Handling your pet rat

Congratulations on your new rat! Bet you can't wait to get to know all about your pet, and once he settles in, this naturally curious and friendly fellow will want to know all about you, too. You can start to earn his trust and affection by getting him used to being handled.

Proper handling starts with... treats!

A good way to start the getting-to-know-each-other process is to offer your pet treats. You'll soon find out how much rats love to eat! We recommend small bits of healthy nibbles, like chopped-up fresh fruits and veggies, a few sunflower seeds or some crust from a slice of whole-wheat bread. Try not to get into the habit of giving your pet his treats through the bars of his cage, or he may come to learn that whatever comes to him this way, including fingers, must be a yummy snack.

When your pet is comfortable accepting treats from your hand, you can pick him up, using one hand to support his bottom and the other over his back. From there, you can cradle him against your chest. That wasn't so hard, right?! After multiple sessions, your rat will begin to get used to being handled – and he may even enjoy snuggling and demand to be petted. If he climbs up your shoulder for a ride, you're really lucky!

Training your pet rat

Once both you and your rat are comfortable with handling, you can train him to get onto your hand voluntarily. Your pet may climb onto your hand on his own - but if he doesn't, you can easily show him how. Using food as a lure, lead him onto your hand. He may start out by just putting his feet on your hand (he'll need some leverage to grab that treat, after all!), but with patience and persistence on your part, he'll gradually work up to sitting completely on your hand. This way, he'll be able to let you know when he wants to come out to play. Remember that all rats need at least an hour of supervised exercise out of the cage everyday, but these play sessions should commence only when you've hand-tamed your rat.

In return for your rat's cooperation during handling, you must ensure that he is never picked up by someone who hasn't mastered the proper technique. A rat should not be picked up by the tail, for example, as this can cause the skin at the tip to break off.