soconfused
New member
I bought two female rats from petsmart a little over a week ago and named them Tilly and Gigette. Gigette was extremely sweet and friendly and I got instantly attached to her. Unfortunately I had to return her to the store for some medical care (she had a resp. infection) and will be getting her back in a week. I kept Tilly because I knew Gigette would be coming back, but now I'm having second guesses about her. She only wants to be along in the cage and wants NOTHING to do with me. Ive tried socialization on her time by leaving the cage door open for literally hours at a time while I watched a movie. She isnt even curious in coming out, she just curls up and sleeps. She wont take treats from me either, even high value ones. I figured because she was comfortable enough to sleep around me I would try to take her out and force socialization (she never bites or shows aggression) but she gets so scared she poops and pees all over and is literally frozen with fear. She does not want to be held and just tries to crawl into a dark space to hide.
I just dont know what to do at this point. Ive read everything I could find and all I see is "give her time". But the thing is I'm new to owning rats and the only reason I got them was because of how sweet and cuddly (or curious) they could be. I have a studio apartment they can run around in and I feel bad for saying it but... this isnt what i signed up for. I don't even know if she will ever like me and I dont know how to make her when she has no interest what so ever in checking me out or accepting food from me. Gigette was great and I can't wait to get her back... she was everything I thought a pet rat would be... I just don't know what to do about Tilly. I know all personalities are different, but I really wanted something else. I get frustrated thinking the next 3 years of my life are going to be with an anti social rat that wants nothing to do with me. Is she going to change and like me? Or should I return her and take my chances looking for a more outgoing rat that I would rather have?
I just dont know what to do at this point. Ive read everything I could find and all I see is "give her time". But the thing is I'm new to owning rats and the only reason I got them was because of how sweet and cuddly (or curious) they could be. I have a studio apartment they can run around in and I feel bad for saying it but... this isnt what i signed up for. I don't even know if she will ever like me and I dont know how to make her when she has no interest what so ever in checking me out or accepting food from me. Gigette was great and I can't wait to get her back... she was everything I thought a pet rat would be... I just don't know what to do about Tilly. I know all personalities are different, but I really wanted something else. I get frustrated thinking the next 3 years of my life are going to be with an anti social rat that wants nothing to do with me. Is she going to change and like me? Or should I return her and take my chances looking for a more outgoing rat that I would rather have?