Expert: Sandra Todd - 6/21/2008

Question
We recently added a new female rat to our home.  She seemed to be fine for
the first day - loved to run up our chest to the neck area, and would sit and
clean herself on my shoulder.  She would explore around the area, come in
and out of her cage, etc.  We had bought a too small cage (one for a hamster,
not knowing any better), so got a large one from someone who also had rats.  
We cleaned it well (vinegar & water), and put fresh bedding in, and some chew
toys, hut, box, etc.  Since moving her to the new cage, she is almost
aggressive.  She has bitten me several times, she seems to be "sneezing" a lot
(or some noise that sounds like a small sneeze).  She still will come out of the
cage, but is more jumpy when we put our hands in the cage (even to give
fresh food, etc.).  Not sure if this is due to a new environment (moving from
pet store to one cage, then to another, new people, etc.), or ??  I'm concerned
that she's started to bite, albeit it doesn't hurt now, but she did break skin on
the 6 year old.  ALso, is the "sneezing" a sign of illness, or just her noise?  We
are truly enamored with her, but are concerned about this new behavior.  
We've pretty much not handled her a lot since then, although we've put our
hands up to the cage, and have stroked her (which she will allow sometimes)
within the cage.  Thanks.

Answer
She was probably more friendly the first day due to adreniline! She was excited and probably even nervous to be there but she was more outgoing with you just that first day because of nerves but once she had a chance to unwind she was nervous even more.  Baby rats have to be                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 socialized by the breeder from the day they are born in order for them to not be shy with humans. Sounds like she was not really socialized  or she would not be hiding and especially, biting.

SHe needs your patience and your gentle                                                                                                  touch and soothing voice.

Please see my website about training scared or biting rats.  It will teach you how to handle shy or scared and biting rats and I have had great success with the way I have done it including training a wild rat.

Here is the URL:

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/trainingshyorbitingrats.htm


Feel free to write any time!


Sandy