I have a female rat who is around one and a half years old and I STILL can't pick her up. She used to have a friend but she died. When I first got them they were scared of me of course and hated to be touched. I tried to get them to like me but eventually I just kinda gave up, which I regret. She's getting older and now I feel like it's too late to try and get her to let me pick her up, but I feel like her life is so boring without playtime and without her friend. I don't feel like introducing a new rat will be good for her now, she seems alright by herself. What should I do?
Still can't pick up my girl
- Thread starter Arakui
- Start date
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SQ
Senior Member - Vegan for the animals
Rats who live alone are lonely, more afraid of people, often depressed and can be less social. In the wild rats live in huge family groups, they are social and need to live with other rats.
Introing her to one or two friendly rats (if you have a large enough cage) would enhance her life, likely make her less afraid and might help her to be more social with you.
Older rats often become more social as they age and it is important to spend a lot of time with her so that you are able to quickly recognize and health problems an get her, medical care.
This cute video shows why rats need to live with at least 1 other rat [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDy3bMRuobE[/ame]
Here is some info on doing intros http://www.ratshackforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32368 also see joinrats.com
Introing her to one or two friendly rats (if you have a large enough cage) would enhance her life, likely make her less afraid and might help her to be more social with you.
Older rats often become more social as they age and it is important to spend a lot of time with her so that you are able to quickly recognize and health problems an get her, medical care.
This cute video shows why rats need to live with at least 1 other rat [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDy3bMRuobE[/ame]
Here is some info on doing intros http://www.ratshackforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32368 also see joinrats.com
jorats
Loving rats since 2002.
Are you not wanting new rats in your life? If so then I recommend you keep her very close to you. Have her cage in the busiest part of the house. You don't have to pick her up, just give her something to look at and be interested like in foods or colours, noises...
Oh, no. I want more rats but I'm actually not an adult and can't buy new ones on my own - my mother doesn't want any more despite me telling her that she needs a friend or two - so I want to get closer to her. I want to be able to pick her up but she gets scared and looks like she will bite me so I haven't tried to pick her up in a while.
I have a large cage which used to hold another rat, but she sadly died from unknown causes. I felt really bad when she died, and I know that the one I have now must be super lonely, especially without interaction from me at least. I want to be able to hold her but she's so scared of me and I'm afraid she'll bite me.
Sheldon
Rataholic
Have you tried treat training? Associating you with good things will help her learn to trust you.
