Question for rat owners

[nicola_red]

My new baby rat (bought on Saturday) is proving very skittish and had taken up residence inside a hollowed-out coconut shell that I put in the cage. She comes out for food and water but if I move or even breathe the wrong way she flies back into the coconut. Should I remove the coconut to help her get used to us? I feel kind of mean doing this as she's obviously made a bed in there. I read an article on t'internet that suggests just sitting with my hand in the cage. Do any rat owners have any ideas or experiences on helping her get socialised? Also, can anyone recommend a good, comprehensive rat care book? I have had a rat in the past and do own one book but it's somewhat basic. Cheers all.

[New Forester]

Not fair to take away her only hiding place. Small rodents can die outright from stress of that kind (wild rats in live-traps often do). I suggest just being patient, and giving her time to get used to her new home. Give her interesting things to do. Is the cage away from general household bustle? Could be that she's stressed by this too.

[dragonfly]

Awww bless poor little thing rats are very social little creatures but when they are small can be quite skittish as New Forester says patience is a good thing, we have had quite a few rats and yes they do take time to settle in, we usually get them in pairs and you still get one that is more scared than the other.As long as they eat and drink then just leave them to settle. just go up to the cage a few times a day and open it and put your hand in and just leave it there for a while without moing it too much and eventually you will find that they will come to you. All the best x

[Pishdecoof]

It is natural for her to be frightened of you, and it is important for her to have a place to feel secure and away from danger in. Sit patiently with your hands in the cage, let her sniff them if she wants to. Do this every day for a few days, then once she is used to that, put a tasty treat in the palm of your hand and let her take it, if she wants to. Do this every day for a week. Then when she is comfortable with taking the food from your hand, start to stroke her fur. Again, do this for a week or so. She will begin to associate you, your hand and you stroking her with nice treats. Let her climb on your hand if she wants to. If you are patient enough, she will become tamer and will not object if you pick her up. But don't flap around her, just pick her up gently and firmly. You may find she will happily climb onto your hand anyway and you can take her out of the cage. You may need to increase the time scale for each stage, or you may find that she becomes tame quicker than expected. Let her do it at her own pace and you will in time have a fantastic, affectionate and amusing pet.

[nikki_iz_ace]

hi all, i have a very simular problem i have had a rat before who was very tame and got very attached to it...but sadly she passed away(that was a couple of years ago).... anyway on friday i'd brought a pet rat and it doesnt seem to be tame at all and evrytime i put my hand in the cage it attacks it....how could i tame it?

[bunny]

you don't really tame rats like dogs or cats you don't tell them off they don't understand. you just let them get used to being on or around you let them come to you that's the best way.

[doofah]

I disagree!! My rat, Bobby, had a little trick he'd play, where he'd sneak up behind Fi, my partner, on the back of the couch and pull her hair.

Each time I'd snap, "BOBBY!" and he'd stop and leave her alone - I treated bobby as I did my dog, and he was as intelligent until cancer took him.... Even patch, my little nightmare rat who refuses all attempts at friendmaking knows when I'm telling him off for biting.

okay so he chuckles and gives me a gesture.... but nonetheless!!!