How long does it usually take for a rat to allow to be picked up?

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Racholo

Member
Joined
May 10, 2019
Messages
5
Location
New Zealand
I have three new beautiful boys, 9 weeks, both petshop boys (bar Boots who is from a breeder), so not handled as much as I'd like.
I've had them for 5 days.
Boots has been handled from a young age, and is very food orientated and has no issue being picked up while he eats.
Hezsky has eaten standing on my hand twice now, and only took three days to ask for his first pat(Stretched out and lay down infront of cage door after a pat - assume this was asking?)
Smok is my most timid boy, simply because he isn't too fussed about food so is harder to coax with food. He hasn't fully taken food from standing on my hand yet, only stretching.

I'm letting them do it at their pace.
It's just heartbreaking not being able to cuddle them yet and I'm so worried they will never want to.
What kind of timeline can I expect for progress and handling?
 
Look at www.joinrats.com there's lots of good info on socializing and such. Some just take time, and others will just hop on up to your shoulder without a problem from day one. Every rat has its own personality, and the more you work with them, the more you'll see that. Besides, they are still pretty young, and even the most handled babies, can become shy and timid for a bit when they move to a new home, or a new person tries to handle them. :)
 
Look at www.joinrats.com there's lots of good info on socializing and such. Some just take time, and others will just hop on up to your shoulder without a problem from day one. Every rat has its own personality, and the more you work with them, the more you'll see that. Besides, they are still pretty young, and even the most handled babies, can become shy and timid for a bit when they move to a new home, or a new person tries to handle them. :)
Thank you! :)
 
Every rat is unique, some come around a lot while others do not and then there's some that will surprise you a year later and become sweet. Keep doing what you are doing and enjoy them for who they are. :)
 
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