Rats are very social creatures, they’re friendly, and they’re fascinating to a lot of people. If you have a rat at home, you shouldn’t be surprised if a guest wants to hold him! Just make sure you follow these tips.

If the guest is a child, make sure you talk about calm handling techniques. Most rats don’t like being handled roughly. Always provide a child with direct supervision when handling your pet.

No matter who wants to hold your rat, it’s important that they wash their hands. You don’t want your rat thinking their finger smells like a snack. They could end up getting bitten!

Make sure you choose an area where, if the rat were to be dropped, he wouldn’t be able to scurry away and hide. Hold the rat over a box, on the couch, or on the bed.

To learn more, click here, or contact your veterinarian McHenry, IL.