bonding..

[stormmidnight]

soi am a first time rat owner and just bought two baby girls . i want to bond with them but they are so skittish and always try to run away so i dont want to put them on my bed because im scared they escape .. any tips or ideas? thanks !

 

[jorats]

I would start with lots of "down the shirt socializing. Every day for an hour or so at a time take your little girls and put them down your shirt. You can wear a t-shirt and a sweatshirt over it and put the girls in between. They will soon relate your smell to a warm and cozy spot. Do this a few times a day and they will want to be with you in no time.

 

[stormmidnight]

wow never thought of that, thanks !! both at the same time?

 

[mamarat]

Yes and you can give them treats like cheerios inside your shirt.

 

[jorats]

I'd do both at the same time. Twice the fun!

 

[stormmidnight]

thanks for the advice

 

[fumblesquid]

I read that with hedgehogs you can put a shirt that you have worn (one that you won't mind them chewing and soiling) in the cage. This gets them familiar with your scent. I know you're talking about rats and not hedgehogs here, but I think it could help.

 

[jorats]

I read that with hedgehogs you can put a shirt that you have worn (one that you won't mind them chewing and soiling) in the cage. This gets them familiar with your scent. I know you're talking about rats and not hedgehogs here, but I think it could help.

Definitely!

 

[hopefloats]

My 3 boys were terrified of me. I would keep their cage by my and hand feed them treats. One thing I don't see mentioned here as much is playing. With the babies I have now I kinda make a kissing noise and wrestle with them. It seems if they play with you back they really seem to open up more. Babies love to wrestle and run up to you when hyper. Do the shirt thing but also remember to finger wrestle. My big boys moved on from playing but they wwill let me pet them for hours and they always groom me in exchange. Them baies I have now were terrified 2 weeks ago now if I even make the noise I see 9 babies start to wrestle and come running at my fingers it may take a few times to get them to accept you into their play group but when they do it is amazing. I srart it when I see them play, then I jump in for the games too.

 

[victoria]

I read that with hedgehogs you can put a shirt that you have worn (one that you won't mind them chewing and soiling) in the cage. This gets them familiar with your scent. I know you're talking about rats and not hedgehogs here, but I think it could help.

Definitely!

Beware that shirt may end up getting nibbled by rats though.

 

[stormmidnight]

my girls are to scarred to play with me i think . i mean when its out time they spend the whole time climbing up and down my head but they HATE to be patted .... or any sudden movements.

 

[jorats]

my girls are to scarred to play with me i think . i mean when its out time they spend the whole time climbing up and down my head but they HATE to be patted .... or any sudden movements.

That's normal, keep at it and keep interacting with them and that will soon change.

 

[hopefloats]

my girls are to scarred to play with me i think . i mean when its out time they spend the whole time climbing up and down my head but they HATE to be patted .... or any sudden movements.

That's normal, keep at it and keep interacting with them and that will soon change.

It will, i have found having my hands smell like good stuff, yogurt or something sweet but ok for rats, will help them lick your hands which in turns help them see your hands are not scary. Pretty soon they will eat your hands!