Comments for Fat Rat Central http://fatratcentral.com The best place for pet rat info and collaboration Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:44:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 Comment on My rat bites! by Helen Sweet http://fatratcentral.com/2006/07/28/my-rat-bites/comment-page-1/#comment-13533 Helen Sweet Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:24:08 +0000 http://fatratcentral.com/2006/07/28/my-rat-bites/#comment-13533 Hi Geneva, Firstly, don't put her in a seperate cage. She will learn to trust you over time trhough observaing your other friendly rats confidence of you. Has your new rat been well socialised (i.e. is she from a breeder)? Pet shop rats have usually not been handled much and it can take time to get them to trust you. But you can 'trust train' rats - you just need time and patience. I had problems with my first boy when I got him (foolishly from a pet shop as I didn't no any better at the time). He was very skittish and would bite to warn me to stay away... but step by step we made excellent progress and we became the best of friends. I suggest getting a book on rat care, or else do a google search for 'trust training rats'. Hope this helps and best of luck, Helen Hi Geneva,

Firstly, don’t put her in a seperate cage. She will learn to trust you over time trhough observaing your other friendly rats confidence of you.

Has your new rat been well socialised (i.e. is she from a breeder)? Pet shop rats have usually not been handled much and it can take time to get them to trust you. But you can ‘trust train’ rats - you just need time and patience.

I had problems with my first boy when I got him (foolishly from a pet shop as I didn’t no any better at the time). He was very skittish and would bite to warn me to stay away… but step by step we made excellent progress and we became the best of friends.

I suggest getting a book on rat care, or else do a google search for ‘trust training rats’.

Hope this helps and best of luck,
Helen

]]> Comment on My rat bites! by Geneva http://fatratcentral.com/2006/07/28/my-rat-bites/comment-page-1/#comment-13469 Geneva Sun, 14 Feb 2010 01:01:22 +0000 http://fatratcentral.com/2006/07/28/my-rat-bites/#comment-13469 i just got a young female rat as a companion for my other young one. the older one is as sweet as can be and the new one can see her approach me and come on my hand and etc. but this new one bites me for no reason. i was petting her one day and then she just turned her head and bit my finger hard even though i had pet her for like a minute. any pointers? im thinking of seperating them and putting her in another cage so she is not as dependent on my older one. I dont want to get rid of her for being aggressive but shes not really responding to me i just got a young female rat as a companion for my other young one. the older one is as sweet as can be and the new one can see her approach me and come on my hand and etc. but this new one bites me for no reason. i was petting her one day and then she just turned her head and bit my finger hard even though i had pet her for like a minute. any pointers?

im thinking of seperating them and putting her in another cage so she is not as dependent on my older one. I dont want to get rid of her for being aggressive but shes not really responding to me

]]> Comment on When a rat dies by Stephanie http://fatratcentral.com/2006/04/22/when-a-rat-dies/comment-page-1/#comment-13322 Stephanie Sat, 16 Jan 2010 10:30:31 +0000 http://fatratcentral.com/2006/04/22/when-a-rat-dies/#comment-13322 I have Owned several rats in the past but I currently had 5 rats. All females,: Adults(assumed 3 years or more)Mimu and Minge...And the babied who are assumed to be about 1 and a half years named Stinky, Peanut, and Giffy... For the past month and a half Giffy has had pnuemonia, bronchitis, and mycoplasmosis(they all have). Drastically she lost weight, NEVER ate, barely drank, and couldn't move, just layed their staring, breathing very hard. In the last 2 weeks, she down spriraled instantly to the point of her mouth gasping open as wide as it can to get a breathe of air. This erratic, loud breathing broke out into panic attacks from not be able to get air and would run frantically around the bed scared shitless..... I've never felt so helpless...She would run on me or my bf as we lay on the bed with her..trying to comfort her as she struggled. In the past 3 days...I knew it...It was so bad at this point..She could hardely breath. She weighted nothing. The doctor told me it was a waiting game...and it was...Last night I cam home and layed with her as she struggled and her panic attacks were now as frequent as every 20 mins...for about 10 minutes a peice. She would leap into the air scared... Finally I fell asleep(trying to stay up with her) Then at about 2:45 A.M my bf woke up and said he hadn't seen giff giff b/c she usually woke him up when she would run frantically over him while sleeping and wake him. He woke me up and I saw him in the corner of the bed looking under the pillow giff giff always went under...She was dead....I've never cried so hard in my life..I've been so depressed and can't eat or anything. My rats are my babies, my life. And i cannot bare to do this again... let alone 4 more times... I left her body and took out her 2 other cage mates one by one and put them by the body...He sister Peanut sniffed her for a minute..then after I took the body away she sniffed the area giff giff was laying...She knew...I could tell...Stinky(not sister but still cage mate) quickly sniffed then went away...but she has ear infection which makes her verry hyper active and does not hold still.Should I have put the body in the cage..They are on my bed wayyy more then the cage so I brought the girls to see her dead on the bed...oh my god, i feel soooo giulty for not doing more for my geef geef.It seems i will never get over this....ever....i havn't slept in 2 days b/c i was upo with her...then when i fall asleep...she passes away......oh my god....my poor baby.... I have Owned several rats in the past but I currently had 5 rats. All females,: Adults(assumed 3 years or more)Mimu and Minge…And the babied who are assumed to be about 1 and a half years named Stinky, Peanut, and Giffy… For the past month and a half Giffy has had pnuemonia, bronchitis, and mycoplasmosis(they all have). Drastically she lost weight, NEVER ate, barely drank, and couldn’t move, just layed their staring, breathing very hard. In the last 2 weeks, she down spriraled instantly to the point of her mouth gasping open as wide as it can to get a breathe of air. This erratic, loud breathing broke out into panic attacks from not be able to get air and would run frantically around the bed scared shitless….. I’ve never felt so helpless…She would run on me or my bf as we lay on the bed with her..trying to comfort her as she struggled. In the past 3 days…I knew it…It was so bad at this point..She could hardely breath. She weighted nothing. The doctor told me it was a waiting game…and it was…Last night I cam home and layed with her as she struggled and her panic attacks were now as frequent as every 20 mins…for about 10 minutes a peice. She would leap into the air scared… Finally I fell asleep(trying to stay up with her) Then at about 2:45 A.M my bf woke up and said he hadn’t seen giff giff b/c she usually woke him up when she would run frantically over him while sleeping and wake him. He woke me up and I saw him in the corner of the bed looking under the pillow giff giff always went under…She was dead….I’ve never cried so hard in my life..I’ve been so depressed and can’t eat or anything. My rats are my babies, my life. And i cannot bare to do this again… let alone 4 more times… I left her body and took out her 2 other cage mates one by one and put them by the body…He sister Peanut sniffed her for a minute..then after I took the body away she sniffed the area giff giff was laying…She knew…I could tell…Stinky(not sister but still cage mate) quickly sniffed then went away…but she has ear infection which makes her verry hyper active and does not hold still.Should I have put the body in the cage..They are on my bed wayyy more then the cage so I brought the girls to see her dead on the bed…oh my god, i feel soooo giulty for not doing more for my geef geef.It seems i will never get over this….ever….i havn’t slept in 2 days b/c i was upo with her…then when i fall asleep…she passes away……oh my god….my poor baby….

]]> Comment on When a rat dies by Emma http://fatratcentral.com/2006/04/22/when-a-rat-dies/comment-page-1/#comment-12829 Emma Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:26:20 +0000 http://fatratcentral.com/2006/04/22/when-a-rat-dies/#comment-12829 I'm so confused. My boy,Rico died some time yesterday (he was fine in the morning,by evening we found him lying dead at the front of the cage) and his brother,Nico seems fine? He's eating (more than usual,if anything!) and drinking and apart from seeming a little more exited than usual and being a bit wary of us,seems himself? Is it possible for them to NOT grieve/get on well afterwards? I’m so confused.
My boy,Rico died some time yesterday (he was fine in the morning,by evening we found him lying dead at the front of the cage) and his brother,Nico seems fine?
He’s eating (more than usual,if anything!) and drinking and apart from seeming a little more exited than usual and being a bit wary of us,seems himself?

Is it possible for them to NOT grieve/get on well afterwards?

]]> Comment on My rat bites! by Timnah http://fatratcentral.com/2006/07/28/my-rat-bites/comment-page-1/#comment-12761 Timnah Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:43:25 +0000 http://fatratcentral.com/2006/07/28/my-rat-bites/#comment-12761 A book called The Complete Guide to Rat Training: Tricks and Games for Rat Fun and Fitness, by Debbie Ducommun, has a great deal of training and acclimation information that is very useful for socializing rats. Also, as Sarah related in her comment, some males develop an overload of testosterone and need to be neutered. A book called The Complete Guide to Rat Training: Tricks and Games for Rat Fun and Fitness, by Debbie Ducommun, has a great deal of training and acclimation information that is very useful for socializing rats.

Also, as Sarah related in her comment, some males develop an overload of testosterone and need to be neutered.

]]> Comment on Would a mouse be a good companion for my rat? by Amanda http://fatratcentral.com/2006/03/14/would-a-mouse-be-a-good-companion-for-my-rat-2/comment-page-1/#comment-12732 Amanda Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:24:19 +0000 http://fatratcentral.com/2006/03/14/would-a-mouse-be-a-good-companion-for-my-rat-2/#comment-12732 NO! lol that would not be a good idea at all, rats are omnivores not herbevores so they eat meat and allthough rats are genrally scavengers they would quite likely squash or possibly even intentianaly kill a mouse and then eat it, it has been known to happen. rats and mice are both great pets but if you want both keep them seperate, they wont be bothered by the others presence in the same room the way most rabbits and dogs would be. NO! lol that would not be a good idea at all, rats are omnivores not herbevores so they eat meat and allthough rats are genrally scavengers they would quite likely squash or possibly even intentianaly kill a mouse and then eat it, it has been known to happen.

rats and mice are both great pets but if you want both keep them seperate, they wont be bothered by the others presence in the same room the way most rabbits and dogs would be.

]]> Comment on Welcome! by K Rat http://fatratcentral.com/2006/03/13/welcome-2/comment-page-1/#comment-12724 K Rat Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:49:11 +0000 http://fatratcentral.com/2006/03/13/welcome-2/#comment-12724 Hey Jena and Rat Luver, I noticed that when my rats climb on me and their nails scratch my skin, the scratch becomes red, raised and itches, but it goes away in about an hour- is that what you are talking about? That's from the bacteria from their cage getting under the skin by way of the nail and causing irritation. If that's not it and I'm way off, that is really a shame... and strange! Hey Jena and Rat Luver, I noticed that when my rats climb on me and their nails scratch my skin, the scratch becomes red, raised and itches, but it goes away in about an hour- is that what you are talking about? That’s from the bacteria from their cage getting under the skin by way of the nail and causing irritation.
If that’s not it and I’m way off, that is really a shame… and strange!

]]> Comment on My rat bites! by Rob http://fatratcentral.com/2006/07/28/my-rat-bites/comment-page-1/#comment-12650 Rob Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:35:55 +0000 http://fatratcentral.com/2006/07/28/my-rat-bites/#comment-12650 My male rat, is only a few months old and i have him now for about a month. At first he didnt bite, he would smell my hands and sit on my shoulder and fall asleep in my hood BUT now he has just gone so aggressive. I thought of putting some liquid treat on my finger but instead he gnawed at my finger and ripped skin off. He won't let me grab him as he always squirms, squeaks and then bites. He has drawn blood from me twice now. So i left him for a couple of days to calm down. He's in a quiet, safe environment. And for the past 2 weeks i have slowly been trying to socialise with him, let him know my surroundings but block off wires and anywhere he can hide but he is still very aggressive and keeps trying to grab my fingers near the bars of his cage and he keeps biting me. I'm considering selling him and getting two females but i don't want to get rid of him as all my previous have never bitten or nibbled me. Can someone please offer any advice or information. I would really appreciate it. Thanks. My male rat, is only a few months old and i have him now for about a month. At first he didnt bite, he would smell my hands and sit on my shoulder and fall asleep in my hood BUT now he has just gone so aggressive. I thought of putting some liquid treat on my finger but instead he gnawed at my finger and ripped skin off. He won’t let me grab him as he always squirms, squeaks and then bites. He has drawn blood from me twice now. So i left him for a couple of days to calm down. He’s in a quiet, safe environment. And for the past 2 weeks i have slowly been trying to socialise with him, let him know my surroundings but block off wires and anywhere he can hide but he is still very aggressive and keeps trying to grab my fingers near the bars of his cage and he keeps biting me. I’m considering selling him and getting two females but i don’t want to get rid of him as all my previous have never bitten or nibbled me.

Can someone please offer any advice or information. I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

]]> Comment on Welcome! by Rat Luver http://fatratcentral.com/2006/03/13/welcome-2/comment-page-1/#comment-12637 Rat Luver Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:31:05 +0000 http://fatratcentral.com/2006/03/13/welcome-2/#comment-12637 Hey Jena, I break out to!!! My first rat snoopy it never happened.... then with my second rat fergie it never happened then with my third rat anastatia it never happened.... but all of a sudden with cinnamon my fourth i started to break out.... i just hope it doesnt get so bad that i will have to give away the two rats i have now... somebody help!!!!! Hey Jena,

I break out to!!! My first rat snoopy it never happened…. then with my second rat fergie it never happened then with my third rat anastatia it never happened…. but all of a sudden with cinnamon my fourth i started to break out…. i just hope it doesnt get so bad that i will have to give away the two rats i have now…

somebody help!!!!!

]]> Comment on My rat bites! by Charlotte http://fatratcentral.com/2006/07/28/my-rat-bites/comment-page-1/#comment-12631 Charlotte Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:23:27 +0000 http://fatratcentral.com/2006/07/28/my-rat-bites/#comment-12631 my rat does the same thing im not sure why because i have two and one is completely fine with me then the other bites and really hates it :S my rat does the same thing im not sure why because i have two and one is completely fine with me then the other bites and really hates it :S

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