Two Not of a Kind
There are a lot of questions that I get asked quite frequently by adopters, but the one that I have the hardest time answering is, "What personality does (rat ID#) have?" There are a lot of reasons that this is a difficult question:
Though I cannot answer for certain exactly what your rat will be like after you take it home, I can be certain of one thing - If you adopt two, one will be adventurous and one will be shy. I have heard it over and over from adopters, some variation of this: "Pete is really outgoing and loves to play, but Jeb is really shy and doesn't like to come out of the cage much." Hundreds of times in a short span, repeated over and over and from adopters across the country who have asked me questions on how to bond with rats that seem skittish or nervous. Many of the out of state adopters want to lay blame on a breeder or the fact that the rat was a rescue from a feeder bin - maybe it is just bad genetics that makes one a spazz and the other frightened of people. In reality, it is a social dynamic that is perhaps not being given enough attention in the rat world, and thus, setting some rats up to fail in their new homes.
- Babies don't really have personalities beyond being bouncing bundles of energy, followed by exhausted piles of fluff. They generally eat, play, sleep in a never-ending cycle. Asking what they will be like as an adult is a bit like asking what a 2 year old child will be like as an adult. Though the basics indicators for personality type might be there, there is still so much that can influence them before they reach maturity.
- Social structure plays a role in how your rat interacts with the world around them. Going from our rattery with perhaps as many as a dozen playmates to your home with possibly only one other rat will have a significant affect on how that rat develops. Even rats that are retired from our rattery at 6m-1y old can have significant changes in behavior due to the change in family group size or simply being around a new group of rats. Even adding a new rat or the passing of a rat can change the dynamic of your rats due to shifting social roles.
- Human interaction is another key factor to what your rat will ultimately be like. Overall, when I follow up with adopters, I have found that the persons who interact more with their rats in the first 2-3 months of receiving their new Squeakin' Pups report a higher satisfaction with their relationship with them later at around 9m-1y. The more time spent with your rats means you will have a greater impact on molding their personality and building their daily routines or likes/dislikes. In all reality you are building a friendship with your rats, and if that friendship is neglected, you won't really "know" your rats at all.
Though I cannot answer for certain exactly what your rat will be like after you take it home, I can be certain of one thing - If you adopt two, one will be adventurous and one will be shy. I have heard it over and over from adopters, some variation of this: "Pete is really outgoing and loves to play, but Jeb is really shy and doesn't like to come out of the cage much." Hundreds of times in a short span, repeated over and over and from adopters across the country who have asked me questions on how to bond with rats that seem skittish or nervous. Many of the out of state adopters want to lay blame on a breeder or the fact that the rat was a rescue from a feeder bin - maybe it is just bad genetics that makes one a spazz and the other frightened of people. In reality, it is a social dynamic that is perhaps not being given enough attention in the rat world, and thus, setting some rats up to fail in their new homes.
What Drives the Difference
In the wild, rats live in very large social groups that have very intricate layers of social responsibility, ranking of authority or dominance, friendships and even cliques. The loss of a single individual can throw an entire mischief into chaos and send the remaining rats scurrying to find their new place in the world. Yet how does this translate when you adopt only two rats? Does that need for social responsibility, status, and camaRATerie just go away? Of course not!
When babies, or retirees, are taken from the rattery, where they have a large social group, and place in a home as a pair, they need to fulfill certain basic roles. The two roles that are the most imperative are that of the guardian of the nest and the forager. In the wild the guardian would stay in the nest to protect the food stores, babies, and other rats. In captivity, this translates to a rat that seems reluctant to leave the cage and possibly afraid or defensive towards anyone putting their hands in the cage. Conversely, the forager in the wild would venture out into the world to find food, nesting materials, or to scout out new territories to expand into. In a pet home, this would mean the rat seems very personable because they want to come out of the cage more readily than their compatriot. These rats are often thought to be much more "friendly" than the shy ones.
When babies, or retirees, are taken from the rattery, where they have a large social group, and place in a home as a pair, they need to fulfill certain basic roles. The two roles that are the most imperative are that of the guardian of the nest and the forager. In the wild the guardian would stay in the nest to protect the food stores, babies, and other rats. In captivity, this translates to a rat that seems reluctant to leave the cage and possibly afraid or defensive towards anyone putting their hands in the cage. Conversely, the forager in the wild would venture out into the world to find food, nesting materials, or to scout out new territories to expand into. In a pet home, this would mean the rat seems very personable because they want to come out of the cage more readily than their compatriot. These rats are often thought to be much more "friendly" than the shy ones.
Antisocial or Pillar of Society
Let's talk about our "shy guy" for a bit. Though it may seem that this rat is antisocial and reclusive, in reality this rat is generally the one that brings stability to the world for the rest of the rats. If the guardian dies, the entire remaining group is deeply affected. If you happen to have a large group of rats, this will lead to some rats fighting and others may fall into a depression. The entire group will feel the stress and anxiety of being without their source of strength and safety. Restoring the balance is critical. This is one of the reasons my recommendation is for 3 or more rats, if you plan to own rats for the long term. Having two runs the risk of one falling into a deep depression, which may have long term health effects, even if a companion is found in short order. Interdependence is much stronger when a rat has grown used to only one rat companion. Rats with multiple companions are much more resilient and sociable with their humans than those with only one friend.
At first glance these rats tend to give off a vibe of not liking their new human caregivers, however these introverts are simply driven by instinct to stick close to what matters most - their "home base." They will also defend it when necessary. If you want to really bond with these rats, you need to invest a lot of time in them. The time is likely not going to be much work, however. They respond well to being held in a sheltered place away from their cage. This sheltered place can be a snuggle sack, blanket, hoodie, or just your arms/hands held in a sheltering way. The key is to be at least 5 feet from the cage during bonding time and to make the rat feel very safe by not imposing your will or idea of fun on them, but simply letting them tell you how much they can handle. I often simply wear these rats around the house as I go about my daily tasks. Some prefer a shoulder and others a pocket, but the goal is the same - to share my daily life with them as much as possible.
As you spend more time and your rat learns that you are a safe place away from home (the cage), they will turn into a little moon that orbits you. You will find that they begin to venture away from the sheltered area you provided and will explore just like the forager does, however, they will act like a little moon kept in orbit around you, never straying too far. These rats become bonded to their humans usually much more than the foraging counterpart, which we'll get into why in the next section.
The worst thing you can do for a shy guardian type rat is to let it remain in its cage too much, especially when you first bring it home. It is very important to bond with it away from the cage and forge a bond between you and the rat that is stronger than that between the rat and the cage. Only then will you be able to have a really flourishing relationship. Shy rats who are left in the cage too much, or interacted with too little will become less inclined to leave the cage over time. They can develop bad habits like biting hands that come into the cage or near it, squealing or squeaking when anyone attempts to pick them up, fighting with other rats, self-mutilation in the form of barbering or other over-grooming habits, and cage destructive habits like bar chewing. Spend time with both of your rats right away and in the greatest quantity that you can.
Like most introverts, these little guys (and gals) take more time to get to know, but once you win their trust, they blossom into the most amazing and loyal friends of all!
At first glance these rats tend to give off a vibe of not liking their new human caregivers, however these introverts are simply driven by instinct to stick close to what matters most - their "home base." They will also defend it when necessary. If you want to really bond with these rats, you need to invest a lot of time in them. The time is likely not going to be much work, however. They respond well to being held in a sheltered place away from their cage. This sheltered place can be a snuggle sack, blanket, hoodie, or just your arms/hands held in a sheltering way. The key is to be at least 5 feet from the cage during bonding time and to make the rat feel very safe by not imposing your will or idea of fun on them, but simply letting them tell you how much they can handle. I often simply wear these rats around the house as I go about my daily tasks. Some prefer a shoulder and others a pocket, but the goal is the same - to share my daily life with them as much as possible.
As you spend more time and your rat learns that you are a safe place away from home (the cage), they will turn into a little moon that orbits you. You will find that they begin to venture away from the sheltered area you provided and will explore just like the forager does, however, they will act like a little moon kept in orbit around you, never straying too far. These rats become bonded to their humans usually much more than the foraging counterpart, which we'll get into why in the next section.
The worst thing you can do for a shy guardian type rat is to let it remain in its cage too much, especially when you first bring it home. It is very important to bond with it away from the cage and forge a bond between you and the rat that is stronger than that between the rat and the cage. Only then will you be able to have a really flourishing relationship. Shy rats who are left in the cage too much, or interacted with too little will become less inclined to leave the cage over time. They can develop bad habits like biting hands that come into the cage or near it, squealing or squeaking when anyone attempts to pick them up, fighting with other rats, self-mutilation in the form of barbering or other over-grooming habits, and cage destructive habits like bar chewing. Spend time with both of your rats right away and in the greatest quantity that you can.
Like most introverts, these little guys (and gals) take more time to get to know, but once you win their trust, they blossom into the most amazing and loyal friends of all!
The Fair-Weather Friend
Since the shy guy is an introvert, you may think that the forager is an extrovert, but that is not the case. Foragers can be some of the toughest rats out there for owning, believe it or not. I usually get glowing reviews about our little forager types in the early weeks and months of anyone owning a pair of rats, however, most adopters will quickly find that these outgoing rats really have their own agenda, and it doesn't always include them! What seemed like the beginnings of a beautiful friendship at first will prove to be nothing more than your rat's instinct to come out and away from the cage, and you, to find vital supplies for their nest. They are a true fair-weather friend, finding you when you have treats, and abandoning you when they run out. Adopters who invest more time in trying to snuggle these high energy rats instead of their shy ones, will end up with a recluse and a rat that gets into lots of mischief.
The loss of a forager rat, can send their companion into a deep depression. The loss of a guardian rat is like the loss of peace and harmony in a group. Strife is often the result - rats bickering for a new place in the chain of command, a lack of certainty over the future or feelings of fear, and, in a two rat group, the forager rejecting newcomers and seeming to turn rat aggressive. The loss of a forager has a much more serious, yet subtle, affect on the guardian. Forager rats may be a bit hyperactive at times and seem to even harass their cagemates with exuberance, but they are also very doting on their companions. They tend to be the ones to initiate grooming, snuggling, and other comforting and loving gestures of care. If the forager passes, the loss to the guardian is not that of safety and social stability, but that of love and emotional support. Guardian rats are far more likely to suffer a hit to the heart and spiral into depression that leads to weight loss, illness, or even death, than a forager rat who loses its guardian. Having a strong bond with their human is the best buffer against this.
Foragers need something to do, that is why they have the more active role in their mini rat society. The key to bonding with these rats is to play with them in an active way. They won't want to sit and snuggle close, and they definitely don't think you have a gravitational pull of your very own to keep them in check. They are as likely to climb the drapes as eat them, so you will want to supervise them quite closely. I recommend having a safe zone for these rats as you build a repertoire of games or interactive activities to keep them interested in you. Playing with toys, teaching tricks, dig boxes, offering fun nesting materials they can run back to their cage from a distance, and puzzle boxes are all great ways to keep them interested. As your little forager gets used to playing with you, they will become less likely to seek entertainment elsewhere and explore looking for trouble... I mean entertainment. Soon they will be seeking you out to discover what great fun you have to offer that day.
The most important thing to remember with foragers is that they are more active than the shy guys. The more you try to repress that energy, the more likely they will pull away from you emotionally. To bond, you have to be willing to interact as they need to be interacted with. This doesn't mean that they won't eventually need/want cuddles, it just means that is not their primary joy in life. Just as the shy rats eventually bond enough to venture out for play time, the foragers will grow comfortable enough to snooze with you as well. The key is an investment of time, energy, and patience as your relationship forms. Then you will see that this fair-weather friend can be a true friend indeed.
The loss of a forager rat, can send their companion into a deep depression. The loss of a guardian rat is like the loss of peace and harmony in a group. Strife is often the result - rats bickering for a new place in the chain of command, a lack of certainty over the future or feelings of fear, and, in a two rat group, the forager rejecting newcomers and seeming to turn rat aggressive. The loss of a forager has a much more serious, yet subtle, affect on the guardian. Forager rats may be a bit hyperactive at times and seem to even harass their cagemates with exuberance, but they are also very doting on their companions. They tend to be the ones to initiate grooming, snuggling, and other comforting and loving gestures of care. If the forager passes, the loss to the guardian is not that of safety and social stability, but that of love and emotional support. Guardian rats are far more likely to suffer a hit to the heart and spiral into depression that leads to weight loss, illness, or even death, than a forager rat who loses its guardian. Having a strong bond with their human is the best buffer against this.
Foragers need something to do, that is why they have the more active role in their mini rat society. The key to bonding with these rats is to play with them in an active way. They won't want to sit and snuggle close, and they definitely don't think you have a gravitational pull of your very own to keep them in check. They are as likely to climb the drapes as eat them, so you will want to supervise them quite closely. I recommend having a safe zone for these rats as you build a repertoire of games or interactive activities to keep them interested in you. Playing with toys, teaching tricks, dig boxes, offering fun nesting materials they can run back to their cage from a distance, and puzzle boxes are all great ways to keep them interested. As your little forager gets used to playing with you, they will become less likely to seek entertainment elsewhere and explore looking for trouble... I mean entertainment. Soon they will be seeking you out to discover what great fun you have to offer that day.
The most important thing to remember with foragers is that they are more active than the shy guys. The more you try to repress that energy, the more likely they will pull away from you emotionally. To bond, you have to be willing to interact as they need to be interacted with. This doesn't mean that they won't eventually need/want cuddles, it just means that is not their primary joy in life. Just as the shy rats eventually bond enough to venture out for play time, the foragers will grow comfortable enough to snooze with you as well. The key is an investment of time, energy, and patience as your relationship forms. Then you will see that this fair-weather friend can be a true friend indeed.
Getting Off on the Right Foot
As I mentioned before, the key to success with both of your rats is to spend as much time as you can with them in the first 2-3 months that you have them in your care. Select a time to get your rats when you aren't planning a vacation, moving homes, getting married, having a baby, or changing schools or jobs for at least 6 months. Life can always throw curve-balls at you, but if something is for sure planned that will take up a lot of your time, it is best to wait for getting those new fur babies.
Be sure to interact with each rat in the way they enjoy interacting best. At first, you should spend time somewhere like a bathroom or with them in just a bathtub with a towel laid in it. This will let you observe their behavior without risk of them running under a couch or getting lost anywhere. There are lots of ways to set up a rat safe area in any room as well. Allow the rats to investigate their surroundings freely and give them love. They may seem uncertain at first, but you have to remember, they just got themselves displaced from a happy home with many playmates and familiar surroundings. Now they have been thrust into an unfamiliar environment that may have any number of dangers or hazards. Each rat will acclimate in their own way.
It will be easy to tell the outgoing one - it will be the one that goes around investigating everything. Your shy guy will likely crawl under the other rat or seek shelter somewhere else. If you see your shy one right off, begin giving it shelter and comfort right away. Hold them in your hands with one hand supporting all four feet and the other as a sheltering barrier on the outside and your stomach or chest as a sheltering barrier on the other. This will help them to feel they have a hideaway with you. As you repeat your interactions, you'll notice the shy one will seek you out for comfort and hide under a leg or try to crawl into a shirt or jacket. When you notice the more adventurous one, you should give it love and attention with petting, scratching, and possibly offering a treat or toy to see how it does. As you continue to interact over time, you will notice this rat will begin taking the offered treats or playing with the toys. They are also very likely to climb you like a mountain if you sit on the floor, but will also be interested in escape or destruction - so keep a close watch!
Be sure to spend at least 3 hours a day with them both each day. There is no need to spend it separately, as each rat has a different need. It is quite easy to have one in a snuggle sack while you play with the other. The more time you give them, the better and the faster your relationship will progress.
Be sure to interact with each rat in the way they enjoy interacting best. At first, you should spend time somewhere like a bathroom or with them in just a bathtub with a towel laid in it. This will let you observe their behavior without risk of them running under a couch or getting lost anywhere. There are lots of ways to set up a rat safe area in any room as well. Allow the rats to investigate their surroundings freely and give them love. They may seem uncertain at first, but you have to remember, they just got themselves displaced from a happy home with many playmates and familiar surroundings. Now they have been thrust into an unfamiliar environment that may have any number of dangers or hazards. Each rat will acclimate in their own way.
It will be easy to tell the outgoing one - it will be the one that goes around investigating everything. Your shy guy will likely crawl under the other rat or seek shelter somewhere else. If you see your shy one right off, begin giving it shelter and comfort right away. Hold them in your hands with one hand supporting all four feet and the other as a sheltering barrier on the outside and your stomach or chest as a sheltering barrier on the other. This will help them to feel they have a hideaway with you. As you repeat your interactions, you'll notice the shy one will seek you out for comfort and hide under a leg or try to crawl into a shirt or jacket. When you notice the more adventurous one, you should give it love and attention with petting, scratching, and possibly offering a treat or toy to see how it does. As you continue to interact over time, you will notice this rat will begin taking the offered treats or playing with the toys. They are also very likely to climb you like a mountain if you sit on the floor, but will also be interested in escape or destruction - so keep a close watch!
Be sure to spend at least 3 hours a day with them both each day. There is no need to spend it separately, as each rat has a different need. It is quite easy to have one in a snuggle sack while you play with the other. The more time you give them, the better and the faster your relationship will progress.
Last Updated: 4/24/2021 (c) 2021 Squeakin' Pups All rights reserved. Do not copy, share, or distribute without written permission.