/an/ - Animals & Nature » Thread #342844

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Anonymous Fri 21 Nov 2008 13:28:00 No.342844 View View Reply Original Report

Quoted By:

This little nigger right here is known to me as "The Grump".

For some reason, I just can't get him used to me picking him up. This is my first pair of rats, but I got the other one fairly used to me picking him up whenever.

I try picking him up and giving him a treat right away while he's still in my hand, but he still freaks out and struggles to get away. He's not afraid of me or anything, he's used to me and my hand and me feeding him and everything...he just doesn't like when I actually pick him up.

Any idea what I can try to get him used to it?

Anonymous

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Anonymous Fri 21 Nov 2008 13:31:00 No.342845 Report

Quoted By:

Also, most of the day he just seems to hide in one of his boxes or sleep. He comes out now and then and plays with my other rat, but most of the time he just chills somewhere hiding. Whenever I take him out and let him run around on me he just runs into my sleeve and stays there in one spot or something.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 21 Nov 2008 13:37:00 No.342849 Report

Quoted By: >>342857

you would be pissed off too if your name was the grump

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 21 Nov 2008 14:06:00 No.342857 Report

Quoted By:

>>342849
lol

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 21 Nov 2008 16:27:00 No.342865 Report

Quoted By: >>342898

he might still not trust you, or he may just not like being picked up. some rats are like that.
don't try to pick him up for the next while. put your hand in the cage and let him come to you. treats are always a good way to bribe him over. he should eventually learn that you're no danger to you and he might let you hold him. another thing to do once he's used to you is to tickle him. it sounds silly but it works, trust me. gently flip him on his back and tickle around his belly and armpits. if he enjoys it he'll wiggle around but he won't be struggling to get up. rats do this to each other when they play, and it helps build trust and affection.

but then again he might just not like being held.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Fri 21 Nov 2008 19:03:00 No.342898 Report

Quoted By: >>343039

>>342865
there is a great video on youtube of rat tickling where a scientist/rat dork is using a high frequency pitch monitor normally used for hearing bats to hear his rats. they laugh while tickled.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 22 Nov 2008 02:17:00 No.343039 Report

Quoted By:

>>342898
i know. it's adorable :3
i work at a pet store, and i always tickle the baby rats. it's really good for the store too, because the little ratlets become really well socialized and familiar with hands and they want to play with all the customers that come near the cage. we've sold more rats than ever.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 22 Nov 2008 03:31:00 No.343066 Report

Quoted By:

Instead of trying to hold him in your hand and pet him I think you should just get him used to being next to you. Try picking him up and putting him on your shoulder. Most rats love just chilling out on someone's shoulder (especially if you happen to have long hair, it's great to hide under).

If he doesn't like your shoulder try your lap. Or just lightly pet him. Mostly it's just going to take time for him to get used to you and being around humans. Don't feel like you need to be holding him in your hands though, a lot of rats just don't like that.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 22 Nov 2008 04:33:00 No.343090 Report

Quoted By:

I've had some rats that NEVER got used to be held. It doesn't mean they don't like you, it just means they don't want giant hands lifting them up up into the air.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 22 Nov 2008 21:52:00 No.343356 Report

Quoted By:

I've had my three girls for about a year now. One always expects to be picked up, the other one is alright with the idea. The last one wants nothing to do with the idea and will squeek and fight to get out of my hand. However, she will turn right back around and climb on my lap and my shoulders and so one so forth.
It's sort of a "It's okay if I touch you, but don't touch me okay?" deal.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Sun 23 Nov 2008 04:29:00 No.343490 Report

Quoted By:

Some rats take longer to get used to you, and some will never enjoy being picked up. Keep handling him and cuddling him and he may eventually tolerate it. One of my girls took a long time to get used to being picked up regularly, but after lots of handling she's become a lot quieter while doing so.

Also, rats are nocturnal so they're generally sleepy during the day. If things are going on in the room they usually wake up and check out what you're doing, but otherwise they usually curl up and sleep.

Pic related, they're my babies. <3

Anonymous

Anonymous Sun 23 Nov 2008 10:09:00 No.343640 Report

Quoted By:

ive been having the same thing with one of my rats. had her for a few months. when i first got her she did the same thing. she was fine until we moved recently. then she got all anti social and weird again. she got over it though. use food to gain trust. just interact and play with him more.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sun 23 Nov 2008 10:46:00 No.343654 Report

Quoted By:

Is that a shadow or does he really have a little brown stripe across his back?

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