Socializing Blind Rat?

Pepper97 · February 2010

I hand feed him all the time. He has no problem being around humans, but if we touch him he nips us. Aggressively. Any advice?

Pepper97 · February 2010

Ok so I just lifted up his hide and he bit me so hard that I'm bleeding. Helpp?

Hibachi · February 2010

I would suggest not handling him for now, it seems to be stressing him. Once he settles down a little gradually work with him, but don't start off immediately picking him up. Let him get use to your scent and then start working into petting him.

SC`s Stars II · February 2010

Avla wrote:

I would suggest not handling him for now, it seems to be stressing him. Once he settles down a little gradually work with him, but don't start off immediately picking him up. Let him get use to your scent and then start working into petting him.

Yep, wait for him to calm down. If he still nips (even if your not touching him) try maybe softly petting him iwth something other than your fingers. Try petting him gently with something like a Q-tip or popsicle stick

Let him get used to the feeling of being touched. Also before you touch him with anything (or you touch him) make sure he knows that your hand is approaching. Softly snap your fingers near him so he knows your near and might touch him. He might just be surprised by the sudden feeling of being touched by soething he didn't know was there

Kidashka · February 2010

DONT USE YOUR HAND but put a little butter on a popsicle stick and touch him with it. then when he starts to lick it try to pet him. Maybe if you reward him like that then he will gradually welcome touch.

iluvdogs111 · February 2010

Yes, exactly what everyone else said! He will be more likely to bite if doesn't know you're about to pet him so make a little noise or something first. As said before, don't use your hand until he gets used to being touched with something else. Touch him lightly and don't grip him or hold him to firmly-he may feel trapped and that'll make him even more scared. I don't know if he likes treats but if so give them to him when you touch him.

Kidashka · February 2010

iluvdogs111 wrote:

Yes, exactly what everyone else said! He will be more likely to bite if doesn't know you're about to pet him so make a little noise or something first. As said before, don't use your hand until he gets used to being touched with something else. Touch him lightly and don't grip him or hold him to firmly-he may feel trapped and that'll make him even more scared. I don't know if he likes treats but if so give them to him when you touch him.

wow...no need to get rude.... :? i only tried to help

ShesTheManROX · February 2010

Kidashka wrote:

iluvdogs111 wrote:

Yes, exactly what everyone else said! He will be more likely to bite if doesn't know you're about to pet him so make a little noise or something first. As said before, don't use your hand until he gets used to being touched with something else. Touch him lightly and don't grip him or hold him to firmly-he may feel trapped and that'll make him even more scared. I don't know if he likes treats but if so give them to him when you touch him.

 wow...no need to get rude.... :? i only tried to help

I dont understand what was rude about any of that? Pepper I just wanna wish you good luck

reina__ · February 2010

Smack him. That'll calm him down. Just kidding. If I knew about rats I'd help you!

iluvdogs111 · February 2010

Kidashka wrote:

iluvdogs111 wrote:

Yes, exactly what everyone else said! He will be more likely to bite if doesn't know you're about to pet him so make a little noise or something first. As said before, don't use your hand until he gets used to being touched with something else. Touch him lightly and don't grip him or hold him to firmly-he may feel trapped and that'll make him even more scared. I don't know if he likes treats but if so give them to him when you touch him.

 wow...no need to get rude.... :? i only tried to help

Exuse me? I'm sorry, but what was rude about that?

reina__ · February 2010

Don't give it any more thought people. Maybe you read it wrong..

Hibachi · February 2010

I would also like to point out that some animals can never be tame, since he is blind he will use the fight or flight response more so than if he was not blind. Ajax is a lot more skittish, when he wasn't before Rouge died, so I don't mess with him. I give him his food and water and leave him be. The only time he needs to be handled is when I am traveling or cleaning his cage. And he uses flight mode more than fight, he's really sweet and has never bitten or attempted to. You can still love an animal without handling, I would also recommend getting gloves (like gardening type) because they are thick enough so that the bite won't make you bleed or cause much harm. You can also use those until he is "tame".

RoyalRaccoon · February 2010

I have to agree with Avla, some blind animals can't adapt, so you have to. My doctor adopted 2 dane pups, and one was blind. It was good at first, but the blind dane slowly got more and more aggressive around her and the other dogs. He didn't respond to any type of training for blind dogs, so all she can does is continue with it in hopes he'll learn, but remain respectful by not pushing him beyond his limits or expecting him to get used to it. Even if your ratty remains untamed always talk to him, and tap next to him or on the cage(if he is in it) to let him know you are now nearby. He'll be less likely to get suddenly frightened, and thus less likely to hurt himself or you. Rats, friendly or not, can always be a little jumpy, so it's always important to announce yourself. My female, who is a sweetheart that has nothing wrong with her, still gets scared every so often if I forget to announce I'm next to her cage while she is sound asleep in her box. She doesn't bite, but it breaks my heart when she bolts to a corner, and stares at me like I'm a big hungry cat.

Avla wrote:

You can still love an animal without handling

Very true words.

Pepper97 · February 2010

Thanks people. xD I didn't think I'd get this much of a response. He is definately not afraid of me. When I open the door to the cage and set it on my led to make a sort of ramp over to me, he climbs up and sniffs my hand very calmly. If I smell like food, sometimes he'll lick me. When I take Tar out, he follows and climbs onto my leg to try and find out where he went. He's the sweetest thing, just doesn't want to be held or touched. And once, I lifted up the hide and picked him up real fast from his sleep and he let me hold him for a few seconds before Tar came and butted in.

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Socializing Blind Rat?

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