S
Siobhain Doherty
Guest
Long post, but I was hoping for some help.
I recently got a baby female rat from a pet store. (Yes aware female rats are known to be more skittish) When I was young I had pet rats (also female) and there is such a difference in their behaviours. I had four. Two pairs of sisters (not at the same time) My other rats may have had skittish moments, but for the most part were chilled out. My new rat (Ridley) is terrified of me and everything!!! I cannot stress this enough!!!!! I have tried all the onlinesuggestions, but nothing is working. She hardly eats, I have tried apples, bananas, strawberries, peaches, cheese, lettuce, rat food from the pet store and more. The pellets are all she eats, but not much. I don’t force her to eat and I leave treats out for her and I have tried giving her treats from my hand...nothing. If she had a tinder profile it would read...
Likes: Dark corners and escaping.
Dislikes: Everything else.
I let her out for hours on end, but usually she just tries to escape or hide somewhere dark.
She freaks out when I go anywhere near her and peeps, she would rather skydive off me into nothingness than have me hold/anywhere near her. So I try just let her be, and though I too love the fridge, the motor behind it isn’t the best place for a rat. But of course is her favourite (escape) hiding spot.
I will say, I have only had her over a week, so yes I know very early days and they say to persevere, which I will, but it seems like she is becoming more terrified and anti social by the day.
I keep trying new things like little boxes or material she can hide in, I bought building blocks so she could climb them like stairs, a little teddy she could cuddle up to, a warm sock she could sleep in, rolls from toiletpaper/paper towels, little balls, a Pom Pom, treats, talking to her, being gentle....she hates it all. HATES.IT.ALL!!! Again I can’t stress this enough.
Also she is very clever and escapes all the time (out of the designated rat play area that is) I’m afraid she will just actually escape in general. I’ve had to rat proof my unit. (She does have a cage she sleeps in at night)
I’m worried this is not the right environment for her. I’m quite sad about it all. If anyone has information to help, please let me know. I am at a loss, thinking maybe I’m not the right person to have her, that I can’t give her what she needs, or she would be happier if she were re-homed.
Please some sort of information or ideas would be so appreciated.
I recently got a baby female rat from a pet store. (Yes aware female rats are known to be more skittish) When I was young I had pet rats (also female) and there is such a difference in their behaviours. I had four. Two pairs of sisters (not at the same time) My other rats may have had skittish moments, but for the most part were chilled out. My new rat (Ridley) is terrified of me and everything!!! I cannot stress this enough!!!!! I have tried all the onlinesuggestions, but nothing is working. She hardly eats, I have tried apples, bananas, strawberries, peaches, cheese, lettuce, rat food from the pet store and more. The pellets are all she eats, but not much. I don’t force her to eat and I leave treats out for her and I have tried giving her treats from my hand...nothing. If she had a tinder profile it would read...
Likes: Dark corners and escaping.
Dislikes: Everything else.
I let her out for hours on end, but usually she just tries to escape or hide somewhere dark.
She freaks out when I go anywhere near her and peeps, she would rather skydive off me into nothingness than have me hold/anywhere near her. So I try just let her be, and though I too love the fridge, the motor behind it isn’t the best place for a rat. But of course is her favourite (escape) hiding spot.
I will say, I have only had her over a week, so yes I know very early days and they say to persevere, which I will, but it seems like she is becoming more terrified and anti social by the day.
I keep trying new things like little boxes or material she can hide in, I bought building blocks so she could climb them like stairs, a little teddy she could cuddle up to, a warm sock she could sleep in, rolls from toiletpaper/paper towels, little balls, a Pom Pom, treats, talking to her, being gentle....she hates it all. HATES.IT.ALL!!! Again I can’t stress this enough.
Also she is very clever and escapes all the time (out of the designated rat play area that is) I’m afraid she will just actually escape in general. I’ve had to rat proof my unit. (She does have a cage she sleeps in at night)
I’m worried this is not the right environment for her. I’m quite sad about it all. If anyone has information to help, please let me know. I am at a loss, thinking maybe I’m not the right person to have her, that I can’t give her what she needs, or she would be happier if she were re-homed.
Please some sort of information or ideas would be so appreciated.