Unfriendly rat

[krazykayaker]

hello a few months ago i had a female rat (apparently about 5 months old at the time) 'dumped' on me by a girl i know who could no longer keep her.

ellie is a lovely rat and seems happy enough, but i cannot handle her at all - if i open the cage she will run onto my knee occasionally and sometimes i can get a stroke but anymore turns into a nip.

i have kept rodents before and made them handable, and i have read website after website and followed all the advice on being patient etc but nothing is getting through to her she just gets nervous and panics..she is not aggresive.

can anyone give me any more advice as id love her to be the kind who come out every day etc..if there are any rat keepers in durham who have spare time to come over and help me please let me know too

i juist want the best for ellie

[Amalthea]

Does she have a cagemate? If so, is her cagemate friendly? A friendly cagemate would help her see that peoples aren't all bad.

[krazykayaker]

no she is alone..i dont think she has ever had a friend. i'll post for another ratty friend for her

[Amalthea]

Well, rats are very social, so she is probably scared shitless being alone... I'd get her a friend or two and go from there

[krazykayaker]

i have posted for one - i did speak to our local pet shop about it and they had said cos she was an adult now and had never had a mate that she wud probably hate it, im thinking otherwise now

[Amalthea]

Careful intros usually end in a happy group of rats. I have never had to do anything with does, except put them together, honestly. Sometimes adult boys that have never had company can be difficult, but even then they usually go together easily.

[xlilyxx]

I had the same problem with buttons for nearly 4 months

All I did was keep getting him out, hold him even if he tried to run away and then gave him a treat when he went back home. Another thing to try would be to put a vest on then a Jumper over the top and carry her around inside the jumper with you. That way she will feel more comfortable around you, as you are a safe cuddly space.

Perseverance is the key, and trust me I know it is the hardest thing in the world, but now my baby loves to sit and have cuddle time

Something to think about is, female rats are not known for being restful cuddly animals. Compared to males they just will not sit still on you, and want to run off and play.

I really hope things go well for you hun if you need any help just pm me

[astrid peth]

i had two brother rats and one had to be put down so we got another, i'm not sure for females but they sized up to each other a fair bit, had one huuuuge fight and now live happliy together! and the best part it roles have reversed! rats belong in pairs/groups. get her some friends, she'll love you for it

[krazykayaker]

just to give you at update - I've been to see Saxon with my rat and she's not as nervous as i thought. got tonnes of good advise and came home with 2 new rattie friends for her!