[Baj448]

I've had my two boys (Eddy and Antonio) for about a month now. A friend of mines got them from a PetSmart, but didn't realize the amount of care they needed (i.e. a large cage, multiple things to climb on, free roam time, etc), so gave them to me. I'm not sure they're exact age, but I think theyre under 6 months old(not sure how to tell though).

1.) I need advice on how to introduce free roam for the first time? Do I take them out of the cage by hand, or do I open their cage to let them decide? The issue with this, is I have a play pen with toys for them to roam in (kinda looks like a kiddie pool), and putting the cage inside (if i were to use the leave door open option) takes up a lot of the space. While on the other hand, they're still a little bit skittish, and don't like to be handled. Do I sit in the play pen to get them more used to me? How do I go about this?

2.) I think I messed up a bit with the treats. In order to get them used to me, I frequently gave them treats throughout the day. Because of this, they now expect treats whenever I come to the cage, so they tend to bite me when I reach my fingers in the cage (not hard enough to draw blood). How do I reverse this? I want to better learn how to get them used to being handled, without them biting me.

3.) How much veggies/fruits should I give them throughout the week? I started off giving them about a cup of veggies a day (lettuce, green peppers, carrots), and some fruits (apples, grapes) every other day; but some sources says I should only give them veggies every other day, and fruits maybe 2 a week. Which should I do? Everyday or less frequently? They also get theyre regular pellet food as well.


Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Tinytoes]

Hi and welcome! Congrats on your ratties, you came to the right place Here is my advice from experience:

1) Free roam them on a bed with an old sheet covering it. Put a couple of hides out, and sit with them with a baggy robe or sweatshirt they can climb in. You want them to see you as the Safe Place they can come to. If you have not picked them up yet, and they are not used to being handled, use a small cardboard box or carrier to herd them into. They will learn the 'transport box' is how they get to the fun times!

2) It is best to never feed treats through the bars. Ever. When giving them treats, open the door and talk to them, offer a wet treat like baby food on a metal spoon so they learn not to bite (they don't like the feel of metal on their teeth). Dry treats should be offered on the flat of your fingers, like feeding a horse, so they can pick it up. Rats often cannot tell the difference between your finger tips and a delicious nut.

3) Yes to veggies every other day or less, they tend to cause tummy upset and runny poops. Fruit once or twice a week. Mine love bananas, and only get one little bite each. No citrus for the boys. Their main source of nutrition should be from their pelleted food like Oxbow.

The goal with food is to keep them at a healthy weight, which is hard because they LOVE their treats and we LOVE giving them!
Getting them used to being handled takes time. I sit with my foster babies on the bed, pick each one up with two hands (scoop) and bring them to my face and whisper their name, kiss kiss, then put them back down quickly. I do this maybe 10-15 each play time. When they go back to the cage, they get some cream of wheat with a bit of brown sugar and butter on a baby spoon. That is their reward!

 

[Tinytoes]

Oh, and trying to catch a frightened rat can be difficult. You don't want them to become more afraid, so never chase them around the cage with your hands. Use the 'transport box', sort of corner them so they don't have a choice except to get in.

 

[Baj448]

Hi and welcome! Congrats on your ratties, you came to the right place Here is my advice from experience:

1) Free roam them on a bed with an old sheet covering it. Put a couple of hides out, and sit with them with a baggy robe or sweatshirt they can climb in. You want them to see you as the Safe Place they can come to. If you have not picked them up yet, and they are not used to being handled, use a small cardboard box or carrier to herd them into. They will learn the 'transport box' is how they get to the fun times!

2) It is best to never feed treats through the bars. Ever. When giving them treats, open the door and talk to them, offer a wet treat like baby food on a metal spoon so they learn not to bite (they don't like the feel of metal on their teeth). Dry treats should be offered on the flat of your fingers, like feeding a horse, so they can pick it up. Rats often cannot tell the difference between your finger tips and a delicious nut.

3) Yes to veggies every other day or less, they tend to cause tummy upset and runny poops. Fruit once or twice a week. Mine love bananas, and only get one little bite each. No citrus for the boys. Their main source of nutrition should be from their pelleted food like Oxbow.

The goal with food is to keep them at a healthy weight, which is hard because they LOVE their treats and we LOVE giving them!
Getting them used to being handled takes time. I sit with my foster babies on the bed, pick each one up with two hands (scoop) and bring them to my face and whisper their name, kiss kiss, then put them back down quickly. I do this maybe 10-15 each play time. When they go back to the cage, they get some cream of wheat with a bit of brown sugar and butter on a baby spoon. That is their reward!

Thank you so much! I will do as advised!