Knowledgeable rat owners please help....

[Gomez]

Noticed on another thread a few recommendations for rats as a pet. We got one on Saturday from SSPCA and he is not a happy boy - can you help?

He has a large cage - with tubes etc.
Bedding - but no seperate bed compartment.
Have tried feeding both rat museli and nuggets
We have spoken to him and offered treats everyday.
He is not eating as much as I feel he should (one portion of food has lasted since Sunday) although he is pooing.
NOT drinking much water.
Not exploring - there are two ledges in his cage and he hasn't made it to any othem or if he has he didn't eat the goody I left for him
Tonight he nipped me twice as I tried to get him used to smell of me - i.e. I had cage open and my hand sitting in it with no titbits he basically came over and nipped finger.
He will hide in one tube whilst I pick up poo and dirty litter.
I think we need to get him out or at least persuade him to come over for a stroke but I don't want to have to scoop him out of cage as he will proably be too scared (and might bite me again...)

Any advise?

I had rats as a kid and they were fab but had them from teeny so no sure what to do with adult male who doesn't want to play (think he is about 18 months)

I have had rats for a couple of years and everything you are doing sounds pretty good.
By SSPCA I'm guessing at an animal shelter? MY guessing would be that he is still very wary of you and is testing you out. I get the feeling that he may have been "abused" by previous owners, it takes time to trust.
I have two rats and they go through 2 average portions of food a week so it sounds like he is eating fine, just vary the diet with treats of fresh friut and veg, maybe something off your plate as they love titbits!!! Just don't give too much milk or sugar as its not great for them.
I would not put your hand in the cage as he probably sees it as invasion of territory, just open the door and let him poke his head out and sniff. Have fun but take your time. HTH

Thanks Spurmum - I will keep my sweaty mitt out the cage then and let him come over and have a sniff if he fancies it .

Reassured on the food front also. Should we have him in a noisy main living space (with accompanying squealing of a 14 month old) or should he be somewhere a bit quieter.

(Note I am not telling you where he is at present...)

We used to keep rats and kept two at a time as they are social animals. So he could be a bit lonely.
He also probably needs a bit of time to settle in. Try and get him out at a quiet time so that he can get used to being handled.
We also found all of our rats had different personalities, some were very social where as others didn't enjoy so much attention.

My rats are in the living room with my 3.5 year old ASD ds. They are nosey little rodents!!!
Rats are very inquisitive so would probably like to be somewhere where they can see everything going on.
Go on where have you hidden the rodent?

I would keep him in the noisy place with you lot or he will probably end up nervy when he does hear noise, and you cant forget about him if hes int he same room, also they are facinating to watch.
IME rats dont eat all the food in the bowl, they just eat the bits they like.
Have you a hammock they like those.
And maybe a ladder so when you want him to come out he can get out himself and gets to know the ladder means spending time with you?
Im jealous, I have gerbils who are gorgeous, but they are not rats...

Sad Fred is in DD1's bedroom - and will be moved tomorrow! I fought with DH over this one but think he needs moved to get used to us more.

Excuse my poor English and thanks again for your help.

Not a problem!! Hope he becomes more sociable soon.

Our rats live in the kitchen!!!