Owning Pet Rats - Bonding
Bonding is a major component of owning pet rats and has a direct impact on how well you will enjoy them as pets, as well as their overall quality of life. Pet rats require daily interaction with their human caregivers, and time outside their cage to exercise and play. I recommend no less than 1-2 hours per day, and longer whenever possible. Honestly, the more time you can spend with your rats, the better. Think of them like little puppies, because they are similar to puppies in many ways. They thrive on social interactions, and are affectionate, and can also be trained to do tricks. They also tend to be food driven and enjoy food-based rewards. This is why some people like to refer to pet rats as "pocket puppies".
If you're bringing home new rats, you'll want to begin the process of bonding with them as soon as possible. This can be done a few different ways. Once you get them home and into a cage, sit or stand beside the cage and watch them, while talking to them softly. Allow them to grow accustomed to your presence and voice. Try not to make sudden noises or movements, though, don't avoid making normal daily household noises, as you'll want to desensitize them to things like music and televisions, the sound of other pets and people who live in the home, running water, vacuum cleaners, and so on, if they haven't already been exposed to such environmental noise by their breeder.
Offer them food and treats and hold them in your hand patiently until your pet takes them. Hand feeding establishes trust, and helps your rats recognize you as a source of food and rewards. It's important to remember that you want to create positive associations between yourself and your rat. Hand feeding is also essential in training rats to do tricks.
When you are ready to pick up your pet rat to bring them out of the cage, try to hold out your hand until they climb into it, or use both hands to cup underneath your rat to pick them up. Some rats tolerate being grabbed from above, but they don't prefer being picked up in this way. It is best to support their feet underneath them when picking up your pet rat.
Once your pet rat is out of their cage and you want to begin the process of shoulder training, it can be very helpful to wear a hooded garment backward (so that the hood lies against your chest) and allow the rats to sit inside the hood. This provides them with a space that is a bit dark and feels safe and warm while getting used to your movements, voice, and scent, further cementing the bonding process. You can also purchase items called snuggle sacks, to wear like a scarf so that your rats can snuggle against you. I personally wear my hoodies backward more than forward these days, as it's my favourite way to spend snuggly time with our rats.
As your rats become more comfortable with you through snuggling in your hoodie or a snuggle sack, they will eventually begin climbing around on you, and getting accustomed to sitting or lying on your shoulder or in your arms. I have found this the most effective and natural method of shoulder training rats.
Once your rats have learned to accept food from you, you can begin training them to do simple tricks like spinning in circles, or more advanced games like fetch. YouTube has a multitude of helpful videos on training pet rats to do tricks, so be sure to check a few out. Trick training is a fabulous way to enrich your rats' lives and stimulate them with play. Not to mention it can provide you with some really fun entertainment.
Bonding is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of owning pet rats, as a bonded rat is often very happy and affectionate, giving kisses and boggling with contentment as they snuggle with you or hopping joyfully as they play with you. They are truly sweet and loving little creatures.
snuggled up in my backward hoodie,
looking very content.
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