[copypasta'd first part from a different post in health]
So I got three new rats. 2 standards and a hairless. All three were from a pet store destined to be feeders. I was going to just go with the two standards but I couldn't leave the hairless behind, too cute! Didn't want him to be snake food. [even though I have snakes... too cute to be dinner]
Oldest I'm guessing is about 6 or 7 weeks. The hairless and the other one seem to be around 5 to 6. Largest girl is white with champaign markings and the other looks like a silver or a beige. I can't really tell.
They are on fleece and some care fresh [fleece covers the "warm" side of the temp cage, carefresh is on the other] I've got a heating pad set to low on the warm side, mostly for the hairless. They are on oxbow and lab blocks. They'll start getting more varied diet in a few days.
But is it ok to socialize by taking them out and just holding them in my hands? They don't run from my hand when I go to pick them up, but they don't exactly like being picked up either. Peeing and fear pooping as soon as I hold them. If I keep doing this, talking softly to them, and "grooming" them while keeping them in my hands, will they warm up? I don't really have a place I can let them free roam and they haven't taken any treats yet.
I did this today. Took one of them out, and just had her in my hand. After a few minutes of peeing and pooping everywhere, I put my other hand on top to create a "cave". She started to settle down a little more, groomed herself, but was still shivering. I gently stroked the side of her head/shoulders with my thumb and just talked to her quietly. She started grooming herself again and the shivering stopped a little, but it was still there. I did this for about 15 minutes and then gently put her back in the cage. She didn't run straight for cover, she just sort of walked off.
Is this ok to do? Or will this just make them afraid of being picked up?
Is the self-grooming while in my hands a good sign?
Also, what is the difference between bruxing and chattering? I can't really seem to find a difference in the sound.
So I got three new rats. 2 standards and a hairless. All three were from a pet store destined to be feeders. I was going to just go with the two standards but I couldn't leave the hairless behind, too cute! Didn't want him to be snake food. [even though I have snakes... too cute to be dinner]
Oldest I'm guessing is about 6 or 7 weeks. The hairless and the other one seem to be around 5 to 6. Largest girl is white with champaign markings and the other looks like a silver or a beige. I can't really tell.
They are on fleece and some care fresh [fleece covers the "warm" side of the temp cage, carefresh is on the other] I've got a heating pad set to low on the warm side, mostly for the hairless. They are on oxbow and lab blocks. They'll start getting more varied diet in a few days.
But is it ok to socialize by taking them out and just holding them in my hands? They don't run from my hand when I go to pick them up, but they don't exactly like being picked up either. Peeing and fear pooping as soon as I hold them. If I keep doing this, talking softly to them, and "grooming" them while keeping them in my hands, will they warm up? I don't really have a place I can let them free roam and they haven't taken any treats yet.
I did this today. Took one of them out, and just had her in my hand. After a few minutes of peeing and pooping everywhere, I put my other hand on top to create a "cave". She started to settle down a little more, groomed herself, but was still shivering. I gently stroked the side of her head/shoulders with my thumb and just talked to her quietly. She started grooming herself again and the shivering stopped a little, but it was still there. I did this for about 15 minutes and then gently put her back in the cage. She didn't run straight for cover, she just sort of walked off.
Is this ok to do? Or will this just make them afraid of being picked up?
Is the self-grooming while in my hands a good sign?
Also, what is the difference between bruxing and chattering? I can't really seem to find a difference in the sound.