New rats, a bit hyper?

[sidefury]

Hi there!

I've recently gotten a pair of girls (confirmed after taking some pics for the Shack to confirm, lol) and they've been warming up to me quickly, where they both now take treats from where I sit by the cage door and gently take or lick my fingers.

When I reach in to play with them a bit though, they seem to still be shy to my touch and wiggle away, but then Tea (the braver one) would come and put her paws on my hand and groom it a little, as if wanting more attention? But then she'll move away again when I try to give her pets. What's up with that?? hahaha

I'm not sure if this was good or bad behaviour, so I didn't want to scare them or anything with my giant hand, but what are some ways I can play with them in their cages until I can get my room rat proofed to play in and such? Sorry for all the questions ;w;!

 

[dspch911]

Try scooping them up they really don't like things coming at them from above. The more you handle them the more relaxed they comfortable with you they will get.

 

[jorats]

Try rubbing their heads gently, to get them to become super hyper and popcorn all over the cage. That's a lot of fun when you do that.
I took a video a while back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ3IFY7wZSA

 

[sidefury]

Do you guys recommend that I get like a little fence-like enclosure so that I can have them run outside of their cage? After a cage escape from Coffee the first time, my parents are really adverse to having them out of their cage, but I know they need to be out and about for them to trust me and to exercise more. My bathrooms are both too small for me to really move their cages into, and my room has a lot of computer wires. Perhaps if I fence off the wirey parts of my room instead?

Or perhaps if I can shuffle them into a small box and move them to my bathroom for playtime instead, so that the cage isn't in the way of the limited space? I can't even fit my cage in my washroom, lol, it's so giant. D;

 

[jorats]

A lot of people will carry their rats to the bathroom for playtime. That's a good idea. Or you can create a coral type of playpen. Some people also use their bed for playtime. Put on a blanket and toys and let the rats run on the bed.

 

[dspch911]

When we use our bed/couch/etc we put down a table cloth (fuzzy side up/vinyl side down) just in case one of the boys pees - that way we're not always changing sheets/cleaning the couch - just washing the table cloth... towels and blankets work well too. Our boys don't jump off either - expect Oliver who tried to fly the other day from the top of our recliner.... crazy boy!

 

[sidefury]

I would love to do these things, but they're still quite jumpy and scared of me--I think I need more time with hand feeding them and getting them comfortable with me first. I'm afraid of being too forceful with them and risking them biting me out of fear.

 

[jorats]

It is very uncommon for rats to bite. If you want some bonding time. Do the down the shirt trick. Put on a tshirt and a sweatshirt over top and place them in between. Keep them in your shirt for an hour at a time and do this several times. Give them treats while in there. They will bond to your scent.