I'm worried about my rat?

Question

I got two male rats last Thursday. I was going to get babies but I decided to get the two oldest ones that weren't sold. They were both very sweet, and I think she said they're 13 weeks? Around that. Anyway, the most friendly one (at the time) is the most frightened of me out of the two now, and it started when I was trying to put them in their cage with the carrier and something I did made a noise they didn't like and immediately didn't trust me after that. The breeder told me not to leave them alone, but because of what happened I decided to leave them be for a day, and i've been taking it slow, I've been giving them food from my hands and I'm not doing anything to show i'm a threat, yet if I move the slightest bit they'll jump and run away. Now, I've just seen my grey rat have a dark red crust on one of this eyes. It's gone now but has left a slight stain on his fur. A the moment I have mesh (or hardware cloth) around my cage because they're too small for my 1 inch bars, and I'm kind of hoping he somehow scratched himself, because then it will heal and he'll be fine. However, if that's not the case, then he's either ill or stressed, and I don't know what to do. If he's stressed, I don't know what I can do to make him feel safer. And if he's ill then my mum (who didn't want me to get rats) will be furious to know I need her to drive me to the vet so early into getting them. I also read that it could be because of too much sunlight, so i'll see if that's why, but please help

daniel g · Answer

They are still a bit scared yet and not yet fully trusting. It can sometimes take a while for them to learn that, Have plenty of patience, Ratties are smart and they will soon come around.
Read their body language and avoid things that seem to scare them. I f they choose to avoid you, give them that freedom to hide and feel safe.
Doesn't sound like any issues, or not to the point of any vet, likely still a bit of stress.

Trigger · Answer

You are doing a great job with your rats already. I would not be overly concerned about their health and their apparent timidity. You bought "older" rats that were probably not handled a lot so it's going to take a little longer for them to really warm up to you. Be aware that the personality of individual rats differ. Some are more adventurous, some are more jumpy and skittish, some appear to be friendly, others can be nippy or bite y. I know because I do breed my own rats as feeders for may snakes and reptiles. The ones I keep as 'pets' I have a personal attachment to because those ones dispositions are nicer than others.

Keep feeding them treats, eventually as they get older they will get used to you (your hand). The idea is consistency and gentle treatment. But you don't have to act like they are made of porcelain china.

I'm worried about my rat?

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