Moon's Graden

by **pastorwalte** » Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:54:02

Hello, I just got my first rat, a beautiful baby girl. I don't know
how to make friends with her! At first, I tried putting food in my
hand and letting her come and eat it, but then I keep reading about
how important it is to handle young rats so they get used to humans.
Since she mainly stays in her nesting box, I've had to fish her out.
Then I hold her and let her run around my lap. Am I doing everything
wrong?

by **Mark Gerke** » Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:20:10

Well so far you are doing most things right. Getting the little fury one out and
keeping her with you is very good. Find an oversized T-shirt or maybe a robe to
put on, then place her in between your normal cloths and the oversized shirt and
carry her around. This will tickle at times but gets her use to thinking of you
as a safe place. As the bonds grows she may want to explore more so keep a watch
and "Rat Proof" a place that you want to let her play in. Time out of the cage
is good for her to get new things to smell and play with. Now as to what else I
would do. Always get two same sex rats so they have company and a playmate when
you are not home. A single rat can get to be a nervous wreck.
Mark
Owned by "Harry" and "Potter" at the moment

Quote:

>Hello, I just got my first rat, a beautiful baby girl. I don't know
>how to make friends with her! At first, I tried putting food in my
>hand and letting her come and eat it, but then I keep reading about
>how important it is to handle young rats so they get used to humans.
>Since she mainly stays in her nesting box, I've had to fish her out.
>Then I hold her and let her run around my lap. Am I doing everything
>wrong?

Mark G.
Of the Royal Estates
and "Pagan God of Food"

by **Marl** » Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:11:03

Hello.
I concur on getting a playmate. They're happier with others, less
neurotic, and taking care of two is just as easy as taking care of one.
You are doing stuff right, just spend time with her/them. Carry her
around, let her play and crawl on you. She'll learn fast that you are
safe and you are where yummy treats come from!
-Marlo

Quote:

> Well so far you are doing most things right. Getting the little fury one out and
> keeping her with you is very good. Find an oversized T-shirt or maybe a robe to
> put on, then place her in between your normal cloths and the oversized shirt and
> carry her around. This will tickle at times but gets her use to thinking of you
> as a safe place. As the bonds grows she may want to explore more so keep a watch
> and "Rat Proof" a place that you want to let her play in. Time out of the cage
> is good for her to get new things to smell and play with. Now as to what else I
> would do. Always get two same sex rats so they have company and a playmate when
> you are not home. A single rat can get to be a nervous wreck.
> Mark
> Owned by "Harry" and "Potter" at the moment

>> Hello, I just got my first rat, a beautiful baby girl. I don't know
>> how to make friends with her! At first, I tried putting food in my
>> hand and letting her come and eat it, but then I keep reading about
>> how important it is to handle young rats so they get used to humans.
>> Since she mainly stays in her nesting box, I've had to fish her out.
>> Then I hold her and let her run around my lap. Am I doing everything
>> wrong?

> Mark G.
> Of the Royal Estates
> and "Pagan God of Food"

by **pastorwalte** » Sun, 20 Apr 2008 11:35:56

Quote:

> Well so far you are doing most things right. Getting the little fury one out and
> keeping her with you is very good. Find an oversized T-shirt or maybe a robe to
> put on, then place her in between your normal cloths and the oversized shirt and
> carry her around. This will tickle at times but gets her use to thinking of you
> as a safe place. As the bonds grows she may want to explore more so keep a watch
> and "Rat Proof" a place that you want to let her play in. Time out of the cage
> is good for her to get new things to smell and play with. Now as to what else I
> would do. Always get two same sex rats so they have company and a playmate when
> you are not home. A single rat can get to be a nervous wreck.
> Mark
> Owned by "Harry" and "Potter" at the moment

> >Hello, I just got my first rat, a beautiful baby girl. I don't know
> >how to make friends with her! At first, I tried putting food in my
> >hand and letting her come and eat it, but then I keep reading about
> >how important it is to handle young rats so they get used to humans.
> >Since she mainly stays in her nesting box, I've had to fish her out.
> >Then I hold her and let her run around my lap. Am I doing everything
> >wrong?

> Mark G.
> Of the Royal Estates
> and "Pagan God of Food"

Dear Mark,
Thanks for your advice. I got her a friend, and I have been wearing a
loose sweatshirt. They even seem to be calming down a little bit.

by **juli** » Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:40:45

Hi,
Please get her another female friend ASAP. Rats are very sociable and get
depressed when they are alone! The more you handle her the better she will
be. I got a pouch from the pet shop. It was a brilliant way of getting my
rat used to being handled and in no time, she will become curious and come
out; let you tickle her etc. they love being petted. Dont worry if she
squeels when you pick her up, its a rats way of saying "oooh! where am I
going?what's happening?" you arent hurting her! but I'm sure you know not to
pick her up by the tail. If you get a pouch, she might just climb in
without you needing to handle her at first but I't weird. I was afraid of
hurting mine! If it isnt possible for you to get another rat you will need
to get used to handling her very regularly.

Oh and by the way, you are doing everything right:-) She's just a little shy
at the moment. My rats love mash potato and weetabix with milk but just a
little. and they also love prawns and ham but just a little too.

Good luck and have fun..
Julia
xx

Quote:

> Hello, I just got my first rat, a beautiful baby girl. I don't know
> how to make friends with her! At first, I tried putting food in my
> hand and letting her come and eat it, but then I keep reading about
> how important it is to handle young rats so they get used to humans.
> Since she mainly stays in her nesting box, I've had to fish her out.
> Then I hold her and let her run around my lap. Am I doing everything
> wrong?

by **Mark Gerke** » Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:53:48

Quote:

>> Well so far you are doing most things right. Getting the little fury one out and
>> keeping her with you is very good. Find an oversized T-shirt or maybe a robe to
>> put on, then place her in between your normal cloths and the oversized shirt and
>> carry her around. This will tickle at times but gets her use to thinking of you
>> as a safe place. As the bonds grows she may want to explore more so keep a watch
>> and "Rat Proof" a place that you want to let her play in. Time out of the cage
>> is good for her to get new things to smell and play with. Now as to what else I
>> would do. Always get two same sex rats so they have company and a playmate when
>> you are not home. A single rat can get to be a nervous wreck.
>> Mark
>> Owned by "Harry" and "Potter" at the moment

>> >Hello, I just got my first rat, a beautiful baby girl. I don't know
>> >how to make friends with her! At first, I tried putting food in my
>> >hand and letting her come and eat it, but then I keep reading about
>> >how important it is to handle young rats so they get used to humans.
>> >Since she mainly stays in her nesting box, I've had to fish her out.
>> >Then I hold her and let her run around my lap. Am I doing everything
>> >wrong?

>> Mark G.
>> Of the Royal Estates
>> and "Pagan God of Food"

>Dear Mark,
>Thanks for your advice. I got her a friend, and I have been wearing a
>loose sweatshirt. They even seem to be calming down a little bit.

I was sure she would with some good time with you, and the friend helps for when
you are away or asleep.
Now the only thing I can say to watch out for is over treeting the little ***
ones. I have to keep a close watch on myself or I do that with mine.
If you want you can see pictures of my rats and hobbies at
http://www.moonsgarden.com/
Mark G.

Mark G.
Of the Royal Estates
and "Pagan God of Food"

Moon's Graden

new rat, new owner

new rat, new owner

new rat, new owner

new rat, new owner

new rat, new owner

new rat, new owner

new rat, new owner