Help!! New Rat!

[gypsyacorn]

hi, I'm new to this forum. I've had an account for a couple of months and never actually introduced my self but I'll go there after this.

I have 2 female rats Acorn and Gypsy. I got them 2 months ago and they are somewhere between 6-8 months old. The day I got them I did the trust training and two days later they were in love with me . 2 days ago I went to Petsmart to get crickets and went passed the rats and fell in love with a black little girl. I couldn't leave without her. She's older too; she's the same size as my other two. SO we brought her home and I have her in a different room then the other two. I'm pretty sure she's lonely. She was very skittish and scared but yesterday we had her out for four hours. She spent most of them in my hoody and then she went off exploring. Today I was giving her some baby food on a spoon and petting her and she fell asleep . A couple of hours later I had treats in my hand and she went straight for my pointer finger and bit through my nail bed and drew blood . That moment went by in slow motion. I'm a baby when it comes to blood and passed out. I looked up and she was starring at me through the bars. So I don't know what should be my next move. Any suggestions? I know it take time. I guess I lucked out with my first two. Should I do force or let her stay in her cage until she wants to come out. I'm not feeding her out of my hands anytime soon.

[Zhaneel]

I recognize that you were trying to quarantine her, but having her in the same house isn't good enough for quarantine. The new rat has to be in an entirely separate airspace.

As for the nipping - did you "eep" when she bit you? That lets them know that they've hurt you. Also, it seems like she just got way too excited when going for the treats, aimed badly, and got your finger instead. She sounds like she was doing well before this incident, so I'm not inclined to think that she suddenly became aggressive. If you're worried that she'll get you again, you can always wear gloves while handling her.

[gypsyacorn]

She's in the other end of the house. The rooms aren't close together. I read that she should be in another house but I unfortunately do not have that luxury. She seems healthy. I wash my hands and change my clothes before I go into my bedroom where my other two are. I'm doing the best I can.

That makes me feel a lot better I think I'm going to stick to treats on a spoon, just to be safe. Gypsy nips but it's nothing. This is my first rat bite and I hope the last one. It's funny. When Booty bit me it didn't hurt until she let go. That surprised me. But thanks for the reply

[ratjes]

You are doing well with her. it was just a greedy bite for food. She didn't know. Keep up the good work. She is lucky.

[renegaderob18]

Some rats will try to take food quicker then other rats and then they accidentally bite. It will happen from excitement especially with her being new and trying knew foods of wanting ones that she has tried and really loves.