How do I train my rats to return to their cage after playtime?

The biggest thing you can do is spend time with them. Rats are very smart and they enjoy time with their humans. They can be trained to do many tricks. They like to climb. Offer them a variety of play things (from tubes, to a sand box to a climbing area) and switch things from time to time. Here is also a link which may help: https://www.petcoach.co/article/toys-and-other-environmental-enrichment-for-rats-and-mice/ Please feel free to post any additional questions.

First, you should have her examined by your veterinarian to rule out illness or injury. Second, feed a healthy diet of a block or pelleted diet for rodents supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables. Provide plenty of chewing toys to keep her teeth trim. Once all this has been done, you can use positive reinforcement (treats and praise) to get her to answer to her name or perform tricks. It will take patience and consistency. http://ratguide.com/care/behavior/training_playtime.php

Try encouraging your guinea pigs to play with interactive toys, give them things to chew on, and offer them treats, like baby carrots, when they are out of their cage. This will help them associate being out of the cage with something positive. You may also want to try taking them to a different room from the one the cage is in. This may make them more curious and more likely to want to explore instead of them wanting to go back in the cage. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Boop by Petco. Best of luck.

Positive reinforcement is the key. Give her a treat when she comes to you and at the same time call her name. Try to do it for 10-15minutes a day. Then gradually you can try not to give her the treat anymore. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.

I would just recommend continuing to work the rats as your are. Giving them special treats every time you interact with them and interacting with them on a regular basis will help them become more used to you. It may take up to 3 months for them to become completely comfortable with you. Don’t worry, you are doing everything right, this just takes time. Rats are usually very interactive and affectionate pets. You will get there soon!

Thanks for reaching out about Cream. Sounds as if she is cage protective. Spaying her might calm her down. Continue to work with her, allow her to come out of the cage on her own and then handling. Hopefully this will allow her to acclimate to your presence. Good luck.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Frankie. What a tough little girl! She has been through a lot. I would start by always moving very slowly around her. Offer treats to help build her trust. Be sure to keep the dog away from her cage. Speak slowly and softly to her. Do not handle her until she seems more confident with you. I hope this information helps!

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 piec

A few things you can try are using a smaller dish for your rat and make sure to wash it weekly, daily if need be. One just big enough to hold one feeding block is plenty. And feed fortified food. These foods can be found in either “block” or “seed” type forms, and a mixture of both is recommended. If you’re trying to help your rat lose weight, feed it no more than 3 tablespoons per day. Rat blocks contain a complete supply of vitamins and minerals. And avoid the generic “rodent formula” foods available at pet stores, as these often don’t provide an adequate amount of protein for your rat. Limit treats. One tablespoon of chopped fruit or vegetable is the best treat for your rat. Including apples, strawberries, bananas, and squash as treats rather than regular part of your rat’s diet will help support its weight loss. Feed treats in a separate dish from your rat's regular food and make sure to clean the treat bowl daily. Feed her at night, when she is most active, and if you notice her s

Thanks for reaching out about Cookie and including photos. Placing in a small cage would help prevent complications. Rear limb paresis (weakness) is not uncommon in aging rats. Providing soft substrate such as old towels/T-shirts works well. Allowing time out for exercise is still important. Anti-inflammatory medications could prevent progression of paresis, but a veterinary visit is needed to prescribe. Good luck.