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8:29am August 16, 2014

➸ Rat cuties!

soilrockslove:

daddyraerae:

So I agreed to take in a friends rats because he can no longer provide the attention they need. These rats are bonded together and have lived together for over a year, but I’m not sure how much human socialization they have had.

Does anyone have any tips on how I should go about handling them to…

So give them some time to get used to their new home.  That might take a day or even longer.

After that, let them smell you and reach out a hand and try to pet them.  If they are nervous be very slow. And give them treats when you pet them so it’s a time to look forward to. :)  In general be quiet and gentle.  I’ve found that a lot of rats like it if you talk to them, but they seem to pick up on tone more than words so sing-song seems to be appreciated.

Don’t pick them up until they are really happy being petted.  Unless you really have to.  The same goes for holding them in place against their will.  Respect what they want to do.

Hope you all enjoy eachother’s company. :)

(Note:  If they’ve had a *really* bad past life, they might try and bite.  This is pretty rare, but if it happens and you need more specific tips, feel free to talk to me.)