Two shy 3-month-old female rats

[missloom]

My fiance and I just bought two 3-month-old female rats from an experienced breeder, who told us that they'd been handeled at lot as babies. The breeder said that one of them was naturally more shy than the other one, but that they both love attention.
We've had the rats for 3 days now. I'm no too worried about their shyness, but I would like to know how to make them get used to us in the best way. I've been feeding them baby food from my hand inside the cage in order to let them get used to my hands. We have taken them out a few times, but they seem nervous and leave trails of pee whilst outside. The one that is more shy keeps trying to run away and hide behind our furniture. The rats have gotten out of their cage once (we are buying a new one, which is escape proof) and are always trying to climb out (when not sleeping in the nest). They are not very interested in the toys in their cage either. When they did get out, I had to grab one of them by force because she was in an akward place. I feel horrible about this, but she wouldn't let me get to her otherwise.
We want to make the rats feel comfortable and happy. I'm just confused by all the mixed advice online about whether to keep them in the cage and just put my hand in every now and then with treats. Or whether to take them out every day and kind of force them into getting used to it.
The rats are also not eating the food in their cups. They don't seem to really know how to use the water bottles either - one of them hasn't even tried it.
All help is appreciated!!!

[Eve]

Did you see the set up the breeder has them in and do you know what he fed them on?

I can take them a little while to get used to the water bottles, just give them a hint by squeezing to let some drops out when the rats are near?

What toys do you have for them? They love things like ropes for swinging (just make sure it's not something they can eat and get damage from).

How big is there cage as rats need a lot of space as they are very energetic and love to jump and run around loads and need a lot of stimulation.

Is there a good safe space you can let them run around in and things to explore and play with? By sitting in with them they can learn playtime with you can be fun.

It takes patience and gentle firmness when handling. Picking them up confidently so they feel safe and doing it regularly is the way to get them used to the fact that you are not a threat.

Just make sure they know you are around so they don't get scared by sudden noises or movements.

They may be finding it hard to adjust to a new place even though they are so young.

Mine used to pine for me when I went away and I'd speak to him on the phone so he'd be Ok and eat.

[x31tna]

i totally understand where you are coming from... me and my ex bought two rats a while ago and they were both males. When i first got them home they just hid in their igloo house for ages so i just left them for about 24 hours until they got used to their new home, after this i kept going to speak to them so they would recognise my voice and they seemed to like it. i would open the cage so they could come and see me and they would let me tickle their nose but once i tried to pick them up they got scared and ran away.
so i was told to try treat them with some banana and it worked a treat..i put some on my hand and let them sniff it and they would come out and sit on my hand and eat it.
they are the most fascinating pets i have ever had and sadly mine have both died now :( but if you just give them time they will get used to you and it will be well worth the wait when they are sitting on your shoulder!!
let us know how it goes!!
xx

[what..the?]

The trails of pee you mention that is normal because rats dont have a bladder like we do when the need they drink and the liquid in processed the pee then just come out instantly they cannot hold it in and pee later in the cage. For this reason you have to be careful where you let the rats roam and ie what materials and unwashable places they may go.

If you let them roam free try and block off any places that they will hide and get stuck, if you cannot get them out of and tight gap your best blaocking it off with some books or cut to shape cardboard.

With regards domesticating the rats and become more familiar with them, placing their cage in the most busy room I find is the best. For example I would put the animal in the lounge next to the sofa where you are sat they then get used to your voice the tv and phone noise all sorts. They will get used to seeing you and greeting you. They will relax when you are about more this way.

[what..the?]

Try and handle at least one a day even if it is for a min or two. Always wash your hands before handling so your hands dont smell of food and when hand feeding always make sure your fingers for example are not holding a tiny treat because so times they can excitedly over bite the treat and get your finger by accident.

I think re hand feeding in their cage you have to build up a routine because I would at time poke food and treats through the cage bars and as a result they associated this with food so if you tried to put your finger through the bars to stroke them they might bite out thinking it was food.

Re types of cage get one that is easy to clean due to their constant pee you have to wipe down all the surfaces and bars inside and out, somecage are not designed well for this beleive it or not. Cages with metal bars on the side allows them to climb more and to attach toys to the interior. The plastic sided cages are not so good to attach toys if impossible plus it stops the natural airflow in and out of the cage with can cause the rats to get breathing problems due to the strong amonia in the pee that they breath in the more wire and therefore airflow the better.

To get them to drink from the water bottle put the bottle to their face and squeeze the bottle so a spurt of water comes out on their face/mouth. I did this with my guine pig yesterday, keep doing this as often as you can allong with attching the water bottle back up and tapping it with your finger to show them. Put the water bowl below in the hope they will associate the water with the bottle.

My rats used to eat 'Reggie Rat' food. Treat wise my rats loved 'reggie rat' treats and cheese wedges which are dry treats/biscuits pet shop bought

[missloom]

Thank you for all of your tips. This has been most helpful.
At the moment we have designed the following day routine for the rats: When we come home from work we feed them some treats, while putting our whole hand in the cage so that they can climb on it etc. Then at some point during the evening, I put a blanket on my lap and put both rats on it. If they try to run away, I try to pick them up confidently and put them back on the blanket. Later in the evening, I spread the blanket on our bed and create a sort of obstacle course for them using pillows, their own cage tubes and our worn t-shirts. They like running around in this and they often run on top of me as well, and are quite curious about everything.
I hope that doing this every day will make them feel more comfortable around us!
It's good to know that the peeing isn't necessarily nervousness, and they seem to be doing it less. I've been feeding them a mix of reggie rat food, dog biscuits, dried pasta and diced cucumber. The breeder fed them something similar (cornflakes, pasta, biscuits and some dried pellets). They don't seem to be interested in the reggie rat food, but they do eat the dog biscuits and cucumbers (sometimes the pasta, too). They are getting used to the water bottles as well, which is great!
We should be getting the new cage tomorrow or the day after, and I hope they will feel more comfortable in that because it has two levels and probably more opportunites to play. One of them got out of the cage last night again. The cage was in the bathroom because they can't get anywhere from there. However she decided to chomp on our bath mat and a leathery box/case that was on the floor. She doesn't seem to feel unwell, but I would be really angry with myself if she got sick of it. The whole cage situation is ridiculous - really not happy with the place that sold it as a rat cage. Well, soon they will be in a good cage and I hope I can provide them with the best care

[what..the?]

You seem to be doing all the right things.

re toys I always had the buy solid plastic and metal toys for them as the soft hamocks would be eaten in 5 sec's and the wooden items were hard the clean.

good luck