Newbie--And rats

[Is_me]

Hi,
I am Is_me. Well thats my username anys...lol!
I am new to this forum and I have two beautiful boys named Brian and Hewgo. Brian is the friendliest of the two. He is a dark chocolate color with a white chest and tummy. He loves to snuggle and is just a darling.

Hewgo is the less friendly one. He is a mis-marked black hooded boy. Hew has never stopped screeching when I pick him up and tends to try and wriggle free. I tend to not want to bring him out much anymore because he is very hard to get back into the cage. He's a bit of a trouble maker too. Loves to jump on poor Brians back and pin him to the ground. Although Brian does get his own back too    .

They are both such ratscals. It has taken me 3-4years to get them. I only really wanted one though. I feel that if I had of had one only, I would be able to spend more time with them. I feel sorry for Hew when I let Brian out. But I really cant catch him once hes out and it tends to stress him out too much  so I rarely bring him out anymore except when I give the cage a thorough clean.

Any's thats my ratties for ya. Hope to hear some lovely stories here and learn lots from you guys.

Is_me

[xanterra]

They both sound lovely! You're going to post pictures, right? 

And it's actually better that you got two rats instead of one. Rats need the company of their own species, and no matter how much you play with one, it will never be the same as having a rattie friend.

[Mousie452]

Welcome. Thanks for joining and sharing your ratties with us.

Too bad for Hewgo being skiddish. Maybe you have a bathroom or small space you can use to let him out and try to socialize him without worry about him getting away? Either way, its good you have both rats. No amount of human attention replaces the need for a same species companion for a rat. Unless of course you plan to curl up and sleep with them, groom them with your mouth, and use your pee to communicate   All that stuff is best left for rat-to-rat social life. I find my one single rat sleeps around much more than the others. The simple lack of activity while in their cage is enough to make them more susceptable to respiratory infections.

[Mischief Mistress]

Aww you sound nice! I'm sure Hewgo will come around, don't give up! I've had a rat named Brutus ever since he was a little pinky and he still squeels when he gets picked up, he is friendly though. I'm sure you'll find some handy tips here to help you along!

Welcome!!!  

I'm Miranda by the way.

[Is_me]

Thanx all for your lovely comments. I really appreciate them.

I do let hew out in the bathroom when I am cleaning his cage out but he is veeeery skittish and scares me when I go to pick him up. I think sometimes I am hurting him, although I know I am not and that this is just Hewgo playing silly devils with me . I still love them both anyway for they both have their own personality.

Is_me

[Is_me]

Hi agian here is a picture of Brian and Hewgo.
Hope you enjoy them. I loooove rats 

[Scubbs]

Cute boys! 

Could you explain a little more how Hewgo is skittish?  Have you tried daily socialization sessions?

[JR1030]

Aw, they're so cute!  I've had a squealer in the past, too.  I just took him out anyway.    I figure even if he protested, it was better for him to come out.  He liked it...just a little trouble with transitions.  Don't give up!

[Kita]

What handsome boys! They look so cuddly
And don't give up with Hewgo. We had a squealer, too (he actually looked a lot like Hewgo, only our boy was an agouti); it just took a lot of time and patience (and love) to get him to stop being nervous (and we have three right now that we just adopted who are in need of socializing; when we have them out, they try to run away.) Have you tried petting him or offering a tasty little treat before picking him up? And outside the cage, maybe offering him a hiding place - like in a sweater you're wearing or a plastic igloo/wood house - will make him feel a little more comfortable.
Good luck!

[Is_me]

Hi again all.
Yes I am trying to socialize him. I do take him out and give him pats to try to get him used to my hand. I have been doing this for the past 6 months since I had him. When I get him out he still tries to run away and then I have to try and catch him to get him back in his cage. I feel sooo aweful doing this because it only worsens his anxiety and stress of me. But I will try and keep going. maybe one day he will get better.

Thanx for the comments on the boys 

Is_me

[wonderrodent]

WELCOME to the forum!  Brian and Hewgo are lovely!