Millie is perfectly normal. She is in fact stressed when you take her out of her cage and she is being quiet and staying close to her pack, that's you and your boyfriend. Not to worry, stress and even near panic are normal conditions for rats. It's what gives wild rats the edge on their competition and accounts for their survival and evolutionary success. If a rat isn't wired when it's out of it's home it's going to be a meal for something else. Unlike humans that stress over concepts rats stress in the concrete. Where stressing over the bad economy can make us sick, stressing over the big tom cat in the room can keep your rat alive. Human stress often has no resolution, whereas rat stress is always resolved pretty quickly. Whereas it's better for humans to avoid stress, rats seem to thrive on it. When you see the difference between a fat lethargic stress free rat and one that's lean and sharp and strong that's been living close to the edge it's hard to imagine they're related.

Unfortunately, this most pleasant situation isn't going to last. As Millie spends more time out of her cage, she is eventually going to get used to her surroundings and become as rambunctious as your other ratties.

 

Thanks for your reply Rat Daddy. You seem very knowledgeable and I love all of your posts!

 

Your very welcome, I've been very lucky to have had patient ratties that have taught me everything I know. And just like everyone else who owns ratties I learn something new every day. I think rats take great pleasure in keeping their human friends on their toes.