Holding fingers and throwing food?

[rat.queen]

So I have had two boys five week old rats for three days now, Volos and Vodnik, adorable boys. I bought them kaytee forti-diet blacks have them each four but instead of eating them they took all of them out of thier dish and put them all on the pan level ontop of the carefresh bedding, whats up with that, some are nibbled on and some are half eaten. Also they are starting to become interested in my fingers and hands, so when I go to pet them or let them smeel my fingers they grab with thier paws and pull me towards them. Sometimes they nibble but not always, whats up with that?.

 

[Godmother]

Rats almost always stash their food somewhere else. It is common for them to store uneaten parts of blocks in the litter box (just to make sure that you won't be tempted to steal them :lol: ). As for grabbing your finger, I guess they are just curious. They want to grab anything new to check it out.

 

[Jenfoxworth]

molly grabs my fingers all the time, and puts them in her mouth sometimes, but never bites. And she puts all her food and treats in her 'bed' I got her that she don't even sleep in.

I guess it looks more like a hording box then a bed to her.

 

[Brax]

They'll eat and then hide their food to finish later. Nothing to worry about. They aren't much for dishes.

 

[rat.queen]

Ok but should I take the peices they hid and place them back in the bowl, or throw them out. It says to give them each three blocks, but when should I refill the food, when they stash it just take all the peices or just refill it with new peices in the morning when I wake up?.

 

[Godmother]

No point throwing out good food. When I clean the cage I usually find a huge stash of blocks tucked inside one of the hammocks. I empty the stash and put it back in the food dish. The only time I wouldn't do this is if the food has become damp or dirty.

 

[rat.queen]

Oh ok thanks guys, also when do you think would be the best time to train htem to come to thier names. They are six weeks old today, not sure if age has anything to do with it, most likely.

 

[lizmo1221]

The sooner the better! I say names and give a half a cheerio each time I do it.

 

[jorats]

Each time you grab one and hold him keep saying his name over and over. That's how I get mine to know their names. But some pick it up a lot faster. Giving treats will also make it faster.

 

[Moon]

When they do the finger grab and run, I think they're trying to take me into the cage, LOL

 

[RatsForever]

Whenever I clean cages I always find food stashed in hammocks, boxes, and even in the litter boxes. :emb: I have a couple of rats who grab my fingers, not to bite but just check if a treat may be attached to those fingers. heh heh heh