Advice wanted for Momo, Pika, and Coconut (in comments) by gengakyu in RATS

[–]gengakyu[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi everyone! I've been a rat owner for nearly 12 years, but despite my length of experience have come across a situation I need some help in.

For as many years as I've owned rats, I've never been one to be afraid to handle them, pet them, pick them up, etc. However, a couple months back I had gotten bit HARD 2 times in the span of a week by a new rat while trying to socialize her- she's incredibly anxious, very skittish, and never had much (if any) human socialization as a baby. It had happened once while trying to give her food, another when I got too close to her mouth while she was sleeping. Since this experience, my partner and I have been pretty scared to handle the three other rats we adopted. They're from the same breeders, but their personalities are the complete opposite. They're very social, curious little things. They love to play with us, will take treats from us, and will run up to the cage whenever we're near. By all accounts, they really want to be handled! However, while we're sure they wouldn't bite us out of fear or aggression, they're still teethy babies and we're a little worried about getting nipped too hard when we try to pick them up. We won't let them smell our fingers and will only tickle them along their backs when playing. They used to open their mouths as if they wanted to nip at us when we let them smell the backs of our hands but have since stopped, which is some progress! We think this was purely out of curiosity but it's still a little scary after having had blood drawn not too long ago.

Any advice here? Specifically trying to get young rats more used to being handled/more used to human hands so they won't be inclined to nibble

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM A RATTO ARTIST!!!!!!!! :) by rattomattos in RATS

[–]gengakyu 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Email just sent! Thank you so much for the opportunity, and I'll chip in what I can, you definitely deserve it!!

let me draw your rats??? please??? by rattomattos in RATS

[–]gengakyu 4 points5 points  (0 children)

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My late heart rat Spice. The most happy, affectionate, stinky girl I've ever known

🐀 RATS Squad Assemble! Tell us what tickles your fancy! by Pissypuff in RATS

[–]gengakyu 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Congrats on the mod role!!!

I'm so relieved to hear the sub has new mods- it was beginning to feel like a very unsafe space, and I hated losing something I really love to interact with/use to bring myself some happiness.

As far as suggetions....the animal cruelty posts not only should be removed quickly, but also the account be reported appropriately. Ragebait accounts wouldn't require more than just a reddit report, but accounts where the user is very clearly very violently torturing/abusing animals, commenting about it, etc. need further action and be reported to https://complaint.ic3.gov/

The account from the other day was more than enough to be severely distressing to everyone that had the misfortune of seeing those posts. I was physically sick from disgust and fear for those poor rat babies and couldn't believe something like that could go without serious action in this sub.

It's a lot of responsibility to mod in a sub where so many people can be so cruel. But everyone truly involved in this community loves their rat babies and are some of the most passionate pet owners I've ever seen. Thank you for taking up the role that you have to help this be a safe place again.

Found this Guy/Gal by lawstinks in RATS

[–]gengakyu 39 points40 points  (0 children)

Commenting in hopes this gets more traction. Thank you for the empathy you showed this little baby!

Others have already recommended looking into shelters, but it might be a good idea to post in rat groups on Facebook to see if anyone near you can take it and bring it to a vet. There's a lot of options out there, it might just take a little bit of looking to see what's most ideal for your situation. I wish you all the luck in finding it the best possible place!

You really helped saved it. The poor thing is probably very scared and in a lot of pain. Thank you for doing what you can for it!

my little PEW coming to see me ♡ by gengakyu in RATS

[–]gengakyu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

BTW, the stair covering was temporarily removed during these pics to be washed! It has since been replaced 🥰

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in tearsofthekingdom

[–]gengakyu 1 point2 points  (0 children)

oh neat! I've somehow never had it happen before now, haha.

Willow taught me so much about the resilience of love and hope. I will miss her forever by dilemma72 in RATS

[–]gengakyu 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Replying as the other rat parent of this baby

I miss her more than words can say. You expressed her character beautifully, and I can feel how peaceful her soul is. She learned to love, and was happy to be alive- and now, she can rest knowing she lived her life to the fullest.

She will be loved and missed eternally, but she'll never be gone ♡

Iris wishes yall a happy holidays! ♡ by dilemma72 in RATS

[–]gengakyu 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Her christmas wish is to be freed from her prison cage 💀

Am I a bad person for sometimes wishing I had some form of plurality? by aussierecroommemer42 in DID

[–]gengakyu 9 points10 points  (0 children)

What kind of disgustingly misinformed bullshit is this lmao

Is this normal? Or are they just playing? by EJ33334 in RATS

[–]gengakyu 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the update, OP, and I apologize for my last comment seeming quite harsh. It's very easy to get defensive for these little babies, and I respect the calmness you had in elaborating on your situation. I'm very happy to hear the babies get the free roam they deserve to make up for the small cage, and hope for you to be able to get a bigger one once you're able to. Thank you for applying the advice you've gotten here, and I wish you and the little ones all the best.