Hi! I got pet shop rats yesterday, October 16th, and they’re incredibly skittish, but they’re very active when I’m in the room but not near the cage.

It has only been a day so I know they’re adjusting to their environment, but how can I make them more comfortable and start the binding experience?

Currently, they have zoomies, and so I tried to offer a snack and they immediately ran away. I’m worried I’m scaring them or traumatising them by offering my hand if snacks too soon. What would you do?

One of my boys, Ilo for rat tax, and Milo’s face in the corner.

These little noodle lovers know how to turn snack time into a feast. Watch the boys enjoy their tasty treat, one noodle at a time!

Never change, Snickers. The world needs your whiskers, your charm, and those magnificent googly eyes.

Hey all!
I’m a first time rat parent of three baby boys (7.5 weeks old). I’ve had them for less than a week!
I have been struggling to handle them as they always run away and squeal when I try to pick them up. One of them let me pick him up yesterday and even slept in my hoodie for quite some time, but squealed when I picked him up again today so I let him go.
I called my breeder to ask for advice, as she had told me they were very comfortable being handled and used to it since birth.
She told me to just grab them, and when I asked in what way she said to just go for it and “just grab them”. She told me rats are dramatic and will squeak and run away but that I should still pick them up and put them in my hoodie so they get used to it. She told me not to worry about them running away, and that they are probably just mocking me and having a good time. She then said one time one of her rats (she has like 40 at home) just hid away under the couch for three days, “mocking her mommy”… she said this while laughing.
I found this very concerning, as to me it sounds like the rat was probably absolutely terrified. I can’t imagine ever leaving one of my boys under the couch for three days scared and away from his brothers. I can’t imagine the rat finding this amusing or doing this to “mock his mommy”.
I have not followed her advice, and have just stuck to doing what my rats are comfortable with (climbing on my hand to take treats while inside the cage and exploring my hands and fingers.)
I obviously know it’s important for the rats to be comfortable being handled so I can do health checks when needed and also move them to their carrier when I clean their cage and so on, as well as I’d of course love to be able to have them close to me. But forcing them while scared just seems like a mean and inhumane approach, and hearing her rat hid away from her from three days makes me doubt her advice even more.
I’m not an experienced rat owner whatsoever though, and would love some insight from you guys who have been keeping rats for longer.
Am I overreacting? Was her rat just “mocking mommy” and having a fun time? Is it okay to pick up a squealing rat that’s trying to escape your hands?

He's upset I didn't bring the treats and is standing on principle. Look at his little lip though! 😭

The Rat Pack gets a Treat!

Bonding with my Himalayan Rat Marbles ❤️

They have absolutely no self-control around animal crackers!

He is so cute! 🫠

Today, the boys are here to collect what they believe is rightfully theirs: THE TOAST TAX!

He's really enjoying it! 😊

Snickers and the Gang wanted to say Hi! 🫠

Some rats are graceful. Some are dignified. And then there’s Cubby Bear. He’s clumsy, silly, goofy, and can we PLEASE talk about those adorable little elf ears?! I’m pretty sure Cubby Bear is supposed to be a rat… but somewhere along the way, he decided he’d rather be a tiny little woodland elf. 😂

It’s Tuesday afternoon, and the Rat Pack has officially decided they’ve had enough of this day. 😂🐀 From sleepy faces to questionable shenanigans, these little troublemakers are just doing what they do best—making Tuesday a little more entertaining!

Ferret and his twin brother Flea-Bug had a squabble over the weekend.

Marbles doesn’t overreact. He simply reacts at maximum volume.

Welcome to another episode of absolute rat nonsense!

Mouse loves to carry his favorite ball around as a signal that he's ready to play!

Mouse plays fetch with his favorite ball and Snickers takes over at the end.