[georgiasratbabies]

I’ve had my rats for 2 months now, and I got thrown into this way too quickly. If anyone could give tips for free roam enrichment, how to stop biting, and cheap cute hammock shops.
Also, it normal for rats to try and escape all the time. Does this mean they need a bigger cage? And when should I clip their nails? Also how to get them to trust me.
Any advice please!!

 

[Raticus40]

Hi! I can offer no advice but I’ve had mine just over a month and mine still bite me and still won’t let us hold them! I also need advice, so hoping someone gives it

 

[RatPappy]

Could you give more information on your rats-gender, age, origin, for example. What sort of enclosure do you have them in? How is their environment? Info like this will make it easier for Rat Forum humans to advise you.

 

[Tinytoes]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Yes, they try to escape and are generally skittish, but remember they are prey animals, and survival is their main goal. If you search this forum and Youtube channels like Shadow the Rat, you'll find lots of ideas on socializing. Mostly it's routine, moving slowly, finding their favorite treat, letting them free roam on a bed where they can't get away and hide. Feed them a wet treat on a metal spoon to teach them not to bite. Wear an old robe or sweatshirt and allow them to hide inside. Observe what they like and don't like. Learn all you can about their personalities. It takes time and patience, lots and lots of patience.

 

[Little rat beans]

I've had rats for quite a while now and I've found that you can make your own hammocks from old hoods on hoodies or jackets if you can't find any cheap ones. They're easy to clean and my babies love them. As for the escaping, rats are very curious and love to explore. It may just be that they want to roam rather than escape. And the biting could just be them trying to groom you or think you have food. One of my babies gets a little too excited sometimes and tries to run off with my finger if he smells food. If they are biting hard enough to draw blood or seem aggressive when they do they might still be nervous and need some time to get used to you. I always put a piece of old clothing in their cage to let them get used to my smell before I try handling if they're super nervous. I really hope some of this helps and good luck with your new babies.

 

[Verucasdad]

I’ve had my rats for 2 months now, and I got thrown into this way too quickly. If anyone could give tips for free roam enrichment, how to stop biting, and cheap cute hammock shops.
Also, it normal for rats to try and escape all the time. Does this mean they need a bigger cage? And when should I clip their nails? Also how to get them to trust me.
Any advice please!!

For the nails, you could get some lava ledges to put under the water bottles, so they have to use them to drink. I also put some semi-rough tile on the bottom of parts of the cage so they naturally "file" their nails.
I make my own hammocks with the fleece throws from Walmart. My husband bought me a sewing machine a few years back and I found patterns online and videos on YouTube. You can also use the hacks mentioned above and upcycle lots of different things. I once used a clearance bra to make two hammocks.
Trying to escape could just be curiosity.

 

[RatPappy]

Yep, Verucasdad is right on with the lava rock for nail filing. Their nails will never be completely smooth but it will help a lot. Scratched forearms kind of go with rats. Long sleeves are a good idea also. Their little hands are so tiny and difficult to keep still that filing yourself is pretty much impossible, even if you have hands as steady as a neurosurgeon.

 

[BundleORats]

I’ve had my rats for 2 months now, and I got thrown into this way too quickly. If anyone could give tips for free roam enrichment, how to stop biting, and cheap cute hammock shops.
Also, it normal for rats to try and escape all the time. Does this mean they need a bigger cage? And when should I clip their nails? Also how to get them to trust me.
Any advice please!!

Hey, do you mind showing me a picture of your cage? You can get cheap hammocks off of Amazon, you can put lava ledges in the cage to trim nails (it’s easier than clipping). To stop biting pull away and make a high pitched “eep” to get them to realize that hurts. To get them to trust you give them lots of treats and use bonding pouches, this can take months depending on the rat. For free roaming, training tricks is a high enrichment.

 

[georgiasratbabies]

Could you give more information on your rats-gender, age, origin, for example. What sort of enclosure do you have them in? How is their environment? Info like this will make it easier for Rat Forum humans to advise you.

hiya!
my rats are two males, who i believe to be about 2-4 months. they come from a pet shop, it’s bad i know but they were a gift. their environment is in
my living room, which is usually a comfy temperature. I have them in a “Savic Freddy 2 Max Rat/Ferret cage” but hope to move them somewhere bigger.

 

[georgiasratbabies]

Hey, do you mind showing me a picture of your cage? You can get cheap hammocks off of Amazon, you can put lava ledges in the cage to trim nails (it’s easier than clipping). To stop biting pull away and make a high pitched “eep” to get them to realize that hurts. To get them to trust you give them lots of treats and use bonding pouches, this can take months depending on the rat. For free roaming, training tricks is a high enrichment.
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Yep, Verucasdad is right on with the lava rock for nail filing. Their nails will never be completely smooth but it will help a lot. Scratched forearms kind of go with rats. Long sleeves are a good idea also. Their little hands are so tiny and difficult to keep still that filing yourself is pretty much impossible, even if you have hands as steady as a neurosurgeon.

thank you!!

 

[georgiasratbabies]

For the nails, you could get some lava ledges to put under the water bottles, so they have to use them to drink. I also put some semi-rough tile on the bottom of parts of the cage so they naturally "file" their nails.
I make my own hammocks with the fleece throws from Walmart. My husband bought me a sewing machine a few years back and I found patterns online and videos on YouTube. You can also use the hacks mentioned above and upcycle lots of different things. I once used a clearance bra to make two hammocks.
Trying to escape could just be curiosity.

thanks for the good advice!

 

[RatPappy]

hiya!
my rats are two males, who i believe to be about 2-4 months. they come from a pet shop, it’s bad i know but they were a gift. their environment is in
my living room, which is usually a comfy temperature. I have them in a “Savic Freddy 2 Max Rat/Ferret cage” but hope to move them somewhere bigger.

hiya!
my rats are two males, who i believe to be about 2-4 months. they come from a pet shop, it’s bad i know but they were a gift. their environment is in
my living room, which is usually a comfy temperature. I have them in a “Savic Freddy 2 Max Rat/Ferret cage” but hope to move them somewhere bigger.

I'm happy your boys have a home with a caring human! They're young, and young rats will bite/scuffle-sometimes fiercely-until they work things out. Keep an eye on them to be sure there are no injuries or serious nastiness. Your enclosure should be fine for now, especially with hammocks and other hiding places so they can have private time when they wish. Don't get down about pet shop origins. My first boyos were half-wild barn rats and were a surprise gift as well, and turned out to be very sweet. Good luck, and please keep us posted!

 

[BundleORats]

hiya!
my rats are two males, who i believe to be about 2-4 months. they come from a pet shop, it’s bad i know but they were a gift. their environment is in
my living room, which is usually a comfy temperature. I have them in a “Savic Freddy 2 Max Rat/Ferret cage” but hope to move them somewhere bigger.

For a begging cage that one isn’t too terrible. I’m not sure what UK cages are best, but something along the lines of the critter nation is good. I think the UK equivalent of that is the Yaheetch Metal Rolling cages. Good luck on your rat journey.

 

[Tinytoes]

hiya!
my rats are two males, who i believe to be about 2-4 months. they come from a pet shop, it’s bad i know but they were a gift. their environment is in
my living room, which is usually a comfy temperature. I have them in a “Savic Freddy 2 Max Rat/Ferret cage” but hope to move them somewhere bigger.

Just being from a pet store isn't necessarily 'bad'. Some the sweetest, most intelligent and long-lived rats can come from a pet shop! My Phyllis was a feeder, and she is the most hilarious, adorable and intelligent little lady