What do you think would have happened - "difficult" rats

[MissGuardian]

I´m just curious..
As some of you might know, two of my furbabies was very scared when I got them..
Edward still is farily scared, but after a lot of work, he´s calmed down enough to have a good quality life..
When I got them, specially Edward barely dared to breathe if I looked at him..
He´s a slight biter(not enough to break skin, but almost)..
I´ve had to work with him for hours every day for 6+ months to make him somewhat comfortable with being held..

So my question is..
What do you think the "average" rat owner would do if they got him instead of me?
I had absolutely no experience in scared rats, and there have been times where I considered giving him away to someone who could handle him better, or have him pts(I´m glad now I didn´t tho)..

If you want to, you an also post stories about your rats and what you think the owners would do with them..(it´s not my intention to be macabre or anything, I´m just curious about how the experienced(or very dedicated) rat owner handle difficult rats vs the average inexperienced one..)

Edit: if this is placed in the wrong section, please move it.. I wasn´t sure where to put it :emb:

 

[sketchi]

I don't think it comes down to "average rat owner" or "experienced rat owner". it's just types of people. it could be someone's very first rat, and if they cared enough they'd find ways around it. they'd seek out advice for where they lack in experience. then again, it could be someone's 7th, 12th, 100th rat; and they could just not be fussed to deal with 'difficult' rats.

just proper owners vs selfish owners! and a mindset of whether or not animals are important in themselves, rather than as an attachment to you for your personal enjoyment.

 

[MissGuardian]

I don't think it comes down to "average rat owner" or "experienced rat owner". it's just types of people. it could be someone's very first rat, and if they cared enough they'd find ways around it. they'd seek out advice for where they lack in experience. then again, it could be someone's 7th, 12th, 100th rat; and they could just not be fussed to deal with 'difficult' rats.

just proper owners vs selfish owners! and a mindset of whether or not animals are important in themselves, rather than as an attachment to you for your personal enjoyment.

I guess that´s what I meant with experienced.. That you actually cares enough..

 

[jorats]

I've always said that breeders are good for first time rat owners. Breeder rats, the good ones, are well socialized and reel in the average rat lover. Once you've gotten "bit" by the love of rats, then rescues have a chance.
But first time rat owners, I'm sure must get put off by unsocialized rats. They might put in the time and commitment but I'm sure they don't devote their life to their cause. There are always exceptions to the rule. But if my first rats were not fun loving rats, I don't know if i would have gotten more.
I had hamsters before rats. I cared for the two I had, once they passed, that was it. I vowed to never have a hamster again.

 

[MissGuardian]

I've always said that breeders are good for first time rat owners. Breeder rats, the good ones, are well socialized and reel in the average rat lover. Once you've gotten "bit" by the love of rats, then rescues have a chance.
But first time rat owners, I'm sure must get put off by unsocialized rats. They might put in the time and commitment but I'm sure they don't devote their life to their cause. There are always exceptions to the rule. But if my first rats were not fun loving rats, I don't know if i would have gotten more.
I had hamsters before rats. I cared for the two I had, once they passed, that was it. I vowed to never have a hamster again.

You are completely right..
If my first two rats were as "insane" as Edward, I´d probably not have a rat again..
I´m glad I got these ones as my second rat, instead of my first one.. But it has been very challenging anyway, since I don´t have a lot of practical experiences with even normal rats..
At the time(I guess I found out a few months after I got Edward and Stefan) I didn´t know there were breeders here, and specially not where to find them..
But now that I´ve found them, I´ll never buy at a pet store again..
If/when I get more rats, I´ll either get from a breeder or from someone private(rescues here don´t exist for rodents at all..)..

 

[PitLuvs]

Our Shai was our first difficult rat, the rescuer sent us photos of him all over them giving lovens and soaking up all attention. Well, when we got him home it was another story. Shai would hiss and launch at you, attack if you dared picking him up. I had bites so deep, you would think they needed stitches. Forget putting him near another rat, instant rat ball with major damage. Hands down of the 60 or ao rats I have ever owned over the last 8 years, he was the worst case. Over 6 months we worked with him, taking a treat without blood was our first success! Eventually, he became our friendliest rat and loved Joe to peices, and my son even more. I miss him the most, we only had one month of him being sweet before he passed away, and 5 months of rehabilitation. Shai survived an apartment fire only to be left behind for the cleanup crew to feed and find a home for him. We never give up on an animal with issues.

 

[adreabri]

My first two rats were so scared... they were from an individual who have over +17 rats and were extremely skiddish... my hands have horrible scars on my hands from those boys. They are constant reminders to what my boys were like.. It takes a lot of paitence and a special kind of person. I'm glad that I have a rough case to start out put things in perspective for you

 

[MissGuardian]

My first two rats were so scared... they were from an individual who have over +17 rats and were extremely skiddish... my hands have horrible scars on my hands from those boys. They are constant reminders to what my boys were like.. It takes a lot of paitence and a special kind of person. I'm glad that I have a rough case to start out put things in perspective for you

Yeah it really does..
And if you succeed, at least I, get a lot more confident.. "if I can get x to be less scared, I can handle pretty much anything" :lol:

 

[Joanne]

I guess I've been lucky in that all my rats have been very kind. Not that many of them sat/sit still for any length of time! But I'd be in trouble with a biter as I always give kisses without even thinking about it or stick my fingers through the bars or dip my fingers in something and hold it out for the kids. I'm glad you have the patience for them!

 

[MissGuardian]

I guess I've been lucky in that all my rats have been very kind. Not that many of them sat/sit still for any length of time! But I'd be in trouble with a biter as I always give kisses without even thinking about it or stick my fingers through the bars or dip my fingers in something and hold it out for the kids. I'm glad you have the patience for them!

The weirdest part with mine is that If I stick my fingers in something, he´ll lick it of as gently as everyone else does..
I think his biting is more "go away I don´t want to talk to you right now", more than he actually want to bite tho..

 

[smmmiley]

I guess I've been lucky in that all my rats have been very kind. Not that many of them sat/sit still for any length of time! But I'd be in trouble with a biter as I always give kisses without even thinking about it or stick my fingers through the bars or dip my fingers in something and hold it out for the kids. I'm glad you have the patience for them!

I am the same way... Miss Skrat with her nips really concerned me. And, not as much for my own hands, but my son's and his friends. I've seen some nasty rat bites and they are pretty nasty!

I luv, luv, luv our girls. My heart was taken over by them from the first moment we brought 3 home. I have researched online, bought books, joined Rat Shack, etc... That's why we now have 9!! Our girls are spoiled. And, I've started sewing... hubby got me a sewing machine for Christmas!

I have the patience, and the heart, but I worry about others. So, if I were to have a chronic biter....hmmm, that would challenge me for sure. I guess I would keep that rat separate from others and just do my best because if I can't, then how can I expect someone else to? I think it all depends on the situation/timing, etc... every situation is different.