Gettting them out of their cage

[Jasmine08]

So we`ve had the girls about a week now and only Bella will come out of her cage willingly and even then its just to run on the top then run straight back in her cage. They don`t seem scared of us they approach the cage when I talk to them and if I put my hand in the run over and lick or smell me. I`m just trying to convince them to come out without having to reach in and grab them. When I do that they sometimes run and I feel bad doing it. Is this just something that will eventually happen on its own or is there something I should be doing When they come out? Fish just sits on me the whole time hiding behind me or in my shirt. Penny runs everywhere and explores and Bella runs around us and on us, but doesn`t actually leave us to explore. How can I make them more comfortable. They like the livingroom best, but if I bring them into my room they all hide or run back into their cage.
ETA I do take them out several times a day regarless, but wonder if I am going to fast for them and should leave them be.

 

[Jasmine08]

I also have noticed their food is empy really quick and I thought they were eating it all and kept giving them more lab blocks. Then I just realized they are hiding all the lab blocks under their bedding. So now they have a ton of food in their cage. LOL

 

[Joanne]

Do you have a cat?
My rats do not want to leave the cage area at home because I have two cats, and they can smell them.
When I take them to the cottage, they run all over the place! (The cats do not come to the cottage.)

 

[hopefloats]

My rats are more comfortable in the room they are used to. So when I take them to another room they are not a big fan of it at all. Have you stuffed these girlies in your hoodie? On your shoulder?

 

[SQ]

ratties love to stash food LOL

 

[Jasmine08]

I do have a cat, but she is used to small animals and pays them no attention at all and most of the time I put her away anyways if I have them out. The dog wonders around when they are out though (on the couches) I don't let her near them could it be her? I do put them in my shirt. I don't travel aroudn alot though because they scratch the heck outta me when I walk around and it hurts!~

 

[Jasmine08]

wanted to add I do not let them run freely with the cat ever, I mean if shes in the house sleeping somewhere and they are on teh couches with us I just let her sleep. I just want you to know they aren't all running about on the floor together or anything lol

 

[sands]

Maybe the smell of cat or dog is enough to make the ratties nervous.

We used treats (rice puff cereal) at first to get our ratties used to our hands and an open cage meaning good things.

At first, we gave the treat if they came to the open cage door, then we gradually expected them to come out further and further until they would come out onto our laps to get a treat, and then run into the cage. Soon after that, they would eagerly come out. Now of course, nobody ever wants to go back in!

Good luck.

 

[jorats]

You could try having a set routine. Try and take them out in the same area every day and have it set up the same way each time. I have a few that are scared but do eventually come out of it... it's all about routine with them.

 

[Jasmine08]

I just moved their cage to the coffee table, and opened it up and right away two of them came out. The third is actually my hyper girl and she was too busy stashing food so she didn't. The other two came out and played in their houses I set up for them on the table and their fleece blanket for quite awhile. I think the other table I had then on is too high and it made them nervous. I also locked up the cat and the kids were all asleep so it was alot quiter in here. So I am going to set that into their daily outing routine. They get out in the am for a bit (sometimes depending on how naps go with the kids I babysit I don't let the rats out when they are here and awake), then the afternoon (if nap time is on), after supper to let my kids play with them for a bit, and now when the kids are in bed.

 

[Fidget]

If your cage is the type you can move to the coffee table then I'd move it onto my bed or the couch (wherever I was going to interact with them) the first few times and take the top off it and let them come & go from me to there as long as I could have them there.. Then I'd start transporting them that way but taking the cage away after they came out so they were just with me, but would provide some toys and/or treats and of course interaction to make being there fun. Rats are wary of new things, but they adjust really fast to fun.

 

[kscanuck785]

my boys and my girls are really different...
my girls have what we call the "bar magnet"...which means they are glued to the bars as soon as they hear me come in the room, they want OUT!!
the boys?
not so much.
they are over a year old now, I've had the 5 of them since they were little wee boys and they are just...not really social or wanting to come out and play.
I've done the same things with them as I did all my girls and I've come to the conclusion, that it's in their genes...lol..they are all related so the fact that they are all shy and not outgoing, isn't that surprising.
they come to me for treats and do come to the doors to see me but they don't care much about getting petted...lol
oh well, I just let them be, I know they are happy and taken care of, so it's all good

and ALL my rats have been terrified of my MIL, who has many cats and smells a lot like them...(don't ask...lol)
like other mentioned, I don't know how big of a factor it is for them in your house, to smell the cat?

what I'm trying to say is that not all rats will be the same, they really do have their own personalities