mia9_28
Well-Known Member
Hello there,
I've got a very scared little female on my hands! She's around 8-9 weeks old, I'm guessing.
Her name's Saturn and she is Spencer's buddy (they are around the same age). Spencer is pretty social, although not extremely either and it seems like Saturn seems to follow Spencer a bit, so when Spencer comes up to the cage door, Saturn might follow to sniff my hands.. but that's it. 99% of her days are spent hiding under the fleece at the bottom of the cage, and she hates getting picked up, wont take any treats from me and tries to get back in her cage if I take her out. When she's out and away from the cage (like where she can't see it), she seems to feel safe cuddled up against my neck, but wants nothing to do with my hands and is terrified to explore. If I put her down, she will find somewhere to hide away. Even if Spencer is out and exploring, she wont follow her.. just hide away.
I know of the down the shirt trick, but I don't think it's necessary, considering she seems to feel safe on me... so what can I do to make her more outgoing? I've never had to deal with a skittish rattie before (except for those 15 Bathurst rescues last year, but I wasn't keeping them), as my rats were all mostly socialized when I got them.
Any tips and trick?
Thanks in advance!
I've got a very scared little female on my hands! She's around 8-9 weeks old, I'm guessing.
Her name's Saturn and she is Spencer's buddy (they are around the same age). Spencer is pretty social, although not extremely either and it seems like Saturn seems to follow Spencer a bit, so when Spencer comes up to the cage door, Saturn might follow to sniff my hands.. but that's it. 99% of her days are spent hiding under the fleece at the bottom of the cage, and she hates getting picked up, wont take any treats from me and tries to get back in her cage if I take her out. When she's out and away from the cage (like where she can't see it), she seems to feel safe cuddled up against my neck, but wants nothing to do with my hands and is terrified to explore. If I put her down, she will find somewhere to hide away. Even if Spencer is out and exploring, she wont follow her.. just hide away.
I know of the down the shirt trick, but I don't think it's necessary, considering she seems to feel safe on me... so what can I do to make her more outgoing? I've never had to deal with a skittish rattie before (except for those 15 Bathurst rescues last year, but I wasn't keeping them), as my rats were all mostly socialized when I got them.
Any tips and trick?
Thanks in advance!
