Post by Mil on Oct 30, 2011 12:49:24 GMT -5
Sarah Kish
I adopted two rats from a pet store ( a lady dumped them off) so I took them home to take care of them and love them. My rat Gus Gus is so sweet and affectionate and loves to play and snuggle and hang out with us and the other pets, but Fival ( my other rat) is very skittish and tries to bite when you touch him. I dont know what to do, I have tried all different ways of coaxing him into my lap, tried petting him while in his cage, and nothing is working. Help!
about 9 months ago
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Janey Chubb Saltzer
Oh my gosh, I love the name Gus Gus!!! I am thinking of getting some rats here in the near future, and I really like that name. I don't have any rats yet, so I can't help you with your problem, maybe it will just take some time. Who knows what their life was like with the lady who just dropped them off at the pet store. Thank you though for saving them at the pet store!!!
about 9 months ago
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Sarah Kish
Aw Thank you!
yeah I always loved that name from when I was little watching Cinderella and all her little mice and rats ( the big one named Gus Gus) 
Rats are great pets ( I have learned) I never thought I'd own rats but when I saw them at the petstore I kinda fell for them! I have two now, and I plan on adopting a third rat in a few months. I hope you find the rats for you! They really are interesting and adorable little creatures about 9 months ago
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Janey Chubb Saltzer
I have been online all day looking for baby rats in my area, and it is pretty hard! Starting to think maybe I should become a breeder because there isn't any close to this area! When I do find a breeder close enough,, you have to get on a waiting list or they are already all claimed blah blah blah!!! I WANT A RAT! (or two, or three, he he!!) I did find a rat expo is coming to Reading Pa which isn't too far, and they will have rat breeders there and babies to adopt, just don't know if I can wait til March! But, I could look at it as that time could be prep time, to study up on them and get the cage ready etc. But I am thinking if I get a boy, it will def. be a Gus Gus! You need to put your babies pictures on your facebook page so I can see them!
about 9 months ago
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Sarah Kish
aw! Good luck on your search! I dont know where you live, but you could check your local feed store and supply to see if they know of anyone. Also craigslist sometimes has listings under "pets" I'm glad you like the name "Gus Gus" so much! Feel free to use it
He is my sweet rat, the other one is sweet and cute but he hates to be social or to be touched, the most I can get out of him is taking veggies out of my hands Good luck on your search!about 9 months ago
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Merika Dopler
Doing rescue alot this can be common, one good way to do it I have found is to get a syringe (no needle) and baby food, try a few flavors and find his absolute favorite use it as a reward and a lure to come to you, give it a few days of just coming to the door of the cage. If you need to wear a glove for the next few steps I recommend it, don't touch! just leave your hand at the cage door let him touch you, sniff and investigate and reward him for all the things you want him to do. He may or may not give a test nibble, try not to move distract with baby food if needed. Next step just lightly touch and reward him when he doesn't bite. Hopefully you can move on to light pets and rewards, this can take awhile to get him past and certain parts of his body might cause a nip regardless, I stick around the ears
Also can try coaxing him into a bonding pouch (or a small purse) if hands still make him nippy, make sure he knows its a safe place and carry him around your neck while watching TV or chores, if you do this do it with Gus Gus too as having company always helps. Hope these thoughts help!
about 9 months ago
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Sarah Kish
Thank you so much! they definately help! I have begun to do some of those things with fival and with gus and they seem to be responding well to it! Fival LOVES to be pet by his ears and if I put my hand in the doorway of the cage he comes up to it now! He's not quite ready to be picked up and carried around ( he squeeks and gets fussy) but I think we're making progress! Thank you so much for your help! I really appreciate it!
about 9 months ago
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Merika Dopler
No problem, glad to help bring out a shy rat
If he likes being scratched around the ears try to gently scoop and cup him in both hands just above the cage door and put him back down before he gets fussy and give him his reward of a scratch around the ears or his favorite treat, some squeek no matter how you pick up. And slowly increase the time you hold him, he'll get the hang of it. Good luck!about 9 months ago
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Zelda Queenofmars
I just rescued two beautiful 3 month old girls who obviously have not been socialized well. They act more like skittish mice. When I pet them in the cage, they freeze. They do not act curious at all and will not take any sort of food from me. They do not even come to the bars to sniff. They are eating and drinking, but not playing much. They are hiding more than playing from what I've seen. I picked one up and it let me, no biting, but freaked when I tried to cuddle her. What can I do to get them more friendly or is this a lost cause?
about 2 months ago