Socializing Your Rats

When you get new rats, sometimes they need extra socialization.

If you got them from a good breeder, they should be well socialized already, interested in human interaction, and relaxed when handled. However, even rats from a good breeder can be nervous when they leave the home colony for the first time. Surrounded by strangers, new smells and unknown enclosures, it would be unrealistic to expect them to be completely relaxed about it! So it's not a bad idea to want to socialize your new friends to bond with you.

Pet rats obtained from rescue situations or from pet stores, or poor breeders, can be quite wild, and require concentrated effort to make them into good pets.

The first thing to remember is to give them time to adjust. They need to be allowed time to acclimatize to their new surroundings. When you first bring your rats home, place them in their new cage and then leave them alone. I know it's very tempting to want to take your new friends out and play with them, but allow them a day to relax and figure out where they are, where food is, where their new toys are, etc.

After that, on a daily basis and for at least 10 minutes but not more than 20 minutes, put your new rats in something comfortable and secure. A bonding pouch, the front pocket of a hoodie, and a Ratoob all make good bonding helpers. Let your rat smell your scent and associate you with warmth and nothing bad happening. If they're already well-socialized, you can pet them and offer treats inside the pocket/pouch. If they are wilder and more fearful, just let them learn to relax with you. Repeat this a couple times a day for whatever length of time is required to help your rat feel more confident and secure with you. Some outgoing and well socialized rats will enjoy riding openly on your shoulder and socially grooming your hair and fingernails within a few days. Some will need a month or more of bonding pouch time before they feel they can trust you enough to come out and play.

When you come to see your rat, don't come empty handed! Plain, unsweetened cheerios are great bonding bribes! Never offer or poke food between cage bars, as it will teach your rat to snatch and grab. Open the cage and offer a cheerio either on a flat palm, or between your fingernails, depending on how "snatchy" your rat is and whether they have a history of biting. Your rat will learn to love seeing you come to the cage, and be happy to run to you!

Many rats enjoy "taffy pulling" to relax them. It involves holding the rat around the ribcage, with the bottom end dangling, and slowly running the other hand down the body toward the tail, pulling gently. Be VERY GENTLE while you do this! You do not want to crush your rat or dislocate them, just gently massage them and offer secure pressure. Many rats find this a lovely, relaxing way to be handled, and will really melt in your hands when you do it!