put a towel over her. Some females outgrow it.

 

[Angel22]

Do u think she will? I'm quite scared of her now.

 

[jorats]

If you socialize her a lot and interact with them a lot she really should.

 

[Angel22]

Can they sense fear? I start taking panic attacks around her now and can barely even hold the baby now:/

 

[hopefloats]

Rats might not be the best pets for you then. Rarely are they perfect and you cannot be fearful and leave her alone. You will have to find a way to calm down prior to messing with her. It wont be fair to her if you start leaving her alone and not messing with them. You have pets you have to do what is best for them, so you will have to work with her and not be scared of her, fear will not get you or her anywhere.

 

[Angel22]

Hopefloats i was diagonsed with medical anziety and when something happens, as minor as it may seem to some people, it can trigger it. I have no control. Please dont judge me. I will do whatever is best for my girls, even if it means I have to rehome them.

 

Hopefloats i was diagonsed with medical anziety and when something happens, as minor as it may seem to some people, it can trigger it. I have no control. Please dont judge me. I will do whatever is best for my girls, even if it means I have to rehome them.

It's OK Angel. Maybe your girl is one of those rats whose an absolute heart outside of the cage, but by you reaching your hand in it encroaches on her territory and kind of flips the "attack and defend" switch on. Maybe you just need to get her out of the cage, and see how that goes. I recommend taking her out, putting a towel in the bathtub, and then sitting with her in the bathtub. Just let her run around, crawl all over you, whatever you want. Bring in some treats like yogurt fed from the end of a plastic spoon (that way she has to sit near you if she wants to eat the yogurt). I have heard of rats who are complete attack rats in the cage, but snuggly sweethearts out of the cage. Maybe your little girl is one of them.

 

[hopefloats]

but they may bite some girls do bite and some do not grow out of it. I figured you had that but regardless you have to put that aside and work with her. You saying you cannot even touch her wont help. I am not judging but I wont sugar coat my replies, regardless of what you have happening, you will have to find a way to cope with it to work with her. I have a biter girl who i live with, i also get nailed often by rats. Rats bite. fear of that and biting rats is usually a bad combo.

 

[Angel22]

Would maybe putting gloves that smell like me in the cage help her realize in not a threat? I'm trying to figure out ways that BOTH of us will be okay with.

 

[hopefloats]

you can try a shirt you wear but chances are a girl who "owns" her cage will do just that. You will have to figure out how to live with her, get her out of the cage, let her come out on her own but dont let the fear win, you defeat yourself before you even start just by saying that.

I never changed my biting girls, that is the truth mally bit me for almost 2 years. allanah has bitten me if i get close to her, it is a look where she is type thing before sticking your hand in. Out side of the cage they are generally fine but in the cage it is their house.

 

[jorats]

Angel, many of us here have generalized anxiety disorder, I've got it but it's milder than most. You can work through this.
You can start with gloves if you like or use a towel. If you do get bitten, you might realize it's not a big deal and your anxiety might become a lot less. Our anxiety is fear of the unknown. Once you know, it might help and make you feel more confident thinking, I can get through this.

 

[lilspaz68]

My nicest rats often snatch at food, and at that age they are like rude teenagers. If they latch onto your hand, just let your hand go with them where she wants to go...eventually she will figure out you are not tasty Food and will let go. LOL It doesn't sound aggressive or territorial. Start with longer items of food and offer those, I bet she snatches them. Feed her like a horse with the flat of your palm instead. Or do not offer food from your hands at all, put it on their shelf or hammock and then there's no chance of getting nipped by mistake.

 

[Angel22]

I figured out why she bit me!!!!!!!!! :joy: My bf was in the room and shes never really been around him so that probably scared her! Which means it has nothing to do with me!!!! I just fed them and let me hand sit there waiting for her to come to the bowl and she sniffed it, stepped on it then walked away with some food! Im so happy right now! :dance:

 

[hopefloats]

All my rats will bite my boyfriend but I like to think i trained them to do that.

 

[Angel22]

Haha the only one that knows my bfs smell and voice is Ebony. My older two girls don't so that was what probably made her bit. Yay! I'm so giving the girls a treat tonight.