Do my rats hate me?

[Evie]

I guess I'm writing because I'm a bit jealous reading other people's posts about how their rats lick them and cuddle with them. My girls, when I let them out of the cage, run around all evening and act as if I wasn't even there, unless I'm eating food or they're using my leg for a ladder to get onto the dining room table (to get to the food I am eating). Amelie hates to be pet (she's a rex so I coughed it up to her having just sensitive skin) and Isabel will squirm if I hold her for more than a few seconds. I've had fleeting moments where Isabel will sit in my lap and be skritched and when I visit my parents house, they will happily sit in my shirt and go to sleep but at my place, nah....I'm not their first home. They lived with someone else for a few months before moving in with me and all I know about that situation was that the owner was allergic.
Granted, I do cut their nails and give them baths and wash their hammocks when they would prefer them to be stinky....

So, do my rats hate me?

[sawyer_gota_gun]

Some females are just a bit more playful and like to explore rather than interact with their owner.
I'm sure they dont hate you.

[KoalaLou2]

I certainly don't think they hate you.  To them, its a matter of what is more interesting at that moment.  They feel safe with you and know they can go do what they want, explore and be crazy little girls.  They obviously trust you because they are comforted by you when away from their safe place.  Its their personality, not you at all.  My newest three don't really want to be petted and would much prefer to crawl up my face than to give me kisses, my older two give kisses in between crawling up my face.  But I know that they all love me and trust me and thats all that matters to me.

[P3]

The most definitely do not hate you. They sleep in your shirt? That's love. Girls aren't really kissy/lovey rats. I have one girl who will let me do whatever to her. I can cup her in my hands, kiss her belly, and she'll like my nose like crazy. The four other girls? Forget about it! Sophia will let me hold her. Sugarmama just recently started letting me pick her up. Boo and Pook won't even let me look at them haha. I have had to force love on three out of five of my girls. But it also depends on the rat. Some owners have really shy boys who won't ever kiss. I'm sorry hun, but know that they love you  

Also, they might run around and explore the room... but let something scary happen (like a loud noise) and I can bet you $10 that they'll all run right for you.

[WS]

That's actually pretty normal ratty behaviour. Especially when they're new, --or even just young     I also agree that most females (especially in their younger times)  are more interested in playing and exploring.   This doesn't mean they hate you. 

Not every rat is licky-and cuddly.  And some grow into this with age.  And remember -- to a rat, a few quick moments is a long time. So little moments of cuddling and scritching and lovey-dovey stuff is a long time to them -- whereas we'd like minutes of the stuff!

One tip I've learned over the years.. rats tend to warm up to the cuddles if you also let them have time to interact with you (sniff you, climb on you, explore, nap, etc.) without you trying to hold and pet them.   At least  some of the time. 

[ratgirl2]

I only have one boy who is licky and cuddly.  He will pretty much lick anyone who will let him.  All my other guys would rather be exploring than licking and cuddling.  Like you said, they use me more like a ladder than anything else.  Also, like KoalaLou said, they feel safe with you, they know it's okay to explore and play while they are out of their cage.

[gracie]

My previous girls never really liked to be held. They (almost) always came to me when I called them, though, and they loved using my body as a jungle gym. I certainly think that your rats love you, they just have their own way of showing it. They definitely sound like they're comfortable with you, and accept you as a part of their rat family.

[melikerats]

yeah, my girls, who are three months old, don't like to be held really, but i know they love me because they wont hesitate to climb onto my shoulder when i stand close to them. they don't seem to care that much about food though, i think it is the smell of my rat boys that attracts them to me hhahahaha

[Cigar]

If they're comfortable enough to climb on you and sleep in your shirt I wouldn't worry about them hating you. If they really didnt like you, you can be sure they'd fend you off. It's in their instincts to fear humans but it sounds like they're doing well.

I've had 2 females since December 07 and I'm JUST beginning to have a nice relationship with them. They were so difficult I almost gave up on them until one day during playtime they started willingly hopping into my lap and taking food from my fingers. Now I can sneak cheek scratches in while they're in the cage [their safe place] and a quick back rub while they're out and about. I still can't hold Poppy for more than 3 seconds but if I call to her she usually comes. Clover is more social and doesn't mind going for short shoulder rides.

Truthfully, once I brought my male home I melted. I don't think I'll have females again after Poppy & Clover because they're usually so independant. I love scratching Remmy's cheeks, napping with him on the bed, all of his kisses.. Once you go male you never go back.

[anita1216]

They love you, they just have better things to do than fawn over mommy Rats are all different, each one unique in his/her own way.

[starmaiden]

It doesn't sound to me like your rats hate you. It sounds to me like they're young females... and they got lots to do! I mention snuggles and kisses from my girlies, but really its only maybe 20  of snuggling and/or kisses at the very most! They usually get distracted and dash off after about 10 seconds or so! I really don't push the whole holding issue with my rats. Some rats just don't like to be held and many only like it for short periods of time. If they need socialization, that's a different issue because they do need to allow me to handle them for some things -- but I don't try to convince my rats to like something they clearly don't. For bonding purposes, I try to approach them more on their terms, by doing things they like (within safe reason) and trying to think/become more like a rat.

FWIW: Your hand can become like a rat to them. I play wrestle them with my hand and also get them to chase my hand. Sometimes, I will reach into thier cage and rest my hand beside them when they are resting...always making sure they know I'm there first so I don't startle them. They'll sometimes give my hand a little lick. 

[whtnyte]

No, they don't hate you. They are just too busy! My little 2 month old Sweet Pea...has turned into a BRAT PEA rofl! He's too busy for all that mushy spuff! But he'll climb all over me when I'm laying down, then run away from me if he thinks I'm going to grab him (which I do of course) just to see his "lemme go, lemme GO, gotsta PLAY, must run, must play" face hahahahahah.
His favorite activity is racing around the bedroom at light speed.