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Lazy Boys Don't Want to Come Out of Cage

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786 views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  masonbee  
M
#1 ·
Hello! I've got two super cute boys, both are over a year old. I adopted them from a foster parent who said they're pretty shy about being outside of their cage.
I'm trying to get them to be more adventurous and be more ok with handling.
I've had them for a week, and they don't seem afraid of me. They'll come up to the bars to get treats, and love to lick yogurt off of my hand. They do move away a little when I try to stroke them, and when I've handled them, they're not aggressive or super super stressed out, they just want to go back in the cage immediately.
They're cage is a big old ferret nation with wheels, so I'll wheel them over to the bed, open the doors and lay out treats and toys to try to get them to come out and play. This has only worked about twice, usually they'll just stare out the doors, sniff around a bit, then go back to sleep.

Is there a way to help them be more comfortable outside of the cage? Should I just more patient, and keep offering them treats if they come out?
 
#3 ·
There's a lot of boys who are just not interested in out-time, I know it's kinda frustrating. Some boys will just sit on top of their cage if you close it and will just be waiting to go home... For some reason when I have rats who don't want to come out they'll (sometimes) eventually want to be out and explore, not sure why they change their mind, but for now there's nothing you can really do. They are just suuuuper lazy! Some humans want to be in their home and do their own thing while other humans always want to go to concerts or lunch, and I assume rats can be the same way. Just keep taking them out though because they still need socialization time with you. :)
 
#4 ·
Hehe...they sound like little couch potatoes :) Anyway, the way I get my rats used to free-ranging it to initially lure them onto my hand with a treat, let them eat it, and then place them in my free range area (which is filled with hidy houses, boxes, toys, etc.). Initially the rats will be afraid, but after a few free-run sessions, they start to greet me at the door because they want to come out, not because they want a treat (although that is still very much appreciated! :p). I also like to do trick training with my ratties, and I always do this during free-range. The rats really look forward to this time (because they get lots of treats!), and I think it also contributes to their want to come out. However, I've only had girls, and I'm not sure how differently bucks behave.

I'm sure your boys will soon discover the joys of being outside the cage, and then you'll have the same problem as me: keeping them inside the cage! :)
 
M
#5 ·
Update!
They are doing so much better! Just took a little patience, they love running around and hanging out with me, as long as they feel they can get back into their cage if they need to.
They do still resist being handled if I'm taking them out, and just try to get back into the cage(trying to climb and jump out of my hands etc). They're pretty calm and ok being handled if they're already out.
Here's them climbing all over me during outside time!
 
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