new rat (:

[rainbowcandyy]

hey there :]
i`m new here ;
and i`m also new to caring for rats


i want to get along with my rats ,
so what should i do :O ?

 

[SQ]

Can you be more specific?

If you check out the different sections, you will find a great deal of information on cages, toys, bedding, diet, free range time, etc.

Are your rats getting used to you? feeling a bit skittish?
Here is a thread dealing with frightened rats and trust training: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=10674&hilit=trust+training

 

[jorats]

Interacting with your rats is the most important thing, next to having a big cage and good food.

 

[rainbowcandyy]

ooh, i meant bonding with my rats

i just got my rats yesterday .
and they are a bit skittish .

thanks for the link btw .

and my rats are pretty aggressive o___O
is this normal ?
like sometimes, they`re cuddly
and sometimes, they`re being aggressive towards each other

 

[dreamwarrior]

do you have male or female rats how old are they?

and welcome to the shack

 

[Moon]

The aggression you are referencing is probably just playfighting or sibling squabbles, especially if they're young.

If you're not seeing blood you're ok

 

[rainbowcandyy]

i have male rats and they`re about 4 weeks old .
and thank you :]


and thanks moon ^________^

is there any other way to bond with rats besides using food ?

 

[SQ]

Try the

the down the shirt trick ...
Each time I get new rats, no matter the age, I take them out several times a day. I force them out, grab them and throw them down my shirt for an hour or so. Put on a t-shirt, and a sweatshirt and put the rats in between. Go read a book or watch tv and leave them there to bond to your smell. But... there are rats that for some reason don't ever become comfortable with their humans. But if you sit quietly, they will come to you and enjoy sitting on your shoulder. And to them, that's good enough, they are quite happy and content to have you talk gently to them and be their rat gym.

as mentioned by jorats ( viewtopic.php?f=22&t=8898&p=121175#p121175 )

and:
http://ratguide.com/care/behavior/training_playtime.php

 

[rainbowcandyy]

thanks for the idea !

what if they are usually running away ?


and for the bedding,
is it okay to use corn cobbing :? ?

 

[Moon]

Corn cob bedding usually isn't a good choice for rats.

Recycled paper beddings (like Yesterday's News) and Aspen wood shavings/chips are better choices.

 

[rainbowcandyy]

so would bedding like this http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10321153 be okay?

 

[eagle]

Yes, but it can be a bit on the dusty side. I would use the all white if you can.

 

[rainbowcandyy]

what is the difference between those two beddings :O ?

 

[rainbowcandyy]

okayy,
so i did the down the shirt trick
but they keep moving aroung and escape from my shirt .

is there something i`m doing wrong for this?