Will rat jump out of my hands and hurt himself?

[jannelleybean]

Hi everyone,

First time rat owner here! I just got two boys a week ago and have been trying to socialize them. I've been able to get Santana to crawl onto my arms and even up to my shoulder, but Brody refuses to, and he doesn't seem to like the baby food I try to lure him with. Instead of going onto my lap where the food is, he just crawls onto the floor and scampers around my room.

I've been getting Santana into my arms then putting him back in his cage with treats, but I can't do the same with Brody. When I try to pick him up, he wriggles jumps out of my hands. He's tried to jump from about a foot in the air, and I ended up having to make a little treadmill with my hands while I lowered him to his cage. On one hand, I think maybe he wouldn't do that if he didn't see his cage was close enough to jump to, but on the other hand, I'm worried that if I lift him up any higher he's going to jump, fall, and hurt himself.

What do you guys think? And should I keep trying to pick him up? Or should I wait until he crawls into my arms voluntarily?

Thanks everyone!

 

[jorats]

Hi and welcome.
Yes, a rat if frightened enough could jump from a great distance and hurt himself. How about offering him a box to crawl into so you can safely put him back in the cage or better yet, if it's possible, make him a ramp from the cage to the floor so he can go in and out at will.

 

[jannelleybean]

Hi, thanks for the welcome, and for the answer! Brody actually crawls from the cage to the floor all the time; in fact, when he sees me get near the cage, he waits at the door so that he can get out! He's the more adventurous of the two, and loves running around the floor. I was hoping to get him used to being picked up, but I understand that some rats just don't like it. Maybe this is the case with Brody. Thank you!

 

[mia9_28]

Try to take him in your hands, put him against your body where he feels safe, and walk away from the cage. He won't try to jump as much if he doesn't see the cage and might even cuddle up in your neck, as that is where he will feel secure if away from his cage.

 

[SQ]

It helps to wear a tight fitting shirt with a loose shirt over it and put both rats on you between the two shirts.
The inner shirt will protect you from their little toenails and the outer shirt will allow them to hide and feel safe.
You can sit around with them on you like this, petting them and talking to them.
They will feel safe and get used to you and your scent.

 

[jannelleybean]

It helps to wear a tight fitting shirt with a loose shirt over it and put both rats on you between the two shirts.
The inner shirt will protect you from their little toenails and the outer shirt will allow them to hide and feel safe.
You can sit around with them on you like this, petting them and talking to them.
They will feel safe and get used to you and your scent.

I will try this! Since Brody doesn't let me pick him up, should I get him into a box first and then put the box on myself so that he'll crawl out onto me?

 

[SQ]

It helps to wear a tight fitting shirt with a loose shirt over it and put both rats on you between the two shirts.
The inner shirt will protect you from their little toenails and the outer shirt will allow them to hide and feel safe.
You can sit around with them on you like this, petting them and talking to them.
They will feel safe and get used to you and your scent.

I will try this! Since Brody doesn't let me pick him up, should I get him into a box first and then put the box on myself so that he'll crawl out onto me?

You could use the box to carry both rats.
Then after you sit down pick up each rat and put them on you between the two shirts. Ok if they decide to come out from under your shirt and climb around on you.