rat terrified of humans

Before Christmas I adopted a lone intact male rat, Darwin, from the SPCA who was knocking on death's door. Darwin was seized from a home with other pets by the animal control officer. The SPCA first feared he would not be adoptable because he was very anti-social but because I've adopted other anti-social rats in the past, I decided to take him in. Health-wise Darwin has now made a full recovery with just minor myco - he's currently on Baytril. I had absolutely no trouble introducing him to other rats and not once has he ever made an attempt to bite me. The problem is that Darwin is absolutely terrified of me despite trying every single rat trick in the book to assure him that I am not evil. I've had rats in the past who were biters and/or were terrified of me but eventually they came around with patience and socialization. With Darwin, there is no coming around. He will snatch food (sometimes he grabs the food so quickly I get a nip but no blood) from me and that's about as close as he will get to me. If I do manage to pick him up (he runs away and and hides at every opportunity) his first reaction is to poop and pee on me. He won't even let me touch him without running away. You would think that I had abused the poor little guy. I've looked at other similar posts on this forum and others and read some information on the Internet about socializing (even the "forced socialization" with the towel) and trust training rats and I've tried many great ideas to no avail. He is still terrified of me.

Is this normal? Should I just except the fact that he just doesn't like people? I can completely understand - there are days when I don't like people either. :giggle: Should I discontinue with socialization and let him be?

Thank you.

Never stop socializing. I swear templeton and loki took MONTHS to like me. Then they never stopped. I have some boys who are a bit skittish of me, but I still pick them up and give them attention. Sooner or later they will come around.

Is he neutered?

Ya never stop trying even if there's no hope, you just never know when they might turn around. I currently have 3 boys and out of the 3, two of them i'm still working with after over 4months of having them. One of them has finally warmed up to me that he doesn't care if i pick him up or pet him, but he's not much of a cuddler and tends to do his own thing. The only time he runs from me is when he still wants to play lol! The other guy i have is a bit worse. He doesn't like to be held, nor does he trust my hands when I pet him despite i've always been gentle even when he was 6weeks old. He's never bit me, and there are times he'll come to me, and sit on my shoulder or legs but soon as i try to pet him or pick him up he does his best to avoid it some lol. He's only 5months old though, and he has ruby eyes which makes me believe he has a hard time seeing, therego he's more alert then my other boys. I believe one day he'll settle down and get used to me, just as the other guy has gradually.

I think you're guy will as well, and even if he doesn't at least you know you didn't give up on him and you still gave him a good home

.... as the others said, Darwin may come around ...
It is difficult as his friends have passed away, and as you know, lone rats are often less sociable and more fearful.
Has Darwin's sociability and fear level changed since his friends passed away?

Darwin is sure one lucky little guy to have you. Keep trying. One day, he might surprise you.

I agree keep trying but in away give up.....just go about life with him and the others as normal...don't react when he runs off, don't try to pet him, if he is there with the others pet him but if he darts off let him without any comment.... when you pick him up do it as less stressful as possible...One day he will come to you..

:yeah:
Totally agree with Dahlas.

SQ said:

..... It is difficult as his friends have passed away ......

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Dahlas and Jorats, a good suggestion, however Darwin is alone.

Ya maybe a playmate would help?

Never give up

SQ said:

SQ said:

..... It is difficult as his friends have passed away ......

Click to expand...

Dahlas and Jorats, a good suggestion, however Darwin is alone.

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Oh... that could be why he's like that? Can you get him a friend?

SQ said:

SQ said:

..... It is difficult as his friends have passed away ......

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Dahlas and Jorats, a good suggestion, however Darwin is alone.

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Oh sorry I did read that but thought he had lost his close friends but still had cagemates....


In that case I would keep him with me as much as possible....even putting him in a carrier and holding him on my lap or next to me while I watched TV (When you can't do the down the shirt trick)

I propose this with trepidation as I've never done it (I'm flat-chested) but I've heard so often how ratties will bond when carried around tucked in the front of a bra (worn of course).. Don't know if that is an option for you but maybe worth a try if it is?
For me what's worked best with kids like that is to put hideyhouses & entertaining things on the bed and a treat in every corner, and keep a stash of treats with me. I put the kid on the on the bed and lay there and watch TV in bed and ignore them. If they get curious and come to me I give them a treat and then ignore them. After a few requests for treats I start with one quick pat before they get it, nothing else. Next time 2 pats, etc etc... I let them call them shots as we go so it's ok with them, not invasive. I don't keep them there too long, my bedtime they go home til next session. Of course a couch works just as well..
I find they accept everything familiar, but have to become familiar at their own pace.

Thank you all for your advice! I greatly appreciated it.

Even when Darwin had cage-mates he was terrified of me and would never come near me but I wasn't really concerned because he had friends. Now that he is alone, I try to spend as much time as I can with him. Last night while I was reading I had him underneath my t-shirt - he just froze and pooped and peed on me. :sad3: While I'm typing this I have him on the couch with me (I'm trying Fidget's suggestion at the moment) but he's still in hiding underneath the blankets. Like many of you suggested, I won't give up and I'll continue to try to bond with him.

fftopic: As SQ mentioned, Darwin is alone. I was reluctant to mention this because I feared the backlash. I realize keeping a lone rat is not the ideal situation and this appears that I'm a terrible rat owner but emotionally and financially I cannot take in any more rats. Once Darwin passes I will not have any more rats until my currently life situation changes. When I adopted Darwin he was an old and very sick rat. The vet and I thought he was not going to live very long. But he proved us wrong. At the time I had three other old rats for buddies thinking they would all pass away roughly at the same time but Darwin made a complete turn around and has outlived them all. Many of you will think I'm terrible for keeping him alone and terrible for finding another retirement home for him (pets are for life). In the meantime, I am trying to provide the best loving home possible for Darwin.

Fidget said:

I propose this with trepidation as I've never done it (I'm flat-chested) but I've heard so often how ratties will bond when carried around tucked in the front of a bra (worn of course)..

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:giggle: fabulous Fidg....flat chested is perfect! That means that a flat chested rat mom can, conveniently, pack two rats into her bra and kill two birds with one stone! :wink: :laugh4: :cheeky: :bunnydance: :hugs:

jennifervb said:

Fidget said:

I propose this with trepidation as I've never done it (I'm flat-chested) but I've heard so often how ratties will bond when carried around tucked in the front of a bra (worn of course)..

Click to expand...

:giggle: fabulous Fidg....flat chested is perfect! That means that a flat chested rat mom can, conveniently, pack two rats into her bra and kill two birds with one stone! :wink: :laugh4: :cheeky: :bunnydance: :hugs:

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That's too funny!!! :lol:

RatsForever said:

jennifervb said:

Fidget said:

I propose this with trepidation as I've never done it (I'm flat-chested) but I've heard so often how ratties will bond when carried around tucked in the front of a bra (worn of course)..

Click to expand...

:giggle: fabulous Fidg....flat chested is perfect! That means that a flat chested rat mom can, conveniently, pack two rats into her bra and kill two birds with one stone! :wink: :laugh4: :cheeky: :bunnydance: :hugs:

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That's too funny!!! :lol:

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Fidget does manage to always bring out the best in people. :love6:

LOL!

*tries to hold back laugh* GAH :gaah: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :emb: :laugh4:

LOL
Another reason to adopt a pair of ratties?
I can see the ad now :laugh4:

RatsForever said:

and this appears that I'm a terrible rat owner but emotionally and financially I cannot take in any more rats.

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I doubt that people think you are a terrible rat owner. You have been around rescuing rats for years and people know you well enough to know that you would do what you believe is best for Darwin.