RAts_sage.and-iris
Member
i have seen a lot of posts here about rats being randomly scared of their owners, but the situations are different. my rats are totally fine with my going up to their cage. they will excitedly run up to the door of the cage and just watch me. they climb onto me willingly, and they are okay in the bathroom when i take them with me to brush my teeth, wash my face, whatever. if they need me, they climb up my leg and onto my shoulder, and i am always paying attention to them when we are in the bathroom. they approach me in the bathroom. i cuddle with them, and they hang out in my shirts, hoodies, sleeves, and pockets when i do my chores or just walk around the house. but as soon as we are in the bedroom, and it's free-range time, suddenly i'm scary. i have to coax them to come up to me, and when i call them, they don't come. they will just look like deer in the headlights, and it's so confusing and worrisome for me. after enough coaxing, one will come up to me and go hop up on my lap when called, but once she's given a treat, she runs. as fast as she can. i have been limiting their hiding places (areas under/behind my dresser and nightstand) with things like towels to block access, so that could be it, but i have like a little play structure made out of cardboard boxes (like literally any smallish to medium-sized boxes), and i include this fuzzy tunnel/tube hammock that they sleep in so that they can go there if they want to hide or are just tired. lots of run around space (my room is small, but it's enough for them and me), little water bowl near their play area. they have things to do, but they just won't come near me.
it's so weird because they are super friendly with me until free-range. they are also reluctant to perform tricks they have memorized, and can do without guidance, if they perform the trick at all. like a couple weeks ago they were super great when it came to tricks and just coming up to me in free-range.
if you have any clue what's going on, or if you have advice on what to do, i would greatly appreciate it. thank you so much!
kind regards,
a rat owner
it's so weird because they are super friendly with me until free-range. they are also reluctant to perform tricks they have memorized, and can do without guidance, if they perform the trick at all. like a couple weeks ago they were super great when it came to tricks and just coming up to me in free-range.
if you have any clue what's going on, or if you have advice on what to do, i would greatly appreciate it. thank you so much!
kind regards,
a rat owner
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