How to Handle a Pet Rat Co-authored by Brian Starr
Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Approved
Bonding with Your Rat
|
Holding Your Rat Properly
|
Expert Q&A
|
Tips
|
Warnings
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This article was co-authored by Brian Starr. Brian Starr is a Rat Specialist and Breeder and the Owner of OC Dumbos out of Central Florida. As America’s only breeder of pet Roof Rats, Brian and OC Dumbos specialize in rat breeding, training, and care. Years of experience and several generations of careful breeding have allowed Brian and OC Dumbos to create a line of tame Roof Rats, bred to make friendly, fun pets. In addition to offering rat accessories and training resources, OC Dumbos also offers free Roof Rat adoptions. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 96% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 28,524 times.
Pet rats are friendly, social, and intelligent pets, making them great family companions. When caring for your rat, it is important to handle them correctly after bonding with them. To get your rat comfortable with your hands, start hand-training 1-2 days after bringing your rat home. Hold the rat in its cage, then let the rat crawl up your arms and shoulders once it is comfortable with you. Either cup the rat in both hands or hold it underneath its front and back legs. With some patience and compassion, you can easily handle your pet rat.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 2:
Bonding with Your Rat
1 Begin bonding with your rat 1-2 days after you first get it. Whether you bought your rat as a baby or you are adopting your rat an as adult, give it 1-2 days to adjust to its new home. After the rat is settled, start petting it and letting it sniff your hand to strengthen your bond.[1]XResearch source
For example, put your hand in the cage and hold it out toward the rat. Let it smell your hand, then gently stroke its back.
Remember to always wash your hands both before and after you handle your rat. You need to wash them before you handle your rat because odors that remain on your hands can stress or alarm the rat. Afterwards, you need to wash your hands for health and hygiene purposes.
2 Put a treat or piece of food in your hand and offer it to your rat. To bond with your rat, offer it treats and food. Use fresh fruits and vegetables like watermelon, apple, broccoli, and carrots, or use specialty rat treats. Hold 1 dime-sized piece or smaller in the palm of your hand, and place your hand in their cage. Then, wait 1-2 minutes for the rat to come get the treat. Do this every day or every other day to bond with your rat.[2]XResearch source
This encourages the rat to familiarize with your scent, and the treat gives them positive reinforcement for coming toward you.
If the rat is too skittish, do not force the treat on them. Instead, try this again the next day.
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3 Place your rat in your cupped hand to start hand-training it. Once your rat warms up to you, gently cup them in your palm while holding your hands in their cage. Leave your hands 1–3 in (2.5–7.6 cm) from the bottom of its cage, in case it wants to get down.[3]XResearch source
You can start this process when your rat is no longer skittish when you give it food or treats.
Holding your rat in your hand for a few minutes gets them used to hand-training. Over time, they will learn to enjoy being handled and held.
4 Hold your rat for 5-20 minutes a day so it gets used to you handling it. Begin holding the rat for a short period of time, like 5 minutes. As your rat gets used to being held, increase the time by 5 or so minutes a day. This way, your rat grows to enjoy spending time with you out of its cage.[4]XResearch source
In addition, talk to your rat often in a calm, soothing voice. Say things like, “Hey little guy, how are you?”
You can continue to give your rats a treat before or after you pick them up.
5 Carry your rat around in your sweatshirt pocket. Another great way to bond with your rat is to place it inside the front pouch of a sweatshirt. After the rat is used to being held for 15-20 minutes, lift it up and put the rat inside your sweatshirt pouch. As you do this, sit on the floor so the rat can’t fall out.[5]XResearch source
Try this when you can comfortably hold your rat for about 15 minutes.
Rats often enjoy the warmth of the sweatshirt, and placing them in the pocket also helps them get used to your smell.
Once the rat is used to the pouch, you can go about your day with the rat inside. Sit on your couch and watch TV with your rat, for instance.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 2:
Holding Your Rat Properly
1 Use your hands to gently scoop up your rat. To easily hold your rat, place 1 hand on either side of it, and slowly bring your hands together. As you do this, cup your rat in your hands and secure it between both palms.[6]XResearch source [7]X Expert Source Brian StarrRat Specialist & BreederExpert Interview
This is an easy way to begin handling your rat.
2 Place 1 hand under the rat’s chest and the other under its hind legs. For a more secure hold, put 1 of your hands under your rat’s chest behind its forelegs. Then, place your other hand under the rat’s back legs to add support.[8]XResearch source
This is a great handling technique if you want to transport your rat or check for any lesions.
3 Hold your hand or arm outward so the rat can climb up. Another option for handling your rat is to let them climb into your hands and up your arms. After your rat is used to being handled, it will seek out hand time, as rats love being held. When playing with your rat, extend your arm so it can crawl into your hand and climb up your arm.[9]XResearch source
Do this inside a playpen, for instance.
You can also extend your arm inside its cage so it can easily crawl up.
4 Let your rat climb up your arm and sit on your shoulder. In addition to climbing up your arms and sitting in your sweatshirt, rats often love to sit on shoulders. As your rat gets comfortable climbing up your arms, let it climb up to your shoulder.[10]XResearch source
With the rat on your shoulder, you can sit and watch TV, read a book, or carefully walk around your home.
5 Avoid picking your rat up by the tail. You should never pick up a rat by their tail, as this can injure them. Neither the tip or base of their tail is acceptable as a handling method.[11]XResearch source
6 Do not squeeze your rat. While sometimes holding them securely is necessary, avoid squeezing your rat at any time. Instead, grasp your rat underneath of its legs firmly yet gently.[12]XResearch source
This can cause injuries or breathing difficulty, and your rat may start to distrust you.
7 Supervise your child if they are handling the rat. If your rat is a pet for your child, always supervise the child when holding the rat. This way, you can ensure the child does not hurt the rat or handle it inappropriately.[13]XResearch source
Children roughly 10 years old and younger should always be supervised with small animals.
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Expert Q&A
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Question How do I pick up my rat without scaring it? Brian Starr Rat Specialist & Breeder Brian Starr is a Rat Specialist and Breeder and the Owner of OC Dumbos out of Central Florida. As America’s only breeder of pet Roof Rats, Brian and OC Dumbos specialize in rat breeding, training, and care. Years of experience and several generations of careful breeding have allowed Brian and OC Dumbos to create a line of tame Roof Rats, bred to make friendly, fun pets. In addition to offering rat accessories and training resources, OC Dumbos also offers free Roof Rat adoptions. Brian Starr Rat Specialist & Breeder Expert Answer You want to avoid going from above and grabbing your rat. Rats don't like that. You should also avoid picking your rat up by the scruff of its neck. Instead, always go underneath and scoop your rat up, supporting their limbs with your hands. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 33
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Tips
If you need to restain your rat, use a washcloth rather than more force. Drape a washcloth over top of it, and wrap the rat into a “rat burrito” with the cloth. This way, you can gently restrain the rat without any harm.[14]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
Rats rarely bite. They are generally friendly creatures that enjoy being picked up and pet. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
Give your rat more attention to deepen your bond. For example, sit near their cage daily and talk to your rat. Open the cage up and pet them after they get used to your hands. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
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Warnings
Never put your fingers in front of the rat’s mouth. While they do not often bite, they could mistake your fingers for a piece of food and accidentally nibble. Thanks Helpful 33 Not Helpful 1
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Co-authored by: Brian Starr Rat Specialist & Breeder This article was co-authored by Brian Starr. Brian Starr is a Rat Specialist and Breeder and the Owner of OC Dumbos out of Central Florida. As America’s only breeder of pet Roof Rats, Brian and OC Dumbos specialize in rat breeding, training, and care. Years of experience and several generations of careful breeding have allowed Brian and OC Dumbos to create a line of tame Roof Rats, bred to make friendly, fun pets. In addition to offering rat accessories and training resources, OC Dumbos also offers free Roof Rat adoptions. This article has been viewed 28,524 times. 81 votes - 96% Co-authors: 5Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 28,524Article SummaryX
Handling your pet rat is a great way to bond with it, but you’ll want to do it safely so you don’t frighten or hurt it. If you just got your rat, give it a couple of days to settle in before you try to hold it. Then, start by holding your rat inside its cage just above the floor where it’ll be most comfortable. Hold one hand on either side of your rat and gently bring them together to cup it in your palms. If it doesn’t want to come, hold a piece of food in one hand to encourage it. Talk to your rat in a soothing voice to reassure it. At first, hold it for a few minutes at a time, then slowly increase the time. Once it gets used to being held in its cage, try holding it out of its cage. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to safely restrain your rat if you need to, read on.Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Elisa Luxford
Aug 2, 2022
"Thanks for the tip, cause I have 2 pet mice at home. One is a female, her name is Amelia and the other is a boy, his name is Tommy or Tom for short. And they have already gotten used to me when I first got them. I'm getting 2 rats on Friday. Thanks for everything."..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Brian Starr Rat Specialist & Breeder Co-authors: 5Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 28,52496% of readers found this article helpful. 81 votes - 96% Click a star to add your vote
Elisa Luxford
Aug 2, 2022
"Thanks for the tip, cause I have 2 pet mice at home. One is a female, her name is Amelia and the other is a boy, his name is Tommy or Tom for short. And they have already gotten used to me when I first got them. I'm getting 2 rats on Friday. Thanks for everything."..." more
Clamith
May 9, 2022
"This was very helpful! I'm planning on getting rats soon, and I'm doing a ton of research so that I can give my rats the best life possible. I added a lot of this to my google document of info."..." more
A.L. White
Mar 7, 2022
"It confirmed I am doing everything right. I have pretty happy rats and we are rarely apart. I love them.My neutered male (a $400. + operation), Bazil and his sister Celia."..." more
Jessica Lopez
Oct 16, 2020
"This article was so helpful. I wanted to get a pet rat myself and it showed me how to carry it the right way, thanks."..." more
Kai Newton
Apr 28, 2022
"I'm getting a pet rat in a couple days, so I am trying to get tips on how to handle and care for my rat!" More success stories Hide success stories
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Co-authored by: Brian Starr Rat Specialist & Breeder This article was co-authored by Brian Starr. Brian Starr is a Rat Specialist and Breeder and the Owner of OC Dumbos out of Central Florida. As America’s only breeder of pet Roof Rats, Brian and OC Dumbos specialize in rat breeding, training, and care. Years of experience and several generations of careful breeding have allowed Brian and OC Dumbos to create a line of tame Roof Rats, bred to make friendly, fun pets. In addition to offering rat accessories and training resources, OC Dumbos also offers free Roof Rat adoptions. This article has been viewed 28,524 times. 81 votes - 96% Co-authors: 5 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 28,524 Article SummaryX
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380 
1 Begin bonding with your rat 1-2 days after you first get it. Whether you bought your rat as a baby or you are adopting your rat an as adult, give it 1-2 days to adjust to its new home. After the rat is settled, start petting it and letting it sniff your hand to strengthen your bond.[1] 
2 Put a treat or piece of food in your hand and offer it to your rat. To bond with your rat, offer it treats and food. Use fresh fruits and vegetables like watermelon, apple, broccoli, and carrots, or use specialty rat treats. Hold 1 dime-sized piece or smaller in the palm of your hand, and place your hand in their cage. Then, wait 1-2 minutes for the rat to come get the treat. Do this every day or every other day to bond with your rat.[2] 
3 Place your rat in your cupped hand to start hand-training it. Once your rat warms up to you, gently cup them in your palm while holding your hands in their cage. Leave your hands 1–3 in (2.5–7.6 cm) from the bottom of its cage, in case it wants to get down.[3] 
4 Hold your rat for 5-20 minutes a day so it gets used to you handling it. Begin holding the rat for a short period of time, like 5 minutes. As your rat gets used to being held, increase the time by 5 or so minutes a day. This way, your rat grows to enjoy spending time with you out of its cage.[4] 
5 Carry your rat around in your sweatshirt pocket. Another great way to bond with your rat is to place it inside the front pouch of a sweatshirt. After the rat is used to being held for 15-20 minutes, lift it up and put the rat inside your sweatshirt pouch. As you do this, sit on the floor so the rat can’t fall out.[5] 
1 Use your hands to gently scoop up your rat. To easily hold your rat, place 1 hand on either side of it, and slowly bring your hands together. As you do this, cup your rat in your hands and secure it between both palms.[6] [7] 
2 Place 1 hand under the rat’s chest and the other under its hind legs. For a more secure hold, put 1 of your hands under your rat’s chest behind its forelegs. Then, place your other hand under the rat’s back legs to add support.[8] 
3 Hold your hand or arm outward so the rat can climb up. Another option for handling your rat is to let them climb into your hands and up your arms. After your rat is used to being handled, it will seek out hand time, as rats love being held. When playing with your rat, extend your arm so it can crawl into your hand and climb up your arm.[9] 
4 Let your rat climb up your arm and sit on your shoulder. In addition to climbing up your arms and sitting in your sweatshirt, rats often love to sit on shoulders. As your rat gets comfortable climbing up your arms, let it climb up to your shoulder.[10] 
5 Avoid picking your rat up by the tail. You should never pick up a rat by their tail, as this can injure them. Neither the tip or base of their tail is acceptable as a handling method.[11] 
6 Do not squeeze your rat. While sometimes holding them securely is necessary, avoid squeezing your rat at any time. Instead, grasp your rat underneath of its legs firmly yet gently.[12] 
7 Supervise your child if they are handling the rat. If your rat is a pet for your child, always supervise the child when holding the rat. This way, you can ensure the child does not hurt the rat or handle it inappropriately.[13] 
Brian Starr Rat Specialist & Breeder Brian Starr is a Rat Specialist and Breeder and the Owner of OC Dumbos out of Central Florida. As America’s only breeder of pet Roof Rats, Brian and OC Dumbos specialize in rat breeding, training, and care. Years of experience and several generations of careful breeding have allowed Brian and OC Dumbos to create a line of tame Roof Rats, bred to make friendly, fun pets. In addition to offering rat accessories and training resources, OC Dumbos also offers free Roof Rat adoptions. 
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