Do you interact with new rats right away?

bruxxy · Mar 18, 2008

I'm getting 2 boys soon, both of which are coming from a shelter and a rough life before that.

They seemed pretty docile at the shelter and other than being a little timid, there seemed to be no issues with aggression or being really scared.

So I'm wondering, when you get a rat who is coming from a situation like that and may or may not be used to human interaction or comfortable around strangers, do you give them a day to chill out and get used to the cage before interacting with them? or do you spend time with them on the first day?

jorats · Mar 18, 2008

I interact with rats right away, no matter the situation. I put the cage in an area that we are all around so that we are constantly talking to the rats and if they don't seem all that scared, I allow them to come out of the cage to walk around their area.

Willow Bean · Mar 18, 2008

I kind of base the first couple of days on each individual rat. If he is terrified of his new home, I like to give him 2-3 days to settle in and then start interacting after I clean his cage. I talk to him through out the days that I'm not interacting with him to let him know that he's going to be happy and about all of the fun we will have, etc. Just make him feel comfy. If they are just a little timid I would start interactions right away. And of course, if they are wanting to be out you should definately let them out for some play time! ^_^

Bronwyn · Mar 18, 2008

Yep, I remember those darn pet stores telling me to leave them for a week. Not a good idea. The most recent babies knew me better than their cage I think for the first few days, heh.

Godmother · Mar 18, 2008

With Bill, I gave him lots of time to explore his cage, but I went over to say hello every time I entered the room. I would open the door and let him decide how close to come. At first he would put a paw on my arm and then back off, but soon he was climbing out onto my arm. I'd pat him and give him a Cheerio and let him go back as soon as he wanted to. In no time he was comfortable being handled, although the poor little guy got more skittish again since I took him to the vet's to be neutered.