How to Handle a Timid Rat

Rats adopted from shelters or rescued from lab situations, or even rats purchased from pet stores can be untrusting, fearful and timid when handled by humans. With a dedication of time and patience, you can use trust-training methods to reassure antisocial and timid rats and make them loving, trusting pets.

Things You'll Need

  • Spoon
  • Baby food or yogurt
  • Companion rat
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wait until the rat is tired or sleepy before attempting to hold it. Many rats, especially females and babies, would rather run and explore and are uncomfortable being held. Wait until the rat is tired and sleeping before attempting to hold it.

    • 2

      Use baby food or yogurt to lure the rat. A very timid rat will be leery of being handled. Place baby food or yogurt in a spoon and use it to entice the rat to come toward you. Soft foods in a spoon are good because the rat can't grab them and run away. First offer the food in the cage, so the rat will readily come to it before trying to use it to entice the rat out of the cage.

    • 3

      Train the rat to come out of the cage and onto you using the spoon with soft food. Once the rat will readily accept the food off the spoon in the cage, use the spoon to lure the rat onto your hand, then up your arm and out of the cage. Use this technique in small increments, moving the spoon further each time to make the rat secure. Too far too fast will defeat the purpose.

    • 4

      Get another rat as a companion to your timid rat to provide both necessary stimulation and instill confidence. Rats are social creatures and need as much as four hours of human attention a day if kept alone. Rats copy what they see. Another rat that is already socialized to humans and will let you handle it will provide the timid rat with the security and confidence it needs to approach you.