Make friends with a pet decorative rat. We quickly and easily tame a small rodent

Decorative rats were bred from ordinary gray rats through repeated crossing and careful selection. Today, these rodents are viable only in domestic conditions, but domestication is still an important stage in the owner-pet relationship.

Let's find out what rules you need to follow when in contact with a rodent in order to quickly accustom it to your hands.

Conditions of detention

In order for the rat to get used to your hands as quickly as possible, it is necessary to organize comfortable living conditions for it. Only after feeling completely safe can the animal begin to establish relationships with its new owner. The main rule is that there must be enough space in the cage.

Mandatory interior elements include:

• plastic tray with specialized filler;
• cozy house;
• equipment for exercises: wheel, ladder, labyrinths;
• bowl and drinking bowl;
• special sharpener for teeth;
• equipped place to sleep.

The cage needs to be cleaned when it gets dirty. The animal's dishes must be thoroughly washed daily. Once a month, general cleaning is carried out using disinfectants. It is also necessary to ensure that the rat is always fed and there is clean water in the drinking bowl.

Separately, you will need to take care of the microclimate. The room in which the rat is kept must be protected from cold air and drafts. The optimal air temperature for rodents is +18-21°C. Also, rats do not like the sun, so it is better to choose a room on the shady side to keep the animal.

How fast is the taming process?

Rats have bright individual character traits. For one, 2 weeks are enough, for the other, 2 months. Time, patience, consistency - these are the 3 pillars of success in taming a pet rat and teaching it to be calm about your hands.

There are individuals who do not like to sit on arms and be subjected to the torture of squeezing. There are those who are ready to accept stroking and scratching for hours.

Each individual has its own character, temperament and preferences - this also needs to be taken into account.

To tame an animal with your hands, you need the rat to understand that your hands do not pose a danger - they can be trusted, and you could perform some manipulations, both with the animal itself and with its cage.

Hand training is the key to your own “safety”, first of all!

Features and rules of taming

Contrary to popular belief, the rat is a social animal that is capable of building trusting relationships with humans. To quickly find a common language with your pet, you will need to take into account several features of establishing contact:

1. It is necessary to accustom the animal to handling gradually, even if it takes a lot of time.
2. After moving your pet to a new place, you need to put the cage in a secluded place for 2-3 days and leave the rat alone.
3. You should not be afraid of touching a rat - it will immediately feel it. And then closer acquaintance will have to be postponed.
4. The younger the rat, the easier it is to tame it. If the pups have been living with a breeder since birth, you can gradually pick them up from the moment the babies open their eyes. An adult, on the contrary, avoids humans. At first, the animal may even scream or bite when you try to simply stroke its fur.

Also, to avoid problems with taming, it is better to buy rats in specialized stores. There, animals are taught to be handled from birth. Therefore, there are usually no problems when communicating with the new owner.

How long does the addiction process take?

The process of habituation is individual for each animal. Some will be able to tame an animal in a few days, while others will be able to tame it in a month or more. It all depends on the nature of the animal and some other factors. But don’t expect him to climb into your arms or follow you around overnight.

Did you know? Three days

-
a record recorded time during which a rat covered a water distance of 29 km.
Factors influencing the time it takes for a rat to get used to hands:

1. The younger the pet is, the faster it gets used to it. But don’t despair, even an adult rat can be trained to another owner.
2. The breeder's attitude towards the pups. If he exercises every day and pays attention to them, then they gradually become tamed to his hands. Such animals are very curious and are not afraid to even climb into your arms. Otherwise, the kids will be half-wild, or even wild.
3. But we should not forget about the personal qualities of a particular baby. Rats, like people, vary in character and temperament. Some are arrogant, harmful, others are loving, affectionate, and friendly.

In the first stages of taming, do not be afraid to bore your pet. By constantly paying attention to your little rat, you can get a friend who is very attached to his owner. Therefore, take your baby in your arms more often, wear it under outerwear, even if he shows his dissatisfaction. Of course, do this within reason. If he resists strongly, then it is better to leave him alone today.

Did you know? Rat teeth grow throughout the animal's life, so rodents are not afraid to grind them down.

To pick up an unfamiliar rat, hold it from above, hugging its body with your hand; the other hand can support its hind legs and tummy. When you cover the animal with your palm and apply slight pressure, the little rat quickly calms down and does not offer resistance. The more often you play and are with your pet, the faster the addiction process goes.

Taming stages

It is necessary to tame a rat in stages to protect the animal from stress. There are several main steps in taming this rodent:

• Adaptation.
• Communicate with the owner at a distance.
• Direct hand training.

In the process of getting an animal accustomed to its owner, consistency is important. This way, the animal will quickly develop trust and affection for the person, and a desire to spend as much time with him as possible.

It is also worth noting that the rat should not be rushed - let the pet get used to the hands as long as necessary.

Adaptation

For a rat, finding itself in new living conditions is a real stress. The animal is frightened by unexpected changes, becomes withdrawn, and shows aggression. To help the animal adapt, you need to follow a few simple steps:

• 1-2 days after purchase, you need to move the cage with the rat to a busier area of ​​the house. The room should not be too noisy, but there should still be occasional human presence. This way the rat will gradually get used to the smell of its owner.
• In the room where the rat lives, it is recommended to periodically talk on the phone. This way the pet will gradually get used to the owner’s voice. Negotiations will need to be conducted in a calm tone, without raising your voice, much less shouting.
• The first touches to the fluffy are allowed only after he calms down, becomes more active, and shows curiosity.

Many novice rat breeders are impatient to make friends with their pet, and they begin to force things. This can lead to a complete collapse of the relationship in the future. If you pick up a rat and miss the adaptation period, it will never trust its owner.

Communication

The next step is to establish communication with your pet. In the first days after moving, just talking with the animal will be enough. It is worth keeping in mind that the rat is good at reading a person’s mood on an intuitive level. Therefore, it is better not to approach the animal when irritated or upset.

The voice during a conversation should be calm, without pronounced emotions. When the rat gets used to it a little, you can try to establish tactile contact. To do this, perform the following steps step by step:

1. Systematically throughout the day, offer your rat treats through the cage. You shouldn’t expect your fluffy to immediately rush to accept treats from your hands. At the initial stage of communication this is not necessary. It is enough just to establish visual contact so that the pet remembers who exactly is offering him a treat. This is why only one person should feed the rat in the first month of its life at home. Later you can connect other family members.
2. Next, you need to observe which of the offered dishes the rat likes most. After 5-6 days, you will need to give your pet his favorite treat only from your hands, so that he understands that his favorite treat can only be obtained from the owner. This stage serves as the beginning of building trusting relationships.
3. Every time you open the cage, you need to pamper the rat with treats. This will allow the animal to develop an unconditioned reflex. After a few days, the pet will be looking forward to the arrival of a person to have a tasty snack.
4. Periodically, you need to allow the rat to sniff your hands to remember the smell of the person. In this case, food should be absent so that the animal realizes that it will not be fed every time it enters the cage.
5. After the pet gets used to the owner a little, you can begin the period of stroking. The rat will not immediately like tactile contact; at first it will run away or dodge. Therefore, it is better to divide this step into several stages. First, perform short single strokes. After 6-7 days, pet the fluffy several times at a time, and at the end you can offer a treat. Then the strokes become longer. If the rat is frightened by the owner’s insistence, you can retreat for a while and return to single strokes.
6. Sometimes a rat mistakes its owner's hands for part of the treat. In such situations, bites are inevitable. If the pet decides to try a finger or palm on the tooth, the owner needs to emit a characteristic sound signal - a squeal or scream, but not loudly. These actions will help the rat understand that its actions are unacceptable.

You will also need to approach the cage during the day just to talk to the pet, to let it feel that the owner is nearby. If a nickname for the rat has already been chosen, you must call the rat and repeat the name several times in a gentle tone. This is the only way a rat will feel affection for a person.

If a rat does not make contact for a long time or even shows aggression, under no circumstances should you hit it. Punishment will make the animal withdrawn and it will never trust the person.

Hand Taming

After the rat has become a little accustomed and accustomed to its owner, you can gradually accustom it directly to your hands. This process will take a little time. However, when certain actions are performed consistently, the ice will be broken and the fluffy will consider the owner to be his best friend.

To make the taming process easy and relaxed, you need to adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Train your pet to come to the exit of the cage every time the owner offers a treat. To do this, you can squeeze several nuts (or pieces of fruit) into your palm and open it first inside the house. As soon as the rat eats one nut, the hand must be moved closer to the exit. And so on - until the animal has to completely leave the cage for a treat.
2. To make the process go faster, you need to use any sound when approaching the cage. For example, you can lightly knock on the door or call your pet by name. The main thing is that the sound signal always remains unchanged.
3. One day the rat will want to leave its home for a while to explore its surroundings. You should not restrain her impulses and chase her around the room to return her to the cage. Let the animal look around a little and sniff. Gradually, it will crawl from the interior items onto the owner. This is a very important moment - you need to let the rat run around on itself - on your arms, legs, perhaps the fluffy will get into your collar. Such close contact is a good signal. At the same time, you cannot scare away the rat - you just need to stand still and wait for the animal to move away on its own.
4. If the rat wants to return to the cage, do not prevent it. She should feel protected and know that she can always return to her cozy corner.
5. To pick up a pet for the first time, you need to lure it into a corner or other secluded place in a relaxed manner. When the pet finds itself in a confined space, you need to carefully pick it up in your hand and immediately feed it. The first contact should last no more than 1-2 minutes. Just don't lift the rat by the tail, as this can cause pain and injury. Also, you should not forcefully pick up an animal when it makes a frightened squeal. Let the animal calm down a little.
6. Taming must be systematic. The rat must be lured out of the cage and then handled daily. Even if it’s difficult to do at first. Each time, the time spent in the owner’s hands must be increased, gradually bringing it to 20-25 minutes.
7. When a rat sits in your arms, you should not limit its movements. Let it move freely throughout the body, as well as over the owner’s clothes. Rodents love to climb into sleeves or sit in your bosom.
8. Friendship with a rat needs to be constantly reinforced. To do this, it is not necessary to hold her in your arms all the time. You can simply spend more time together, take her with you to other rooms or for a walk. But nothing should scare the animal, otherwise it will run away.

Often, when a rat gets tired of sitting in the owner’s arms, it begins to break free. At times like these, you can't let her go. Otherwise, the pet will understand that the owner can be manipulated. It is better to wait 1-2 minutes until the animal calms down, and only then release it into the wild.

How to tame a little rat

The animal should have a comfortable cage with a small house in the corner. The little rat can hide there while it gets used to its new home. When he first gets into the cage, it is advisable not to disturb the animal unnecessarily for 5-7 days. This will help him get used to the unfamiliar environment.

Rats make contact with humans much easier than adult rodents. In just a week, the pet can be in your arms.

You can understand what a rat likes and what it doesn’t only after regular observations of it - this is where the taming process begins. For some time, the little rat gets used to the appearance of the owner, the timbre of his voice, and the smell. You need to talk calmly - these animals understand intonation well and feel the emotional mood of a person.

2-3 days after acquisition, you can place your hand in the cage for a short time, let the baby sniff your palm and get used to it. Under no circumstances should you try to catch the baby while he is examining his hand.

It is not recommended to give your baby rat treats through the bars; he may start biting. It is better to open the door and offer him food in a bowl. This way he will get used to associating the appearance of food with the appearance of the owner. If you call the animal by name, it will easily remember it.

At first, the little rat will take pieces of treats into the house. Some time later, you need to offer him liquid food (sour cream, yogurt, kefir). First, wet your fingers and then pour it into your palm (little by little).

To get to the treat, the animal will have to climb onto your hand. He will quickly get used to the association “palm - tasty food.” Each time you need to bring your hand a little closer to yourself.

The first tactile contact of a small pet with its owner is very important. The little rat is taken by the body, while the stomach and hind limbs are supported with the other hand. Covering with your palm and lightly pressing helps to calm the baby, he quickly calms down.

It is useful from time to time to let the little rat out for a walk on the bedspread, on which the owner's worn things are placed. This is how he remembers its smell. If you put the animal in your bosom or pocket, it will feel protected. This will help consolidate the result of successful communication and taming.

Important! Don’t forget to treat the animal with something tasty, because food motivation is the most powerful factor in any training.

The time it takes for a baby rat to get used to your hands depends on the following factors:

1. Heredity. If the baby's parents are domesticated, the animal is faster and easier to train and gets used to its owner in a few days.
2. The quality of the breeder's work. If the owner of the pups worked with them before selling them, the animals quickly make contact and get used to the new environment more easily.
3. Individual qualities of a decorative rat. There are animals that are ready to love a person and obey him. It is not difficult to understand that a little rat loves you: the animal behaves calmly, clicks cheerfully, and sometimes tries to touch your hand or clothes. But there are little rats with the exact opposite character.
4. The amount of time devoted to the pet. Regular games, activities with a small rat, and tactile contacts help speed up the onset of the moment when the animal will fearlessly walk in your arms or sit on your shoulder.

Teaching a little rat not to be afraid to be handled is not too difficult. Everything will work out if you show gentle persistence in education. An attentive owner takes into account all the factors that affect the duration and success of the process. But the main thing is still moderation and patience when taming.

Is it possible to tame a wild rat?

Many novice breeders are interested in whether it will be possible to tame a wild rat. In fact, this is not recommended. Wild animals are very shy and aggressive. If you try to pick them up, they can bite a person severely. The situation is complicated by the fact that wild rats are often carriers of various diseases.

If the breeder nevertheless decides to tame a wild rat, then this is quite possible. The sequence of actions is similar to establishing contact with ornamental animals. There is only one important nuance - to accustom a savage to your hands, it will take much more time and patience.

What is a decorative rat?

The Latin name of the ornamental animal is Rattus norvegicus forma domestica, which means “domesticated form of the gray rat.” That is, this is an ordinary pasyuk (Rattus norvegicus), which has gone from a basement ship thief to a domesticated pet.

Domestication is a long process of taming, keeping, selecting and breeding wild animals in artificial conditions created by man.

Such targeted selection led to many changes in the behavior and instincts of the animal, adapting it to living not just next to a person, but making it viable only at home.

Without human care, a decorative rat simply will not survive, because humans, in the process of domestication, deliberately deprived it of many of the survival mechanisms that the ordinary gray Pasyuk rat uses.

This includes not only changes in protective color, coat structure, ear shape and lifestyle (the average rat is active at dusk and at night), but also the absence of fear - neophobia, which in the wild quickly leads to a sad end.

But how can you explain to a tailed pet that you, his owner, want only the best for him?!

Tips for taming a rat

To make the taming process happen as quickly as possible, you should use useful tips from experienced breeders:

1. Rats are very clean and love water treatments, especially in the heat. To establish a trusting relationship, you can equip a bath for the baby. An ordinary plastic basin is usually used as a base. The container is filled with slightly warm water to a depth of 4-5 cm, and a wooden beam is placed in the center so that the pet can rest on it. After bathing, the rat's fur will need to be thoroughly dried with a towel, since domestic rodents are prone to colds.
2. To have a little fun and relax your pet, you can play with it - hide some treat (for example, nuts) in the cage and wait for the rat to find it. After a few days, you can release the animal from the cage and do the same thing, only within the room. Spending time together will help the pet get closer to its owner.
3. The rat is a social animal. Therefore, keeping a pet alone has a negative impact on its psyche. To make the animal feel comfortable, it is recommended to purchase company for it - 1-2 more rats. Another advantage of collective keeping is that animals will gradually begin to compete for the owner’s attention.
4. If your pet has an obstinate disposition and will not be handled in any way, it is recommended to use a clicker for taming. Its operation is based on giving an encouraging sound signal when performing the desired action. Click training is considered one of the most effective and humane ways to train animals.
5. After letting the rat walk around the room, you need to make sure that there are no dangerous objects in its path that could hurt it. You also need to make sure that she doesn’t eat anything. It is better to cover the area where the animal moves freely with a blanket so that the furniture and other interior elements are not soiled by the animal’s waste products.
6. During training, you cannot interrupt classes. For example, going on a business trip or planning a vacation. Otherwise, all efforts will go down the drain - the pet will quickly forget the owner, and after returning he will have to start all over again.
7. Sometimes in the process of taming a rat behaves ambiguously. Either she is calm, then she is playful, then she breaks out of her hands and rushes around the whole room. If we are talking about a small rat, then this is quite normal. He, like any other child, is just frolicking. If mood swings occur in an adult with an established character, it is better to show it to a veterinarian.

To tame a rat, you need to spend a lot of effort, time and energy. But the result is worth it. The tame animal will definitely thank its owner with devotion and affection. Moreover, over time, the relationship between man and animal will only grow stronger.

How to accustom a rat to you

The rat is a very intelligent animal, effortlessly oriented in space, with an unusually sensitive hearing and sense of smell, dexterous and cunning, playful and attentive, sociable and affectionate, easily trained, and also tenderly affectionate to the owner.

But in order for the rat-owner connection to be firmly established, the decorative rat needs to be tamed - accustomed to its smell and to its hands.

Experienced “rat breeders” advise, after purchasing a pet, to allow it to become thoroughly familiar with your smells.

The rat cannot perceive your appearance - it does not see your face as a whole, and in general its vision is far from perfect.

Taming a rat to the smell and “sight” of its owner is not a difficult task - this is the first stage of accustoming to hands.

What to do if the animal is afraid, bites and breaks out

By its nature, the decorative rat is completely non-aggressive. Although there are some exceptions. But, nevertheless, in many cases, bites are not a manifestation of anger, but a defensive reaction. Therefore, you need to understand the question of why the animal began to bite.

If the little rat had not bitten before, and then began to do so, then most likely your behavior or that of your family members has shaken his trust. Remember if you have pushed, pinched or stepped on an animal recently. Such actions, like physical punishment, can cause not only a desire to bite, but also fear. In addition, a tamed animal can escape from one’s hands, although there were no problems before. Physical pain for a pet is a threat to it, so this behavior is a defensive reaction of the rat.

But the desire to bite does not always mean aggression. In the natural environment, rats use it to communicate with each other. And you are now part of her family.

Bites can mean many things:

• interest - the animal gently nibbles with its teeth;
• thirst for affection - bites as if biting off the fur of a relative;
• showing superiority - trying to show with a bite who is in charge in the family;
• attracting attention - a sudden bite from an unexpectedly visiting pet;
• playful mood - bites, runs away and comes back;
• warning - a response to your actions, as an option it hurts him;
• fright - after a bite the pet runs, breathes heavily, wants to hide.

During puberty (at 5–7 months of life), males may begin to bite, hiss and snort. This is hormonal maturation, growing up and defending territory. Females mainly bite when they are pregnant or caring for pups.

Also find out how to teach a rat to go to the toilet in a litter tray.

To prevent your pet from becoming aggressive, you need to:

• provide the rat with peace during the adaptation period;
• do not insert food or fingers between the cage bars, only through the door;
• play with the animal every day;
• reduce the noise level around your pet;
• Do not hit the rat under any circumstances.

Any attempts to bite must be stopped. If a rat bites, drive it away from you. She will quickly understand that this cannot be done. If a rat bites you, you must squeeze out the blood from the wound to prevent inflammation, treat it with peroxide and an antiseptic. You can visit the hospital if you wish. The main thing is that the animal is vaccinated.

If the wound is severely inflamed, there is a headache or muscle pain and fever - this is a reason to seek help at the hospital. Manifestation of aggressiveness is a kind of rebuff to your behavior; correct it, and the animal will begin to trust you again.

First aid for a bite

There are several steps you can and should take:

1. If you are not a victim and are treating someone else's bite, follow universal precautions and use personal protective equipment, if available.
2. Stop the bleeding and wash the wound with warm water and soap. Clean the inside of the wound, making sure to rinse off all the soap otherwise it will cause irritation later.
3. Cover the wound with a clean, dry bandage. You can apply antibiotic ointment to the wound before covering it.
4. If the injury is on a finger, remove all rings from the injured finger before it swells.
5. You should have your rat checked by a veterinarian to determine if the animal has an infection.

The following signs may indicate an infection:

• redness;
• swelling;
• heat;
• pus.

After a rat bite, always consult a doctor. You may need a tetanus vaccine or you may need stitches.

Wounds on the face or hands are of particular concern due to the risk of scarring and should always be examined by a doctor.

Possible consequences of rat bites

Abrasions, puncture and lacerations, hematomas, bruises are possible consequences of an encounter with a rodent. However, with well-planned treatment and care for the injury, the risk of complications is minimal.

Wound festering is the most common of these. The affected area is opened and drained. This complication can be avoided if you properly care for the wound. In advanced cases, soft tissue may be deeply affected, requiring amputation.

What infections do rats spread?

Rats have long been considered carriers of diseases, including viral ones. Of these, the most dangerous are the following:

• Sodoku is a rat bite disease that is fatal in 10% of known cases. It can be avoided if treatment is started on time;
• tetanus - the risk of death after infection reaches 20–30%. Tetanus ranks third among the most dangerous diseases after rabies and plague. Even after recovery, dangerous consequences are possible in the form of heart paralysis, pneumonia, sepsis;
• Leptospirosis is transmitted not only through saliva. If you notice that the animal has chewed the bread, then it is better not to eat it. The disease is dangerous due to paralysis, myocarditis, renal failure, infectious-toxic shock;
• pseudotuberculosis - dangerous for the development of meningitis, polyarthritis, osteomyelitis, myocarditis.

The risk of contracting rabies is minimal, however, it is a rather dangerous disease that requires prompt treatment.

Can a person get sick after being bitten by a pet rat?

Despite the fact that the rodent spends its entire life completely isolated from the environment, it is capable of infecting a person through a bite. This is due to the fact that germs and bacteria from the environment can enter an open wound.

The first signs of infection:

• Severely visible inflammation of the wound. Accompanied by redness, pain and swelling.
• The occurrence of headache or muscle pain.
• Temperature increase.

Some bites can be fatal to humans, especially if not treated promptly. This mainly applies to wild brothers. Animals purchased in unknown places (bird market, hand-held, uncertified pet store, etc.) can also pose a danger to humans.

What you can get infected with:

1. Streptobacillosis - another name is Haverhill fever. The disease is dangerous because the lack of treatment in 10% of cases can lead to death. You can catch it not only from a bite, but also from kissing an animal, when cleaning a cage, or from getting a pet’s blood on a small human wound.
2. Hemorrhagic fever—infection occurs when animal excrement or urine enters the human body. It can also cause death due to kidney damage. The initial stage is characterized by high fever, headache, hemorrhages on the mucous membrane and skin.
3. Leptospirosis is transmitted by saliva, urine and feces, and the rat must also be previously infected. The bacteria of this disease affect the liver, kidneys, and intestines.
4. Paratyphoid and helminths - diseases from a series of worms are dangerous not only for humans, but also for rats, they are transmitted through poor hygiene and kissing a pet.
5. Tularemia is rare, but can occur in domestic rats; the disease is more common in wild animals and cattle. If ingested, it causes severe fever, loss of appetite, and may cause vomiting and nosebleeds. Hospitalization and treatment with antibiotics are required.

If any symptoms appear, especially inflammation of the bite and fever, you should immediately consult a doctor. You should not take any action on your own.

Antibiotics are prescribed only by the attending doctor after identifying the disease and prescribing a course of treatment. Timely treatment will help avoid negative consequences.

Particular attention should be paid to pregnant women when in contact with animals. It doesn't matter whether it's a rat, a dog, a cat or a cow.

Any animal walking in the yard or living in the apartment, one way or another, can affect the fetus of a pregnant woman.

First actions after a rat bite

If you are bitten by a rat, do not panic. By adhering to a clear algorithm of actions, you can avoid harmful consequences.

1. Rinse the wound under running water and then treat it with an antiseptic. Hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, Miramistin, iodine or brilliant green are suitable for this. Don't wait for the bleeding to stop. The bites are usually deep and bleed for a long time.
2. To avoid dirt getting into the wound and other mechanical damage, the affected area is bandaged.
3. Observe the wound, and if you have the slightest doubt, consult a doctor.

It would be a good idea to get a preventive vaccination against rabies and other diseases, which will be offered at the nearest emergency room. Saliva is a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses.

What to do after being bitten by a pet rat

Pets are not considered carriers of diseases. However, if there is a wound, it is necessary to provide first aid to the victim and treat it thoroughly.

Change the dressings regularly and continue to treat the wound until it heals. If your health worsens, then this is a reason to contact a medical facility.

What to do if rats bite children in kindergarten

If a child, coming from kindergarten, complains that he was bitten by a rat, then not only therapeutic measures should be taken. Such a violation of the Sanitary Rules and Norms is an administrative offense.

Are bites from decorative rats and animals in pet stores dangerous?

If you are bitten by a pet rat or injured in a pet store, do not panic. Pets rarely show aggression. Most likely, they will not even bite through the skin. However, if the wound still bleeds, then it must be treated to avoid suppuration.

Also, pets and pet store animals are rarely carriers of dangerous infectious diseases.

Features of rat behavior

Unlike their toothy relatives, rats bite both during defense and acting for other reasons, taking the initiative in aggression. Such attacks have a psychological impact on the victims; sensitive people, especially children, experience a state of shock and subsequent persistent nervous disorders.

Rats constantly grind their long teeth on brick and concrete. With sharp incisors, they easily bite through the skin, even through clothing. Several deep punctures of the skin and tissues oozing with blood are formed. Rats most often attack the upper and lower limbs of humans. Predators bite sleeping people on the neck, ears, wings of the nose, and upper body. The infection quickly enters the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body. But, even without infection, the animal causes serious injuries to the victim - soft tissue damage, lacerations, hematomas. There are known cases of rats biting off earlobes and damaging finger joints.

The omnivorous nature of rodents increases the severe consequences of their attacks. The microflora of saliva is saturated with harmful microorganisms, since the food of rats is rotten waste and carrion. A rat bite, the consequences of infection, at best, will manifest itself in inflammation of the injury site, at worst - intoxication of the entire body, which poses a threat to human life.

Accumulations of dangerous rodents form where they find food - near landfills, garbage containers, waste sites, sewer systems, abandoned sewers, in basements, cellars.

Predators perceive the appearance of a person nearby as a threat and may attack first, demonstrating their determination. The first to know what a rat bite looks like are those who try to take its prey. Animals are fearless in a state of aggression, open battle with the enemy. If a person waves his arms and threatens with a stick, then the animal becomes even more actively involved in the process of protecting its possessions.

Many people bitten by rats do not seek medical help, although this happens everywhere in unsafe areas in terms of sanitary standards. The threat from rodents comes not only for people without permanent residence, but also for any person who finds themselves at risk.

A special category of victims are owners of rats as pets. Feeding animals by hand often results in injury. Animals undergoing veterinary supervision are less dangerous, but they are also carriers of specific bacteria that can infect the victim with rat fever and other diseases. The bite of a domestic rat needs no less attention than a wild one.

Water rats show increased interest in garden plots located near water bodies. Root crops and grain crops are attractive due to their availability, so rodents make burrows in the crops. In attempts to deal with the pest, gardeners may get bitten by a water rat, which thus desperately defends itself.

Training rules

1. The main condition when working with rodents is to have enough patience.
2. Do not force your pet to work against its will. His interest in doing things eliminates many problems.
3. Before starting work, the animal should feel slightly hungry. The last feeding should be 10-12 hours before training.
4. The first lesson lasts 15-20 minutes. As the duration of study increases, fatigue sets in and the quality of preparation is reduced to zero. In the future, it is possible to increase the time to half an hour, with breaks for rest and the resumption of lessons after games. If there are several pets, then they take turns working with them.
5. You can move on to the next lesson only after mastering the previous one.
6. When performing the movement, do not touch the animal with your hands, only scratching when expressing gratitude.
7. Give lessons daily, starting first with repeating what you have learned.
8. You cannot talk to your pets when learning a number, only commands or sound signals.
9. When training rats, actions that cause pain are not allowed.

Affectionate treatment and food encouragement have the best effect on results. To do this, feed sunflower kernels, boiled meat, slices of bananas, baked apples, vegetables, and nuts. Preference is given to those food products that the pet loves. The main condition for this will be the size of the portion of gratitude. It should be small and not saturate the animal. To prevent the animal from getting bored, food is changed more often. Alternating training with games will enhance the quality of the process.

The gingerbread method is very useful in training

Rodents are more energetic in the afternoon, so it’s best to schedule studying at this time of day. The success of the activity depends on the location. If the place is familiar, then the animal feels safe. The exercise area should be wide and not hazardous to the health of the pet. Before starting the exercise, he is given time to master the space and become familiar with the props. The rat must be trained daily. During the lesson, she is taken out of the cage, taught and put back. As soon as the required element is completed correctly, training for a specific action is stopped. If permissible occupational norms are violated, the number of portions of reward increases. The animal gets fat, becomes inactive, and loses interest in the process.

You cannot postpone the lesson without consolidating the result. The rodent develops a reflex: complete the task, receive a reward. If the number is performed accurately, a command is pronounced and an award is immediately given. After practicing the skill, the feed is stopped and limited to only stroking.

The animal receives gratitude only during work. Undeserved receipt of tasty food violates the rules of training and reduces the results to zero. In addition to commands, signals in the form of a whistle or click are used. The signal is given at the moment of correct movement.

There are 3 points noted in the training technique:

1. Make the student make a movement.
2. At the same time give a signal, an order.
3. Reward with a treat.

Until the rat understands the task and does not enjoy it, the work causes it stress. Only patience, praise, encouragement and affectionate treatment will help to correctly form new skills and abilities. When playing games, safety measures are observed. You should not leave a baby rat alone with a child. The baby’s activities are unpredictable and, due to oversight, can cause harm to a living creature. Wires, as well as sharp, piercing, and cutting objects are not used as accessories. Sheets of paper from magazines or newspapers are not allowed. Printing ink is poisonous and will harm the student. Lessons are not taught on a surface high above the floor. There is a risk of falling from height and injury. Before the lesson begins, the little rat is tamed and taught to respond to its name. When an animal becomes attached to a person, it ceases to be afraid of him

Answers

Evil Fairy 6 (17408) 3 24 1148 6 years

Better than green paint, it is less aggressive to the skin of children.

Aksi 6 (12738) 2 7 177 6 years

Peroxide and only peroxide should be used to disinfect ANY wounds (applies not only to children). The pharmacy costs about 0.48 ls. You literally need to water the wound 2-3 times a day, do this for a couple of days and everything will heal.

Alessio 5 (3835) 1 25 78 6 years

When I was a child, I had a hamster that was so fluffy and had huge yellow teeth. My parents told me that if you put your finger in the cage it will bite, but I’m not a fool, I decided to check... my hamster pierced my finger, right through. it hurt, at first I cried, then I laughed for a long time :]]] they anointed my finger with iodine and everything healed. this is my story

Mruta_ 7 (21254) 7 79 213 6 years

If the rat didn’t live in garbage dumps, then it’s okay, just disinfect the wound. Home for me too. The rat even bit my finger once until it bled, it hurt, but nothing tragic happened)

hawketeer 6 (16339) 4 13 63 6 years

If the rat is vaccinated, then wash the wound and transport it.

asdf777 6 (8227) 2 2 18 6 years

Sorry, not a doctor, that's why. in general, I would definitely show the doctor and still use the antibiotic intramuscularly. Why? Yes, the rat is a domestic one, but what did it eat? How clean are her teeth? And this infection can enter the baby’s blood and cause sepsis. This is not harmless at all! Zelenka and iodine are only disinfected on the outside, a bandage is not needed at all, the band-aid is also nonsense. Damn, why the hell give advice if you don’t understand them. This is a small child.

You can choose completely different pets - large, small, bald, hairy, with a variety of colors and characters. When purchasing a decorative rat as a pet, you should follow several rules to ensure safety. The rodent has sharp teeth and claws. If necessary, he can use them. A rat bite, painful and unexpected. Why did your beloved pet suddenly start showing aggression? Let's figure out what to do if bitten by a rat?