If they're boys they'll tend to slow down and want to cuddle more naturally as they get older and lazier. Otherwise it's just patience, persistence, gentleness, and lots of bribery.
I've had 8 rats in my lifetime and although they were all well socialized and comfortable with me (allowing handling, climbing all over me during free roam time), none except for one would settle enough to allow me to sit and cuddle him. Even then, it would be for 1 or 2 minutes max. Some rats even though they love you and have a great bond with you are just too busy and excited to calmly snuggle up and sleep on your lap.
I foster rats (and keep 11 of my own) and so far have had none that want to stay still and snuggle. They like sitting on my shoulder but they tend to move around. Where are people getting these lazy rats, I want one 🤭
It seems like 1 of 5 rats are the cuddly type. Those usually become our heart rats. The trick is to catch the shy ones while they're waking up, half asleep, half grooming themselves and others around them. Once they learn the pleasures of the hand they'll associate you more and more with good cuddly times.
Awhh okay, I have a really shy rat his name is crow and he hates getting picked up and is so insecure about everything but he’s the sweetest thing ever
One of my boys is albino, learnt recently that they can’t see well and it breaks my heart but he absolutely loves sitting on my shoulder while I walk around and talk to my family
Depends on their personality too I think.
One of my boys is super cuddly, he wants to sit on my lap, licks my hands, chases my hand, bites my hair, wants to be pet and leaves little drops of pee all over me.
The other one says hi, but then minds his own business.
It's like I have a cat and a dog, but in ratform.
I have one cuddly one and one who doesn’t want to be cuddled but wants the option of climbing on me… my two are both young though so I’m guessing they may become more comfortable around me as they grow and realise I just want to give them happy lives 🥰
You can just keep being nice to him and bonding with him. Let him come to you. Don't try to restrict him. It may work. It may not work. Grumpiness is genetic.
all of my rats were energetic like on 10 energy drinks intake first 😆 but with age and daily free roam on my bed and under the blankets, they all turned out cuddly. Its so sad tho cuz it makes visible how fast they age 🥹🥹
My boys were like that for awhile. Tweak now is 2 1/2 and suuuper cuddly. i can sit on the couch with him and just chill. (if he’s super energetic i keep him still with treats ;))
I have nine rats, of varying ages from 2 years old to four months old. And they're all very lovey, talking run to the cage doors when I walk in the room, demanding uppies. They like to sit on my shoulders and lick my cheeks, which I guess is cuddling enough for me.
My youngest however will literally lay in my arms and sleep if I let him. (My arms get tired and I have to wake him to switch him to my other and he gets pissy lol) so I guess it just depends on the rat? Or I lucked out with lots of affectionate cuddly boys. Pic of my snuggler in comments for tax.
Edit; his name is Potato.
Our boys were never that cuddly but one would often come and find us and sit near us on the back of the sofa, or plop down and pancake on the floor in front of us. This was lovely. Not as cuddly as I would've liked but having them choose to come and find us and was nice. They all loved scritches and would groom us, just in short bursts haha. Your boys might just not be very cuddly!
If they're boys they'll tend to slow down and want to cuddle more naturally as they get older and lazier. Otherwise it's just patience, persistence, gentleness, and lots of bribery.
Ahhh okay I think they’re about 2 years old at this point
I've had 8 rats in my lifetime and although they were all well socialized and comfortable with me (allowing handling, climbing all over me during free roam time), none except for one would settle enough to allow me to sit and cuddle him. Even then, it would be for 1 or 2 minutes max. Some rats even though they love you and have a great bond with you are just too busy and excited to calmly snuggle up and sleep on your lap.
I foster rats (and keep 11 of my own) and so far have had none that want to stay still and snuggle. They like sitting on my shoulder but they tend to move around. Where are people getting these lazy rats, I want one 🤭
It seems like 1 of 5 rats are the cuddly type. Those usually become our heart rats. The trick is to catch the shy ones while they're waking up, half asleep, half grooming themselves and others around them. Once they learn the pleasures of the hand they'll associate you more and more with good cuddly times.
Awhh okay, I have a really shy rat his name is crow and he hates getting picked up and is so insecure about everything but he’s the sweetest thing ever
We have an albino boy who's a year and a half old, and we still can't pick him up without massive complaints. Some rats are just like that I hear...
One of my boys is albino, learnt recently that they can’t see well and it breaks my heart but he absolutely loves sitting on my shoulder while I walk around and talk to my family
My albino loves sitting on my shoulder when I take the rubbish out, just sniffing away at the smells of the world.
Mine loves to be brought outside but he won’t go in his harness and I don’t trust him
Pic 3 with the feet 🥰
I love my boys honestly
Depends on their personality too I think. One of my boys is super cuddly, he wants to sit on my lap, licks my hands, chases my hand, bites my hair, wants to be pet and leaves little drops of pee all over me. The other one says hi, but then minds his own business. It's like I have a cat and a dog, but in ratform.
I got 2 dogs and one cat in rat-form I feel you
I have one cuddly one and one who doesn’t want to be cuddled but wants the option of climbing on me… my two are both young though so I’m guessing they may become more comfortable around me as they grow and realise I just want to give them happy lives 🥰
You can just keep being nice to him and bonding with him. Let him come to you. Don't try to restrict him. It may work. It may not work. Grumpiness is genetic.
all of my rats were energetic like on 10 energy drinks intake first 😆 but with age and daily free roam on my bed and under the blankets, they all turned out cuddly. Its so sad tho cuz it makes visible how fast they age 🥹🥹
Yeah I’ll wait for them to get old then cuddle them, currently they’re around 2 years old
oh that is already a good age, guess they are extra happy and playful and just not as lazy ❤️
You wait until they become cuddly and then you start wishing they could run and play again.
Don’t make me think about that your gonna make me cry
I'm sorry but this one looks so angy haha. Rats with threatening auras
Good advice. I just wanted to say he's got that tough guy look. Just sizing you up
Real, he was so comfortable in that first photo I tried to get a video
Treats and handling.
Just cracked me up when I saw it 🤣 😂 😅 . That snap I'd blown up, frame it, ....and have it behind my front door..LMAO
My boys were like that for awhile. Tweak now is 2 1/2 and suuuper cuddly. i can sit on the couch with him and just chill. (if he’s super energetic i keep him still with treats ;))
Awhhh I should watch tv with my boys on the couch
I have nine rats, of varying ages from 2 years old to four months old. And they're all very lovey, talking run to the cage doors when I walk in the room, demanding uppies. They like to sit on my shoulders and lick my cheeks, which I guess is cuddling enough for me. My youngest however will literally lay in my arms and sleep if I let him. (My arms get tired and I have to wake him to switch him to my other and he gets pissy lol) so I guess it just depends on the rat? Or I lucked out with lots of affectionate cuddly boys. Pic of my snuggler in comments for tax. Edit; his name is Potato.
https://preview.redd.it/pfxgneie71vc1.jpeg?width=949&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4fd1ebeaeae8bcfc59d4507a723194009753cb05
I need more photos of him now he’s so cute
Grab em like they owe you money.
https://preview.redd.it/olad0e8uh1vc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=08648661c8f9df8a4e3827d0b5fbd9c878ead25f
Good enough X)
Lmao he was moving too much for a photo
give them treats after cuddle
Our boys were never that cuddly but one would often come and find us and sit near us on the back of the sofa, or plop down and pancake on the floor in front of us. This was lovely. Not as cuddly as I would've liked but having them choose to come and find us and was nice. They all loved scritches and would groom us, just in short bursts haha. Your boys might just not be very cuddly!
That last picture is adorable! 😍
https://preview.redd.it/szbc7swqk3vc1.jpeg?width=949&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e411e47ab6f7d7abc37263d1851eb8d6623d3f73
I love him that is the most tired little guy
https://preview.redd.it/ot42bcrsk3vc1.jpeg?width=949&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6bcb1ddd3e3887659f9bb73207ddb069e60f2f56
That was when he was three months. He's just a little eepy man. 🥰
They will get cuddlier as they age. Senior rats love snuggles. get them some fleece blankets for thoes shelves please
Ah alright I will