Two new ratties.

[Mikamoo]

I just got two new rats.
They are both Dumbo's.. And very cute females.
One has a grey mask, the other is champagne colored.

My only problem is the Champagne colored one(Rosalee) keeps biting :/ I've tried everything in the book to get her more active. Or at least not bite me. she stays at the top of the cage all the time, I don't even know if she's been drinking out of the water bottle so I put a small dish of water up where she stays. :/ I hope someone can help me make her life better.. She seems slightly depressed.
The grey masked rat(Mojo) Is very lively and active, doesn't have any problems, doesn't bite. LOVES attention, and loves the cage

 

[Dahlas]

If you just got them it can take some time for her to get used to you....
It is a good idea to put a water bowl in as she might not drink from the bottle...Try spending lots of time talking to her softly...and maybe offering her some treats...Seeing you interact with her friend will help her

I am going to move this to behavior....As more people will see it who will/can offer help.....

 

[Mikamoo]

Thank you, sorry I'm very new at this website :/

 

[Dahlas]

Thank you, sorry I'm very new at this website :/

no problem at all....I just wanted to make sure lots of our experienced members saw your post so they can offer some help.....
Welcome to the Rat Shack...

 

[Mikamoo]

Well, thank you very much.

 

[Mikamoo]

I would also like to ask everyone what the best way for me to bond with my rats is...

 

[ChrisK]

I just got two new rats.
They are both Dumbo's.. And very cute females.
One has a grey mask, the other is champagne colored.

My only problem is the Champagne colored one(Rosalee) keeps biting :/ I've tried everything in the book to get her more active. Or at least not bite me. she stays at the top of the cage all the time, I don't even know if she's been drinking out of the water bottle so I put a small dish of water up where she stays. :/ I hope someone can help me make her life better.. She seems slightly depressed.
The grey masked rat(Mojo) Is very lively and active, doesn't have any problems, doesn't bite. LOVES attention, and loves the cage

How old are your new ratties? Were they rescued? Do you know anything about the situation they came from? Had they been living together already when you got them?

When Rosalee bites, does she break the skin and cause you to bleed, or is it more like a nip? Some rats are nippers and don't mean harm by it. It's also possible that Rosalee is still somewhat unsure.. still adjusting to her new home.

Is she puffy and listless?

I agree with Dahlas. Speaking to them in a soft voice helps. And spending as much time near them or with them as you can for a while. I usually tend to all the creature comforts first, and then start coaxing them to interact with me by putting small bits of tasty treats (cooked veges or fruit or rice cake) in the palm of my hand, and holding it near them, so that they will come to me and eat from my hand. It helps to build trust.

Having something in the cage they can hide in, to feel secure will be helpful too. I use empty tissue boxes with the plastics removed. (so it's all cardboard only)

It can take time for rats to settle comfortably in a new environment. How long have you had them?

and congratulations!! and welcome to the Rat Shack!!

 

[Mikamoo]

I've had them for about two weeks.
I don't know how old they are, or where they were from.
Sadly, I couldn't find any rat breeders around my *crappy* town, but I got them from Petco.
I know that is a HUGE mistake on ANY rat owner, but that is where I got my rats from two years ago from, and they never bit me :/
I Just feel like she's unhappy, and I don't want to hurt her in any way. She does like to chew on the cage bars, and on the parts of the cage period.
She does have a hut that she shares with the other rat, but for some reason she REFUSES to leave the top of the cage.
I'm very scared to even put my hand in there, so I've been thinking about getting some small gloves, or maybe some hand protection.
No, she didn't cause any horrible damage, like blood or anything, but it was a bite. And it really did hurt
I have been spending time with my ratties for a while, I just didn't know what to do with her.

 

[jorats]

If she's from a pet store, I would think that she's a younger rat, probably under 3 months. I would encourage you to socializing your girls a lot. When you pick up your girl, make sure you scoop under her with two hands. I like doing the "down the shirt" trick. You put on a sweatshirt over a tshirt and put the girls in between. Keep them in there for an hour and do this several times a day. The girls will bond to your odour and will enjoy the comfy cozy dark spot. Hand your girls treats like cheerios so she can relate hands and fingers to good stuff.

 

[Mikamoo]

Well, thank you very much! I took little miss Rosalee out of the cage today, with gloves... (cause I was scared of her teeth lol) and she did well, she was very happy to run around. I always keep their cage open, and made them an outside area. I could post pics later I suppose and you guys can tell me what you think I should do. My brother is going to make them a hammock, and I Was wondering if they could have fleece and what not. But, overall she seems much more happier since I've gotten her out of the cage. Maybe I shouldn't be so afraid of her nibbles. haha.

Thank you tho, I really do appreciate all of you guys help!

 

[ChrisK]

... overall she seems much more happier since I've gotten her out of the cage.

That's great news. :nod:

 

[jorats]

That's great, take her out a lot, talk to her a lot and always have treats. Even healthy treats like peas. Most rats love peas.

 

[ChrisK]

How is Rosalee doing today? :stickpoke:

 

[Mikamoo]

Rosalee is sleeping right now. I'm buying a play pen for them to climb about in, using old toilet paper rolls, and everything I've been talking to them, and giving them sunflower seeds. and I don't have pea's. but I really want to try the water and pea bobbing type thing
I think she's getting a lot more used to me being around Which is wonderful.