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Taming rats – step-by-step plan for trust, handling & preventing biting (information page)
Rats are intelligent, social animals and can become very tame. But "taming" isn't a trick: it's a combination of rest, routine, safe handling, and positive associations (rewards). This page is an information and decision-making guide. You'll read exactly what to do, why, and how to build it up safely – with handy shopping links for treats, enrichment, and practical cage setups.
Taming them works best with a consistent routine and safe hiding places. Combine this with houses , hammocks , and tunnels .
Use small, responsible rewards to teach "hand = safe": rat snacks . (Small = more practice, without over-snacking.)
A rat that's mentally "full" is often calmer when interacting with it. Build in daily foraging and play: play & foraging and cage accessories .
The Basics: What “Tameness” Really Is
Taming means teaching your rats that your presence is predictable and safe. You work in small steps: looking → sniffing → eating from your hand → voluntarily stepping onto your hand → gently picking them up → relaxing outside the cage. If you force them too quickly, you often get reactions: stress, ducking, or snapping.
- Always work with at least two rats (social animals) and give them sufficient attention.
- Practice briefly but often : 2–5 minutes at a time is fine, preferably several times a day.
- Let the rat choose : voluntary contact creates the fastest trust.
Step-by-step plan: taming rats in 7 practical phases
- Phase 1 – Getting used to your voice
Sit quietly by the cage every day. Speak softly and move slowly. Don't "hand-fight" in the cage: just be present. - Phase 2 – Hand in the cage (without grabbing)
Place your hand still (palm down or to the side) and let your rats sniff on their own. Don't chase them. - Phase 3 – rewarding with the fingers
Give a small reward for calm behavior. Start with something you can offer safely (e.g., on the flat of your hand). See: rat snacks . - Phase 4 – rewarding on the open hand
Place the treat a little further down your hand, so they'll put a paw (and later two) on your hand. This teaches them that "hand = stable place." - Stage 5 – Voluntary hand stepping
Let them choose to land completely on your hand. Stay low to the ground/platform so they can step off safely. - Phase 6 – short, low “lift” (1–2 seconds)
If they're sitting relaxed on your hand: lift them up very briefly and low, then immediately put them back down and reward them. This prevents panic and builds trust. - Phase 7 – exit + return
Start the run in a safe, enclosed area and make returning easy with a reward or a familiar carrier. Handy: rat carrier .
Safe Pick-Up: How to Do It Without Stress
Picking them up is often the most exciting part. Important: never grab them by the tail and don't hold rats high in the air. Work low over a soft surface and use two hands: one under the body and the other as support/protection.
- Let the dog sniff first (hand = predictable).
- Scoop with both hands (support the belly and hindquarters).
- Stay low : If a rat gets startled and jumps, prevent it from falling.
- Avoid movements from above : this can feel threatening.
Practical tip: “transport box method”
Don't have a tame rat (yet)? Let your rat run around in a carrier (with a treat), move it calmly, and then let the rat get out again. This prevents chasing and "grabbing." See: rat carriers .
Free range: the accelerator for trust (but safely)
Daily attention and exercise outside the cage are incredibly helpful in taming. Keep it simple: a fixed outdoor area, a fixed routine, and a fixed "back-home" method.
- Rat-proof : hide cables, shield holes/heights, keep poisonous plants out of reach.
- Safe hiding places in the enclosure (cardboard boxes/tunnels) so they can explore in a relaxed manner.
- Enrichment : let them search for food, climb and do puzzles: play & foraging .
Preventing Bites: Where Things Usually Go Wrong (and What to Do When They Do)
"Biting" is often not aggression, but fear , overstimulation , or miscommunication (e.g., fingers that smell like food). This plan will reduce the risk:
- Wash your hands before practicing (especially after eating/snacks).
- Use a flat hand when rewarding (less of a “bite reflex” than with fingertips).
- Stop when you're tense : breathe hard, freeze, duck, or jump. Go back one step in the plan.
- Never punish : that actually makes hands unsafe. Reward the desired behavior.
Checklist: Taming Rats (Quick Check)
If you work with this, you'll almost always be right:
✔ Daily short contact moments (calm, predictable)
✔ Reward with small snacks (hand = safe)
✔ Hand in cage without grasping (rat chooses contact)
✔ Pick up only low and with both hands
✔ Run-out area made safe (cables/heights)
✔ Daily enrichment (foraging/play) for peace in the group
Safety warnings
- Never pick up rats by the tail or hold them high (risk of falling).
- Don't panic and reach out to the rats with your bare hands if stress arises; separate them calmly and safely.
- Children: always supervise and only pick up the rat when it is completely tame.
- Do you notice shortness of breath, lethargy, or sudden changes in behavior? Contact a veterinarian with experience working with rodents.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Taming Rats
How long does it take to tame rats?
This varies per rat and depending on the starting point (young/adult, previous experience). With short, daily sessions, you often see clear progress within weeks. If you force it, it usually takes longer.
My rats come to my hand, but they're afraid of being picked up. What now?
That's perfectly normal. Stick to the "hand = safe" principle and build up picking up in micro-steps: first voluntarily on the hand, then lift low for 1–2 seconds and put back down, reward, and stop.
What are good rewards for training?
Small, appealing treats work best. Choose small ones (so you can practice often) and combine them with foraging: rat treats and play & foraging .
How do I get them back into the cage safely?
Make returning predictable: use a fixed reward, a fixed route, or the carrier method: rat carrier .
Tip: Want personalized advice? DRD Rodent Shop® has been a specialist since 2011 and is happy to help you with a practical approach for your group.
Why rat information from DRD Rodent Shop®?
✔ Specialist since 2011
✔ Practical selection aid + direct links to the correct categories
✔ Smartly selected range for well-being & safety
Read more and shop by topic: Rat webshop (overview) .
