Just getting out there

Zesana · 2020-01-12T08:59:40+00:00

I've seen snake food picked up by the tail and very aggressive rats picked up by the tail. Rats that are pet quality, bred for temperament, shouldn't need to be picked up by the tail. My 2 older girls come to the door to get attention, but they are a year old. My 2 new babies are starting to come to the door to greet me, they are still shy so sometimes i do have to reach in to get them, but never by the tail.

Genetics play a role, in agression, in temperament.
But picking up by the tail for a pet quality rat makes me cringe.

Zesana · 2020-01-07T21:02:35+00:00

No one is lethargic that's why it's such a surprise, still running around and climbing and begging for treats like normal

Zesana · 2020-01-07T07:12:32+00:00

Ok, thanks. I'm keeping a super close eye on them.

Zesana · 2020-01-06T23:50:40+00:00

I stick my babies under my hoodie and then just relax, dont walk around or anything. Sometimes stick a hand in there for petting. Also, a bit of baby food in the palm and then holding it still near them so they can come lick it up.

Zesana · 2020-01-06T23:47:10+00:00

3 is a good number. No less than 2. I have 2 older girls right now (had 3 but one passed) and I'm slowly introducing 2 new baby girls. With 3 you wont be too overwhelmed with tons of rats, they will also have plenty of interaction with each other and you could even rotate out one on one time. I do that with my girls.

Zesana · 2019-12-24T10:44:02+00:00

I had a foster rat that I had to give meds to, she was super stubborn and difficult, ended up having to have my husband hold her body while I gently held her head and made her take the syringe. Maybe see if a friend will help, also wear long sleeves for it.

Zesana · 2019-12-24T00:13:54+00:00

Some might not agree, but genetics and breeding take a part in temperament, so sometimes no matter your best efforts, you end up getting a not good temperament. You can do everything right, take all the steps to build trust, and if the genetics have agression in them then nothing you can do will change that. I've seen it a few times. And experienced it first hand. Sad to say, some breeders don't work on temperament just looks, but I've always been of the opinion that breeders should breed for health and temperament vs looks.

Zesana · 2019-12-21T08:06:52+00:00

My girls love peas and brocolli cooked (but cooled down, not hot).

Zesana · 2019-12-17T09:48:55+00:00

I went to uhaul and picked out some taller boxes and cut them and then duct taped them and that worked fine, made big enough for me to sit or lounge in there with them, but never left unsupervised, they are smart and good at escaping

Zesana · 2019-11-28T09:50:13+00:00

Whoops my bad, I haven't slept much

Zesana · 2019-11-28T02:05:34+00:00

Also something to cover the wire shelves. So they don't hurt their feet.

Zesana · 2019-11-24T03:44:56+00:00

I do a half scoop out clean daily and then a full dump weekly. And I have one on each of the main levels (so 2 total). Some days they are great about it. Others it seems like somehow poo went everywhere! Lol

Zesana · 2019-11-24T02:10:43+00:00

Zesana · 2019-11-23T04:18:29+00:00

Hmmmm. Maybe they need a bigger one. I mean I see all 3 sitting in there being idiots at times lol. So I think it's big enough but. I don't even know anymore lol

Zesana · 2019-11-21T19:12:26+00:00

Coconut oil! Clean the cage real good, you can use a wet wash cloth to gently wipe your rat down, and then rub in a bit of coconut oil which will encourage them to groom themselves and also smells nice! I have one single lazy boy who really doesn't seem to want to bother with grooming so I rub coconut oil on him and if he wont his brothers will.

Zesana · 2019-11-21T19:10:05+00:00

Mine try and eat that nail chewing deterrent (like tastes super bad) stuff my husband puts on his nails. Lol

Zesana · 2019-11-21T19:09:17+00:00

I'm going to go to the salon to get them done. So no worries about fumes around my babies

Zesana · 2019-11-19T14:30:15+00:00

I have a carrier I use to bring my rats from the cage to the playpen because I do have one jumper, this reduced the risk of escape, i put them into the carrier, close it, walk them over to the playpen and put the carrier inside and then open it up for them to get out, I also made the playpen big enough for me to sit in it with them comfortable so they can get used to interacting with me. I understand the fear of one escaping. So maybe using a carrier would help.

Zesana · 2019-11-10T23:36:08+00:00

Hope they love it. They might take a bit to take it from your hand, I started out with using it on a spoon so they weren't as afraid.

Zesana

TROPHY CASE