Two New Rats - But one is having problems

ShaShaBear

I got myself two pet rats from my local pet store. One I picked up on Monday 26th, and the second (her cagemate from the pet store) I collected on Thursday 29th. In the days I only had the first rat (Zoidberg), I knew I was onto a winner. Lively, curious, mad in the head and very affectionate. I was really excited about getting her cagemate so that she wouldn't be lonely when I was at college, or at night while I was asleep.

Picked Lemmiwinks up Thursday afternoon and it really has been downhill from there. She is stone terrified of me (despite being very perky in the pet store) and is very lethargic and quiet. She eats and drinks just fine, but every time I approach the cage to let them out for a run, Zoidberg is hanging off the bars waiting to climb out, and Lemm buries herself in her bedding and literally will not move unless I take the cage apart, then she gets out and climbs under the throw on the couch.

I tried "forced socialisation", which resulted in her pooping and peeing ALL over me for a solid minute until I put her down. So I've been trying gradual. I sit on the couch when I let them out, with arm spread so she has to walk over me to get anywhere. She will approach, lick my fingers, nibble on my nails, and gets about halfway up my arm before she runs. If I reach out to pet her and she has nowhere to run, she actually lies down and plays dead - ears back and eyes half shut. I don't stop petting her, I try to continue as long as possible to assure her my hand only means nice things. She'll also take liquid or solid food from my hands without any problems. She has never bitten me or even attempted it. Zoidberg will climb straight onto my shoulder and proceed to groom my neck or hair before going for a nap.

Z has taken the dominant female role, there have been a few scuffs and attempted sexytimes (poor Lemm ) but otherwise they seem to get along great together.

I know it can take a month or even months for some rats to become trusting, I'm just really worried about her and afraid my efforts are making it worse instead of better.
Any advice on making things easier for her would be great - I feel really guilty playing with Z and leaving Lemm in her cage

Cherry Blossom

Leave the cage open and sit at the opposite end of the room, do not attempt to force anything on her. Once she's at the stage where she will approach you of her own free will (not because she has to, to get anywhere) try throwing food in her general direction. Hands off, completely she decides if and when she makes physical contact, and don't grab/pet at her when she does. And no taking the cage apart - your acting like a predator on the hunt for it's dinner.

Great pet shop staff, they really did a great job there :rolleyes:.

ShaShaBear

I have to take the cage apart to clean it, which is when she gets out, I don't actually try to disturb her out of badness :rolleyes:
I know they're more lively at night, started cleaning the cage out there at 11PM, Z was running around the couch playing, then ran across the bridge I made to the PC desk and stole some chips from my plate. Lemm literally dragged herself out of the cage base, cuddled up under the throw on the couch, and went back to sleep.

Silverfish

I know there's a lot of difference between rats and mice, but all animals have different personalities, I had two mice and while one was super friendly and inquisitive, the other was positively anti-social.
We just let her be to do her own thing, until she was ready. I'd say it took about 3 months before she was the friendlier of the two, however she still gets the huff every now and again and won't come near us for a day or so.

A change of home is a big shakeup for small fuzzies, and while some adapt straight away, some are more cautious depending on their history / personality.

However if she is still like that with no improvement whatsoever, would you consider getting her checked out by a vet? Often animals who are in discomfort just don't want anyone near them.

Babz182

Sounds like you've tried trust-training, and unfortunately that's really all you can do with a rat like that. Have patience with her, take her out when you take out Zoidberg, maybe put one on each shoulder (a top that you don't mind getting a bit ruined!) and walk around with them for about twenty minutes. Give her some treats while she's up there, randomly offer her treats while she's in her cage throughout the day, and try to avoid feeding her through the bars.

Some rats are just naturally more timid, but there should be a bit more loveyness in this girl, she's just scared. I've got fifteen rats myself, and only one of them is like that, and she was a rescue.

ShaShaBear

Babz182 wrote: »

Sounds like you've tried trust-training, and unfortunately that's really all you can do with a rat like that. Have patience with her, take her out when you take out Zoidberg, maybe put one on each shoulder (a top that you don't mind getting a bit ruined!) and walk around with them for about twenty minutes. Give her some treats while she's up there, randomly offer her treats while she's in her cage throughout the day, and try to avoid feeding her through the bars.

Some rats are just naturally more timid, but there should be a bit more loveyness in this girl, she's just scared. I've got fifteen rats myself, and only one of them is like that, and she was a rescue.

Coincidentally enough, since I stopped putting wood chippings into the cage, she's really improved. Stupidity on my part, there was probably dust in it making her poorly. She's still hesitant to approach but she's miles better now!