Hi all,
I have a 7-month big ol' lump of a feeder rat, Eli. My friends gave him to me when he was just a wee lad. I don't know what kind of rat he is--he's huge with black spiky fur and because I have no idea where he came from I've often speculated that he might have a little "outside" rat in him. But what do I know.
Anyway, Eli was the most timid baby you've ever seen. He was afraid of absolutely everything. I slowly showed him that the world is not a scary place and he grew up to be pretty fearless. Of course, that's kind of the problem.
Eli knows his name and a couple simple tricks, comes when he's called (mostly), and is used to being handled by me. He has a big cage but he refuses to play with any toys--even ones that other people's rats seem to love. All he wants to do is run around the room, which he gets to do every day. He doesn't chew on books or wires, only my sheets (meh!).
There are a few things that I am at my wit's end about and I thought it was time to finally ask them on a rat forum and see what people have to say.
1. Even though I can pick him up, get kisses, play, etc, there are some incidents where he will climb onto my arm, hold down my hand, and bite. It happens so fast that I can't get away and usually comes out of nowhere--i.e. he was running happily around the room and all of a sudden he rushes onto my hand and chomps it. This is NOT exploratory or nipping, this is a malicious bite. I respond by screaming in pain and then sending him back to his cage ( a command). Though he technically knows the word "no," he seldom obeys it. I WISH I had the resources to neuter him but it is extremely expensive for the one vet in my area.
2. He won't play with any toys, and I've tried them all. He has a big cage and a nice little nap house, but he won't even run in his wheel anymore. He doesn't want to climb, chew, swing, jump, pick apart, roll, or flip over ANYTHING. His only wish is to run around the room, which I oblige, but I wish I could find something for him to play with in his own house!
3. I can't let anyone else handle him because he usually delivers a massive bite to them within a minute of handling. This behavior is also preventing me from getting him a companion.
4. He won't chew on anything but toilet paper tubes and wine corks and as a result his teeth are far too long. This is another situation where I've tried everything from cooked bones to dog toys and he refuses to chew. He bruxes a lot but I don't think it's enough.
I know every rat has their own personality and his shady background is probably responsible for more than a few of his quirks, but I feel like I could be doing better on some things. I wish I could get him neutered and I wish I could get him a playmate...is that even possible when he's still unfixed? I have heard that males fight a lot...
Anyway, feel free to let me know what you think about the little bugger. I love him to death but I'm tired of wondering when he'll bite me next. Thanks.
I have a 7-month big ol' lump of a feeder rat, Eli. My friends gave him to me when he was just a wee lad. I don't know what kind of rat he is--he's huge with black spiky fur and because I have no idea where he came from I've often speculated that he might have a little "outside" rat in him. But what do I know.
Anyway, Eli was the most timid baby you've ever seen. He was afraid of absolutely everything. I slowly showed him that the world is not a scary place and he grew up to be pretty fearless. Of course, that's kind of the problem.
Eli knows his name and a couple simple tricks, comes when he's called (mostly), and is used to being handled by me. He has a big cage but he refuses to play with any toys--even ones that other people's rats seem to love. All he wants to do is run around the room, which he gets to do every day. He doesn't chew on books or wires, only my sheets (meh!).
There are a few things that I am at my wit's end about and I thought it was time to finally ask them on a rat forum and see what people have to say.
1. Even though I can pick him up, get kisses, play, etc, there are some incidents where he will climb onto my arm, hold down my hand, and bite. It happens so fast that I can't get away and usually comes out of nowhere--i.e. he was running happily around the room and all of a sudden he rushes onto my hand and chomps it. This is NOT exploratory or nipping, this is a malicious bite. I respond by screaming in pain and then sending him back to his cage ( a command). Though he technically knows the word "no," he seldom obeys it. I WISH I had the resources to neuter him but it is extremely expensive for the one vet in my area.
2. He won't play with any toys, and I've tried them all. He has a big cage and a nice little nap house, but he won't even run in his wheel anymore. He doesn't want to climb, chew, swing, jump, pick apart, roll, or flip over ANYTHING. His only wish is to run around the room, which I oblige, but I wish I could find something for him to play with in his own house!
3. I can't let anyone else handle him because he usually delivers a massive bite to them within a minute of handling. This behavior is also preventing me from getting him a companion.
4. He won't chew on anything but toilet paper tubes and wine corks and as a result his teeth are far too long. This is another situation where I've tried everything from cooked bones to dog toys and he refuses to chew. He bruxes a lot but I don't think it's enough.
I know every rat has their own personality and his shady background is probably responsible for more than a few of his quirks, but I feel like I could be doing better on some things. I wish I could get him neutered and I wish I could get him a playmate...is that even possible when he's still unfixed? I have heard that males fight a lot...
Anyway, feel free to let me know what you think about the little bugger. I love him to death but I'm tired of wondering when he'll bite me next. Thanks.