I need help with my pet rats!

[r-englefield]

I have brought two rats from a pet shop 3 weeks ago. They're 19 weeks old now. I used to have two other rats which were very tame but these ones won't let us handle them and hide as soon as they see us. We've let them out on the sofa every day and stroked them to make them used to us but they're no better. Is it still early days for them to get used to us? If we perservere will they become tamer? Any help on this please!?

[treetops1]

There seems to be some good advice here for every at situation. Good luck with them

http://www.wikihow.com/Tame-a-Rat

[Answerprancer]

You need to persist, get them out every day and hold them close to you - let them run up inside your sleeves etc, they should be ok in time.

[Ratty2E]

I have twice written a long reply but this site keeps locking up on me. Basically it will take time and patience but you must persevere, it will be worth it. Try these sites for more detailed advice from people who know about rats. Sadly pet shops are probably one of the worst places to get rats from but rats are inquisitive and naturally friendly so it's perfectly possible to tame even the most skittish of rats. Good luck from a fellow rat lover.
http://www.nfrs.org/index.html
http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/home/

[wildwood]

Unfortunately, most petshops buy their rats/mice from wholesale breeders so the animals are not that used to human contact. It would ofcourse have been better to get them from a private hobbyist but yes, as our rat expert has stated above, they will become tame eventually.

[r-englefield]

Thank you all for your good advice, perservere we will, dont want them to stay in their cage all the time, again, many thanks.