[Buzzkitty]

When you first let them out of their cage in a rat-safe in environment? I let ours out tonight for the first time in the bathroom whilst I cleaned their cage. They didn't seem to like it very much, so I kept it brief, to the 10 or so minutes it took me to clean and change the cage.
Thanks!

 

[DonnaK]

They usually take it slow until they find their bearings but once they do, watch out! They'll have loads of confidence. I've never seen a rat yet that doesn't like to run loose.

If you were making a good bit of noise while you were cleaning their cage, that could've made them extra cautious, too.

 

[tasha]

my rats still dont like running around in the house very much and I've had them since October. Usually I put them on the couch with me and let them play under blankets and stuff (and now have a hole chewed in my couch - gotta watch) but one time I let them on the floor while I was cleaning and thought maybe if I left them long enough they would get comfortable and start exploring. Well I left them for about an hour, in the living room and when I went to put them away they were like wild rats. Couldn't catch them, one even was acting like she wanted to bite me. So if I let them run on the floor it's a max of 30 minutes and they still dont wander very far, they usually go under the couch and stay there. They're very calm when I'm holding them, they don't mind being held but I can leave the cage open all night long and they never try to leave. I wonder if mine are just weirdos.

 

[Buzzkitty]

Thanks Tasha! Too funny. Our two boys became 4 today. We got two more. Who knew we'd be so rat crazy?
Shugy and Snowy did much better this Friday when I let them run around. They're much more secure in general after 3 weeks. They are quite impressed with their new cage mates and rat brothers!

 

[reachthestars]

Rats are always pretty reserved until they get to know their environment, just give them some time, your babies will be popcorning soon enough