RatPalace.com - Pet Rat Care and Discussion

Tue Feb 14, 2006 8:34 am

I'm not entirely sure how to get my rats used to places outside their cage. I hear of people bringing their rats to work (in a cage, I'm sure), a friend of mine took one of her rats to school in her sweater, and another took one to the mall in her sweater. But HOW? If I bring my rats anywhere out of my/their room, they start dropping fear poops and start acting up like crazy, and they're super laid back in my room.

I've tried the sitting on my shoulders thing with a hoodie (to the protest of my scratched up neck) and they just scurry about in panick and climb down my arms or pinch the skin on my neck with their little hands as hard as possible and refuse to let go.

I'm just wondering how people can bring their rats out and into public places without terrifying the poop (literally) out of them. Do any of you bring your rats to the mall/wherever?

Tue Feb 14, 2006 7:21 pm

I've never brought my rats to the mall or anywhere like that...I've brought them to a friend's house once, in a little cage and they were fine. They loved all the attention and hung out on various shoulders and ran around pooping all over the table while we tried to play poker...I also brought all three of my rats to the vet in a large cloth bag lined with a towel. They snuggled up in there until they felt comfortable and then crawled out to get into my shirt or into the hood of my sweatshirt. I'm still new to rats so I don't know why mine don't seem to mind new places...The only thing I can think of is that I carry them around on my shoulders almost all the time that I'm at home. I do everything with them on shoulders or in my shirt or in my hood...I watch TV, I do my homework, I cook, do dishes, clean their cage, go to the bathroom, clean the litter box...so the only thing I can think of is that they've become very comfortable with me and they feel safe wherever they are as long as they have easy access to my hood or the inside of my shirt. Maybe you could try walking around your house with them (as much as you can stand the pain of little rattie claws in your neck) while you go about your business, so they can be comfortable riding around with you? And treats, give them lots and lots of treats

Tue Feb 14, 2006 8:46 pm

I take mine for walks.. I let them sit in my hoody and put a scarf on so they can hide.. and keep nice and warm.. and that's about it.. if anything mine smell new things and it's hell trying to get them to stay on me!!

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Tue Feb 14, 2006 10:18 pm

OMG!!! My rats are very socialized! They love to go "bye bye"!!! They know it too.. when ever I put on a Hoodie and grab my keys they are all over the cage doors (I leave the cage open 24-7). They know the first into the hoodie gets to go with mom! Its usually a fight to see whos goes. BUt then my girls get spoiled rotten when they are out with me.

I have Katy who used to go everywhere with me. Shes getting really crabby in her old age, and she now has a tumor, but when she was younger... the only time she was truely happy is when she was out with me.

Its just something youahve to work towards.... Try putting treats in the bottom of your hood and then putting them in there.. see if they find the treat... Something they REALLY like!

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Wed Feb 15, 2006 12:38 am

Thanks everyone. I'll have to give this all a shot. Hopefully the treats will keep them up there; they seem so bent on trying to fall off my shoulders. Rolling Eyes

Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:45 pm

its kinda like with kids... if you give them treats and get going.. they are usually pretty happy.

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Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:04 am

I've taken Damion everywhere with me. Minus food shopping he's ALWAYS with me. And although I think that treats and training could help..I really also think that it depends on the temperment of the rat as to whether they'll feel really comfortable. Sometimes it's just their personality. And of course sometimes it's just the fact that they're lil booger butts and just absolutely won't sit still and gotta go go go. As for the fear pooping thing that's something that could probably be over come. try taking them out in a box or a small cage into the kitchen or living room or even outside. Let them get used to the smells and noises. It could take a while, but I'm sure it can be done. Good luck to you