How to Bond With Your New Rat

Forming Trust

When you first bring your pets home put them in their cage and give them some time to wrest. Once they seem more adjusted open the cage and reach your hand in, lay it down on the bottom of the cage and stay still. This will help your rats learn that you aren't dangerous, and that the large hands entering their cage won't hurt them. If your rats don't come to your hand and investigate put some treats on them and wait. If they still show no interest leave the treats in the cage and give them more time to settle in. 

Continued Bonding

There is a concept called pocket time that is a time when you hold your rat. They might be comfortable in little pockets in a jacket if you are wearing one. It is simply a time when your rat is somewhere near you and in contact with you. This will let them get comfortable with you as a whole. Holding them close to your body so they can feel your warmth and feel stable is a good technique. 

Bonding Through the Cage

If you want to spend time with your rats when they have just arrived but feel they aren't ready to have their home invaded by your hand talk to them softly. Keep the cage shut, keep your volume low, and if possible turn the lights down. No harm will come to your little creature from light but they do try to avoid flashing lights based on their general nature. Having the lights not completely off but lower is a good way to lessen the sensory overload they might be experiencing in a new place.