Bonding with Your Pet Rats
There is no greater feeling than when we have bonded with our pets and earned their trust. It is no surprise that we can sometimes feel impatient for that mutual love and connection, attempting to race to the finish line to wave the flag of victory. However, I am here to let you in on a secret: that neither love nor trust can be hurried. A true bond with your rats will happen organically, just as it happens for us and our personal relationships.
Don’t worry, understanding animal behavior and connecting with your rats is not as daunting as it may seem. In fact, I will break down the science behind bonding with your pet rats with a few simple steps.
Build Trust with Your Pet Rat
- Understanding Your Pet Rat’s Perspective: Imagine you are a rat. Now you are presented with a potential predator that is 1,000 times larger than yourself. It would be rather terrifying, would it not? Keep in mind the perspective of your rat and how overwhelmingly large we are in their little eyes. Use slow and steady movements to avoid startling them.
- Acclimating Your Pet Rat to a New Environment: My first recommendation when you bring your fur baby home, is to allow them time to get acclimated to their new surroundings. Moving to a completely new environment with new smells can be stressful for these little guys.
- Creating a Calm and Quiet Space: Keep the sound to a minimum. Rats have highly sensitive hearing and can be easily frightened by loud noises. Always talk in a low, calm voice when interacting with them.
Tip: To help your rats become familiar with your scent, give them an old shirt that carries your smell. Use something worn and no longer needed or pick up a cheap item for this purpose. It will inevitably be destroyed, so please don’t use anything of value!
Bonding Through Positive Reinforcement
Rats LOVE food. Use treats to encourage them to eat from your hand. If they do not do this straight away, try again the next day with a different treat. I will be writing a separate blog on all the treats that are safe for your pet rats, and which ones to avoid.
Choosing The Best Treats
We are essentially tricking our new rat friends into interacting with us by manipulating them with something mind-blowingly delicious. That being said, most everything is delicious to rats, which makes this a relatively easy task.
Choosing small, healthy options like fruits, vegetables, or specially formulated rat treats is far better for your rat’s long-term health than sugary or fatty snacks.
Tip: If you’re offering a small treat, avoid pinching it between your fingers. Rats have a tendency to act like they have never seen food in their life and can get a little excited. There is a high probability that your pet rat may mistake your finger for a sausage…
So, to prevent any accidents, lay your hand out flat with your palm facing up, allowing them to take the treat on their own.
These Vitakraft Mini Drops are a quick delicious snack that work great when bonding with your new pet rats:
Remember! Treats are treats for a reason and meant to be occasional rewards. Give them too many and you will quickly see your new rats packing on the grams.
Practicing Patience During the Bonding Process
Building trust takes time. If you have exceptionally shy or skittish rats, they may take a little longer to come around. If you notice they shy away from your hand, don’t force the interaction. Allowing them to come to you and letting them explore this new relationship at their own pace is what will build trust and ensure you bond with your pet rat.
Keep in mind rats are like us. They all have different personalities and temperaments. Some may take a little longer to bond than others. Especially if they didn’t come from a prior home where they were handled often or were possibly mistreated.
Handling Your Pet Rats with Care
Handling your pet rats often early on is key for bonding. Once your new babies are settled in and you have become acquainted, be sure to take them out at least once a day. Begin by simply picking them up, and then placing them back down. Do this a few times while you have them out so they become accustomed to being handled. Maybe even reward them with some fun nibbles.
Tip: To make your rats feel more secure, place one hand under their bottom, and the other hand under their front arms. I have never held a rat by using one hand and only supporting them under their front arms. Who wants to dangle like an ornament from a Christmas tree? … Not me!
Maintaining Consistency for Stronger Bonds
In time, you will become associated with positive experiences, making you a cherished member of their rat family. However, like a flower, this bond needs consistent nurturing to grow and flourish. If you are not present enough early on, the progress you made can quickly fade. So don’t miss out on crucial bonding time!
Tip: Establish a daily routine and spend time with your rats the same time each day. (Remember rats are nocturnal, take them out too early and they may be more interested in sleeping than playing)
Enjoying The Benefits of a Lasting Bond
What I find most rewarding about bonding with new rats is gradually seeing the trust build over time. From the initial hesitation as they take a treat from my hand to their enthusiastic attempts to climb me like a mountain, the journey is truly a heartwarming experience. Seeing an animal radiate pure joy, simply from your presence, makes all the effort worthwhile. I’m excited for you to experience this beautiful, unbreakable connection for yourself.
Remember to be patient, gentle, and understanding. With time, everything will fall into place, and bonding with your pet rat will have become one of the most memorable experiences of being a rat owner.