Pet Rats

[georgie115]

I got rats recently but have hardly been able to hold them as everytime i go to they seem really scared and try to bite me. I dont know if they actually are going to bite me or are just trying to get to know me but it makes me less confident with them, iv taken them out to clean them but have only held one properly. I'm not sure what to do to bond with them, i'd appreciate some advice if possible?

[toffee-apple]

Keep trying, Try to take them out and put them on you so that they can get used to your smell etc. They shouldnt bite hard, its just a warning, if they do then they must be very stressed out. Once they are used to you they are great fun so dont give up.

[deggers316]

the best way to get a rat to take to you is put under your jumper and let it smell you they don't bite unless stressed unlike hamsters, they are very sociable animals, i had two for 3 years, there normal life span, they do leave little wee trails as markers to but this is not a health hazard , handling them then carefully and stroke their heads they'll soon get use to you mine use to follow me round the house,(be careful of cables etc they will chew through them ive been cut off the phone twice while talking cos they chewed the cable)