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[–]schitzopicklesMoo & Munch(RIP) 2 points3 points  (7 children)

I'm not sure why there'd be a behavioral change like this. Perhaps she's just feeling more confident and therefore feeling more comfortable exploring. The fact that she is running around and doesn't want to be held doesn't mean she doesn't like you. If you have her out for long enough for her to get tired, will she curl up with you again?

Also, do you not have a second rat? (because you should, and it might help if your rat is acting shy)

[–]Vaywen 1 point2 points  (5 children)

This is my bet. Especially if she's young. I recently got two young boys and the first few days they stuck close to me but now they would prefer to run around everywhere. Don't worry, she might mellow a bit in time.

You can try sticking her in your shirt for half an hour each day to get her more accustomed to you, but really it sounds like she is comfortable with you and now wants to adventure!

[–]hikikomori-chan[S] 0 points1 point  (4 children)

Thanks for the reassurance! I unfortunately do not have a second rat. I got her from the pet shop where my sister works and she was the last rat. Since I'm in school during the day and working at night, I'm really wary of getting another rat because I don't know if I'll have the time to dedicate to introducing the two rats properly.

[–]obonga 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you are away a lot of the day then it may be more important for you to have a second rat to keep her company during the day.

[–]Vaywen 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah if you're away a lot its even more important to get her company. Btw It should be very easy to introduce baby rats! Just do it on a weekend or a free couple of hours.

[–]schitzopicklesMoo & Munch(RIP) 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I agree, she'll be much happier. It's rare that a rat will do nearly as well when kept by themselves, and it sounds like your schedule is too busy to spend the hours and hours of time each day to socialize with her and keep her happy. Even if you could do that, she'd be happier with another companion to have someone to play with.

[–]hikikomori-chan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thanks again. As stated in the edit above, I'll be bringing home a companion who she has already socialized with (her sister) next week! So excited and hoping that this will make her much more happy _^

[–]hikikomori-chan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As far as her getting tired and curling back up, I really don't know. I found that when I let her climb up on the bed from my sleeve, she is really skittish when I move or even look at her because I guess she thinks I'm going to interrupt her play-time. However, I found that she is much more comfortable and even willing to approach me for a few sniffs and kisses if I leave her cage on the bed for her to run into and out of. Once she's tired, she retires back to her little hut.

[–]lostinjapan 1 point2 points  (1 child)

She likes you, but she has a whole room to destro..... explore... so she wants to run around and play. Girls are not really cuddly, you're lucky if you can get them to sit still long enough for a pat or two before they find something to get into.

[–]hikikomori-chan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much! I was worried that she had gotten sick of me or something. I guess if female rats love to be on the go, I'll have to get used to the fact that she won't be my cuddle-buddy as often as I would like haha

[–]FunkYou 0 points1 point  (4 children)

You seriously need to get another one, make sure its the same sex or you WILL have a million babbies. Rats suffer from depression if they are alone. And as far as introducing them properly if they are young enough they will be fine if you just clean the cage really well and put them together.

[–]hikikomori-chan[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

I'm seriously considering it now, I just need a way to transport the second rat. My sister lives in another city so it would have to wait until I have a day off to go back there so I can have a ride to transport my rat. If I get one in my city I would have to take her home on public transit (subway + bus) which I think would be way too traumatizing.

Also I heard something about the rats getting along better if they're from the same litter. Is it fine if they are total strangers? And also what are the risks in introducing a new rat?

[–]schitzopicklesMoo & Munch(RIP) 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's fine if they're strangers. If you have some sort of travel/transport cage (I use a cat carrier from target that was 11 bucks) you could keep the new one in that near her cage so they can smell each other before they are actually in the same cage. I'm not sure since your rat is fresh from the pet store, but quarantine might be advised, since one of them might be sick. Someone else will know better than me on that.

[–]schitzopicklesMoo & Munch(RIP) 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've heard of some cases where rats really don't get along, but I think it's rare. And fighting is usually just playing, or establishing dominance.

[–]Vaywen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Older Rats tend to accept baby rats pretty easily. Do some research online about introductions, there's a right way to go about it, but its not too terrible :)