When will my new rat stop biting me!?

[Gary]

I'd like to know when this new rat of mine will stop biting me!? Had it since Saturday (4-13) I'd just  like to know what it's thinking. Is it scared? I had my hand in there this morning, in a non threatening way, just kind of up in the air, and it stood on it's hind legs sniffed my hand and bit it hard! It also seems to like chewing things, on it's cage,..etc.
I was bleeding for a few minutes...even squirted on some Bactine.

What should I do? Just leave her alone? Pick her up everyday?

Thanks, -Gary

[kmw]

It could be that she doesn't know she's hurting you.  What do you do when she bites, or attempts to bite you?  Pull your hand away and yell ouch?  Unfortunately, rats don't understand "ouch"  Try making a rat sound - don't laugh, it works.  When rats have had enough, they make a high pitched, sharp "Eeep" noise.  I know it's hard to remember when you're bleeding, but if the rat tries to bite, eep at her.  My latest rat was a bit of a grabber - used his teeth, and I spent a good two weeks "eeping" at him.  Now he carefully grooms my fingers and ears  You may also want to not put your hand in the cage at all.  Rest it outside of the cage, with food in your palm.  

[rogermerriman]

I`m sorry to hear you are having a rough time with your rats. I would try treats plus slow movements also I would try not to position my hand above her. It could be read as a threat, try low with a treat with calm low voice. Other things of note rats are calmer in darker rooms, also they are not at all keen on open spaces. Do not worry you will win them over.

[michiganratter]

definitely treats - try frozen peas. don't put your hand in there without one. Pretty soon she (he?) will associate your hand with food and treat it with the utmost respect.

John

[WeeRaffins]

Moving slowly will definatly help (if you aren't doing so already.) I think that animals can sense when you're afraid, so act confident, yet kind in your rattie's presence. And supply her (him?) with treats! Good luck, and keep us posted!  

[michiganratter]

And of course, you could try biting her back. See how she likes it.  

[em]

Absolutely - they definitely know when you aren't totally certain of yourself! I have four white females, only two of which consent to being picked up on a regular basis. The other day I went to pick up one of the babies (which is ok) but accidentally got Daphne (cos they're all white!). Now Daffers hates being picked up and normally fights it like a demon, but I think because I was expecting to be able to pick her up with no trouble, she let me pick her up! It's all in the mind - when I was consciously trying to be confident about picking up Daphne, she sensed that I wasn't. As soon as the element of uncertainty was removed, she sensed that and just went with it.

So just be as confident and as natural as you possibly can! Don't worry, it'll come in time. Trust and mutual respect take a while to build up and it won't all be plain sailing, but you will get there eventually.

Good luck  

[JulesDoug]

Maybe just try waiting for them to come to you I guess some rats just dont like having their space invaded..frozen peas at the cage door worked for me...don't worry its still early days.
Jules Babs n Bonnie

[Anna]

I've used peanutbutter in the past since they have to sit at my finger and eat it, rather than taking it and running.
She'll get over it in time.
Anna

[Ali]

Yep, yoghurt on a finger works well too.

[fusche]

I heard that pregnant females bite.  Maybe your rattie is prego.

[threehorses]

I'm having just about the same problem with a male rat I bought as a pity mission.  I know, I know.... but he was old and a pretty buff rat, and he actually climbed on my shoulder in the store.  Don't tell me I'm the only sucker here!  

So when I brought him home from his glass environment (very quiet) to our active house, he was of course terrified (swaying, hunching, squealing).  But in a few days and some gentle talking he was better and even would take food from my hands.  I have a feeling his site is pretty poor (red eyed buff) btw.

Then one day, when he was seemingly interested and we had a wonderful bond the day before, I put my hand in slowly as usual and he lunged and bit a good scream out of me (my poor husband thought the worst).  Of course I cried not so much because of the pain in the finger but in the heart.  SO I changed our plans.  I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing...

I don't let him take food through the bars as I have now noticed that he'll lunge for the food (maybe he thought my finger was the food as he was neither distressed before or after the big-bite incident).  I've tried the non-stealing feed like applesauce and yogurt.  He's taken a few very LONG pieces of feed from my hand, too.

Now he comes up to the bars very interested, climbs on the bars and stretches and yawns with his belly exposed to me (which I take as a very good sign) when I come up to his cage, and likes for me to blow on his face.

He's let me touch him through the bars a few times, tho he turns to see what's going on.  BUT he'll try to grab my fingers extremely quickly with his little rattie hands.  Is this particular bit a good thing or bad?

I've had a feeling he's wanted to play, but geesh.  I'm still having a hard time with my finger from the last bite.

Does anyone have any suggestions from this point?  Do you think the grabbies are ok?  Any experience-tales are welcome.

Thanks again!
Nat and the rats

[josiephine]

Now that it is July, how is your problem??
I have a rat name Cleo.  She was brought back to the pet store because she bits. I bought her home and have been working on her for the last few months.  She understands when I say 'don't bit'.  I have worked on get her to my hand and have petted her a few times.  I really think she had a stuburn streak. I got nip yesterday but I usual don't get bit.. it comes and go. I'm the only one that will work with her.  

[Suebee]

Not only is is July, it's July 2003!

I would hope it's healed by now...

[josiephine]

So I year late and dollor short. Sue me..
I didn't look at the date.  Still wanted to know how it was doing or what..

[Wolfchan]

Looks like his account no longer exists.  Oh well.

[Suebee]

Somewhere along the line, he deleted his account. No idea what prompted it, nor when it was done. Since the post is well over a year old, we probably will never know.

I guess there's no real point in continuing the thread, so I may as well lock it.