How to Catch and Escaped Pet Rat

Intro: How to Catch and Escaped Pet Rat

If your pet rat has gotten loose follow these steps to catch your little friend.

STEP 1: Don't Panic

It may be tempting to panic when your small friend is lost/loose. The goal is not to catch them quickly, but to find them and keep them safe.

Rats are very smart animals, they are less likely to chew on non-food items than other rodents/pets. Domesticated rats are not the same as wild rats. Domestic rats know that you are going to feed and water them, whereas wild rats have to fight and scavenge to find food. All rats, domestic and wild, are very attached to their homes. As long as they feel safe in their home, they will come back on their own.

STEP 2: Don't Scare

It is also tempting to bang and yell and make loud noises to scare them out, but this rarely works. If they feel scared they will hide even longer. Instead turn off the TV or music and be as quiet as possible. Listen for rat sounds, such as a scamper, small sneeze, or the sound of their movement. You will only hear the squeak if they are hurt or scared. So no squeaking is a good thing. It means, at least, they are not in danger.

STEP 3: Entice

Entice your rat with a favorite treat. (Some rats will come to the sound of food such as the rustling of a bag or shaking a box of treats.) Leave a bowl of the treats in the middle of the floor and wait for them to come to it. Treats that have a stronger scent work best.

If you have located your rat but can't get him or her out try soft food on a spoon such as yogurt or applesauce. This way your rat has to come to you. Make sure to hold the spoon far enough away from the hiding space to be able to pick him or her up.

STEP 4: Lights Out

Rats are naturally nocturnal animals. Some rats will come out after the lights go out.

STEP 5: Search the Small Places

If you can't find your pet rat he or she has likely found a tiny place to squeeze into. Check under and behind all furniture and appliances. Rats can fit through any space that their head can fit through. Even the places you think they cannot fit, check anyways. They may surprise you.

STEP 6: Trap

If you don't have time to seek out your rattie you can rent or buy live rodent traps and place a treat inside.

Comments

[StrattonAE]

I FOUND MY RAT IT WORKED! it is an albino and i found it falling from my dresser and into my clothes draw! i am soo happy!

[StrattonAE]

i'm scared i am only between 7 and 10 and i am crying i don't think i will ever get it back. :( and i just got them yesterday. i have tried soo many times but nope. PLEASE HELP

[SPANGLERSPAN]

It took a week to find her, I Am just hoping shes not super dehydrated and will be okay now that shes back in her home. I tried everything suggested and it seemed to me that she could of squeezed threw the door outside and was gone. Found her tonight when i heard loud chewing come from under her cage.

[robertamae21]

This morning my two year old son decided to not wake me up this morning and instead get into the rat tank and throw all 5 pet rats out of the tank now I am trying to catch them with little luck so I was wondering where would I be able to buy rent or borrow a live rodent trap?

[mawomacks]

Where am I going to get a live Rodent trap

[_Nightwing_]

This really calmed me down enough to quietly and carefully look for my rat. I'm a new pet parent and my my boy JUMPED out of my hands and onto his cage, for fun I assume, as he just ran back and forth before trying to get back into my hands and falling of my dresser. I looked everywhere for him (he's new so I haven't established what he likes to eat or have for treats). I'm so glad this was here to help. I found him in less than twenty minutes, and now he's curled up safe for the night. Thank you!

[MadyD1]

I awoke this morning and my female rat isn’t in her cage
My home doesn’t allow animals and the worst case scenario she’s pregnant and she’s about to have babies any day now
I have looked everywhere and I can’t find her
I don’t have enough money to go buy a trap aswell
My cats would most likely get into it anyway..
please help!

[SelenaC13]

thank you! thank you! thank you!

3 hours of my life is gone from waiting but my rats back and safe.

[dollbabie]

This helps so much! Thank you!

[FbO Vorcha]

Good advice.

[Sheldy123]

Great tips and cute rat! :)