Mini Mischief Rattery
Bonding & Socialization
Rats Are Social!
The first thing to know when getting a rat is that you can't get just one! Rats are social animals so they need a friend in order to thrive. No matter how much attention you give your rat, it will not be getting all the social interaction it needs if it is housed alone. Three rats is the ideal amount to start with, as it allows the rats to have more social dynamics amongst each other and provides some choice on who they want to spend time with, but at least 2 is a must. I will only adopt out rats in groups of 2 or more.
Bonding with Your Rat
All of our rats here are handled daily and temperament tested before being adopted out. That being said, it may still take time for your new rats to fully feel comfortable around you in their new home. Great ways to build trust includes hand feeding and offering treats. You can entice the rats to crawl onto your hand or arm, or pet them while they eat soft food off your hand such as avocado spread, baby food, or yogurt.
Another great way to bond is by carrying them around in a bonding pouch or cuddle scarf (these can be purchased off places like Amazon and Etsy). You can fill the pouches with a treat like cheerios and holding the pouch open next to the cage. Soon, rats will learn to crawl in and out to get treats. Eventually, once the rats crawl in, you walk them over to their free roam space while in the scarf. Then, sit in the space with them and let them leave the scarf to explore. If they get nervous, they will run back to the scarf around your neck and you will become their "safe space." This is a great way to teach them to have fun exploring new areas with you!
Free Roam Time
Regardless of the size of your cage, it is important for rats to get free roam time on a regular basis. I try to give all my rats at least 30-60 minutes outside their cage every day, or at least every other day. Carrying them around with you can be fun for everyone, but they should get some time to run and explore as well. One way to do this is by setting up a safe room to let them run around in, making sure dangers such as holes or wires are not present. Bathrooms are a great place for this if you can't use a whole room. Another way is to set up a playpen area using plastic sheets, cardboard, or some other smooth tall surface (rats can climb out if its not smooth). Some people like to utilize a bed with a "rat blanket" laid over it or a table top set up, though clever rats will learn to get off the bed with time.
One of my favorite methods is building a playpen on top of my enclosures, then opening the doors and letting the rats climb up. This method is great for more nervous rats that might not be comfortable lower down, or if you don't have any other rat safe areas set up.
Check out my videos on free roam time on my TikTok below!
