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Hello ! I just adopted two 8 weeks old female rats, and i would like some tips on how to make them more friendly. They are really really shy ; it's strange, cause when i put my hand at the cages entrance, holding a treat (they hate cheese, btw, and they seem to like bread crust more than anything else - go figure), they come and eat it. But if i move an eyelid, or if i take a deep breath, or even if i slightly move a shoulder, then it's total panic for them : they run away at lightnings speed, and go hide in their shoe box. What can i do ? Is it a good idea to get rid of their shoe box, for example, during the day, so that they cant hide and have to adapt ? I would put it back during the night, for example... I tried to let them go out on their own, well, they did, but it ended in a traumatic chase because they would not go back inside their cage on their own, and i had to grab them, which scared the poo poo out of them (they hid in a corner without moving for ten minutes). I really dont want to scare them, but no matter what i do, they freak out... Help !
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Jul 17, 2010 19:00
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| # ¿ Apr 29, 2024 17:04 |
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Thank you very much ! I can't see me putting one of them on my shoulder or in a sweater pocket for now though, they are so jumpy (literally - they jump like freakin kangaroos), i would be scared they'd go the suicidal route ! Ill just keep giving them treats the next few days and see if trust builds up i guess before trying to carry them around...
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Jul 17, 2010 22:24
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Well, today i used the "forced socialisation" technique, and it was incredible to effectively see that, after 20 minutes, precisely, rats do indeed calm down and stop trying to jump or climb or panic ! But really, it was amazing to witness : 20 minutes, no more no less, and they finally stood still on my shoulder while i was walking around. They didnt even pee or poo poo on me. Nice moment ! I could even take pictures. Ill do it everyday from now on, and see where it gets (as i put them back in their cage, they still washed like there was no tomorrow). Bishop :  Warwick : 
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Jul 22, 2010 15:09
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Thank you ! I'm really surprised, they are my first rats ever, and i didnt think i could be so fond of them. They are really the cutest, nicest and funniest pets ! Question : when will they be "full grown ups"? They are maybe 9 weeks old, will they get much much bigger ?
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Jul 23, 2010 09:13
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Ahah, both of my rats also sleep on their faces ! It's half cute, half psychotic.
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Jul 26, 2010 11:48
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| # ¿ Apr 29, 2024 17:04 |
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Okay, just more pics of my two crazy girls !    They are very cute. Now they stay on my lap, completely still, while i pet them, it's quite a nice sensation, but i dont know if they stand still because they are frozen scared, or because they are frozen in love. Still, i guess it's a nice improvement, cause before they wouldnt stop running everywhere during the first 20 minutes i would get them out of their cage.
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Jul 29, 2010 11:14
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