new young rat--how do I raise her properly?

[Gary]

Well, in my attempt to find a pet shop rat that doesn't bite me, I bought a younger rat, hoping to raise it up properly. Who knows how the older ones were brought up. Makes you wonder.

I put her on my shoulder as I drove home because she was trying to crawl out of it's box, she seemed content there on my shoulder, even heard that bruxing sound. (is that good? or could it be nervousness?)

At home I hand fed her some lettuce on the couch and she gladly took it and ate most of it. Also hand fed her some other treats which she gladly took as well. She must've been very hungry!

So far no nervous poop! Interesting. Maybe she has no food in her tummy? Well, she does now, she scarfed every treat I gave her.

This batch of rat must be fresh from a breeder, they were out of stock just a few days before.

She seems a bit shy, which I imagine is normal at this stage, but not jumpy.

How does this little critter sound so far? Any tips on raising a younger rat into a fine loving playful adult rat?

[gabrielle1976]

 
if thats her picture she is very cute !!!!!!!
What kind of cage do you have her in and what kind of bedding are you useing?
just curous  
hope you can get some good advice here everyone seems very freindly

[Pantalaimion333]

She is very cute!!!

From what you said, I think you're off to a good start. She doesn't sound afraid of you at all-just needs a bit of time to adjust to your presence.

What did you name her?

[Gary]

Haven't thought of a name yet. I'll leave that up to my 11 year old daughter, she's good at coming up with names.

[Melanie]

What a cutie!    

Treat her like you would a toddler.  Everything is new and she needs your supervision and guidance.  Don't make her do anything she isn't ready for, and show her that she is always safe in your shirt!  Play with her daily with your hands and teach her games and how to kiss.  She will grow up to be a loving little girl forever in your heart.  

[Christy]

Sounds like you are off to a great start with her.  Especially since she isn't giving any "fear poos" and is eating right away out of the privacy of her own cage.  Many of my new petshop ratties would poo everywhere for the first couple of days and wouldn't eat if I was watching them.  Sounds like she's gonna be just fine - and she is a beauty too!

[Gary]

One game or thing she likes to do is play with a rubber band that I cut,  I dangle it like a string.. she just loves to grab it and chew it, but it doesn't get chewed up, it remains whole.  My other full grown rat liked it as well.

Play with her daily with your hands and teach her games and how to kiss.  She will grow up to be a loving little girl forever in your heart.  

[JulesDoug]

Gary can I ask did you take the 2nd rat back to the store as it was biting..or are you still persevering with that one..or have I got the wrong person completley!!

[Kitwo Coyote]

So far, she sounds (and looks) happily content! Keep it up!

[Gary]

Decided to keep her, see what happens in the next several months. But I certainly won't be touching her! Although I want to, but she's just too jumpy right now.

Gary can I ask did you take the 2nd rat back to the store as it was biting..or are you still persevering with that one..or have I got the wrong person completley!!

[Ali]

You might (hopefully) find that having a couple of socialised, outgoing rats as company will eventually bring your biter out of her shell and help her realise that she can trust you too.

I'd still recommend trying to handle her or touch her occasionally (with gloves if necessary) and continue with the trust training. You've still only had her a very short time and need to be patient with her. If she's left to her own devices permanently chances are she'll never come round to you, and that'll be sad for both of you.

Your new girl looks a complete sweetie!!