Poor little Kasa

[Poisoned]

I've never dealt with such a scared little rat. She loves having a buddy, and that DID help, but any time I'm in the room, she huddles up and tries to face away from me.

Now, the lady I got her from said she was ABUSED, I don't even know what that could mean, but she is SO scared of me.

I'm thinking I should give her space, and privacy, maybe covering the cage most of the way and adding more places to hide? I don't care if she ever LIKES me, but I don't want her acting like she fears for her life when I look at her. But if I peek in the room and she doesn't know it, I see her acting normal and eating, hanging out with Eve, as soon as she notices me, she freezes.

Any of you had luck with traumatized ratties?

 

[lilspaz68]

I would just keep doing what you are doing...she needs to acclimate to your normal life sounds. Try not to do anything extra loud but just live your life normally. Eventually she will stop flinching, freezing and bolting. Is she with someone right now? A nice socialized happy confident rat friend can make a huge difference in time. They will see them interacting happily with you instead of acting like you are going to eat them, they will eventually come up and sniff you, and check you out a little more, and in time may figure it all out. :nod:

 

[hopefloats]

Oliver was just like this 3 weeks ago. I have spent my time letting him run around on the couch with me. Bribing him with treats and sitting here waiting for him to come around. He literally trembles when I pet him on certain parts of his body. but that is slowly going away. I do not give him the cage when we are on the couch because he will not come out of it. I will however give him a box turned upside down that he can seek out comfort. Go slow with her, find a food she loves even if she wont take it from you now she will one day. You can let her lick stuff off your finger too that will help as well. In his cage at the beginning I left all of it covered except for the front so he could adjust. New houses can be scary.

 

[Poisoned]

Yeah, I visibly see her get a little less tense when me and Eve (the little white one) are interacting. And she sniffs all over her after I pet her.

I feel so bad for her, she's still young though, so I have high hopes.

 

[Sharlees rattakisses]

Butternubs my male naked has been with me almost a year and he is still quite timid and frightened.
he was 6 months old when I found him.
He will take treats from me but he hates to be held and hides during out time.
I still have hope that someday he will become less frightened over time.
I snuggle with him in my shirt and he seems to relax.
Maybe you could try that.
Kasa will be out but still feel safe.
I hope that helps.
She is a sweetie. :heart:

 

[Poisoned]

She's really crazy about the boy rats. I put her cage close to them and she perked right up and was running around while I cleaned the rat room. I also petted them and got their smell on me and offered my hand to her and she was interested.

Slow progress! I'm really glad she's friendly with other rats.

 

[Poisoned]

She, Lilith, and Eve all moved into a bigger cage yesterday. Even the first few hours there were no scuffles. They happily chased down crickets together and Kasa took a banana chip from me. I certainly have hope for her, she's very inquisitive just very shy.

 

[jorats]

Sounds like she's getting better.