My new baby rat is scared and hiding. How can I make her feel safe?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Other | Unknown - Other | Female | unspayed
Hi! I recently purchased 2 rats from a woman who had an unexpected litter. They are a bit over 4 weeks old at least, and one has been adjusting well to their new environment. The other, however, has randomly bolted out of her hiding spot and erratically ran around the cage until she just froze, then after a minute or two scurried back into her hiding spot. I’m so worried and don’t want her to get sick or something because she’s been so scared. What can I do?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on September 21st, 2017
The best thing is to just provide a safe and quiet environment for them until the get more used to their new surroundings. With time, she will become more comfortable. Make sure to also provide a nutritious diet and fresh water to keep her immune system healthy.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 27th, 2018
Thank you for your question, and congratulations on your new pets! It is very common for new rats to be shy in an unfamiliar environment, and I am sorry that you are going to have the added challenge of one of them having babies! Things you can do to make them more comfortable are providing lots of places to hide, and bedding/nesting material for Doodle. Bedding should not be made of pine or cedar wood shavings, as these have aromatic oils in them that can irritate the lungs and airways of rats. More ideal choices would include aspen shavings, recycled paper pulp bedding, towels, newspaper, or shredded paper. They should be kept in a more quiet area of the house if possible, as they can be sensitive to noise. You can also try to do some hand feeding of treat items to help them associate you with positive/good things. Examples of healthy treats include green beans, carrot pieces, broccolli, cucumber, tomato, blueberries, raspberries, and bell peppers. These should be cut into small pieces so that they don't get full too quickly. These positive interactions may help them to trust you more. This may help you to be able to have more interaction with the pups without stressing Doodle out as well. I hope that gives you a place to start, and good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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