My female rat Thelma had 5 babies on thursday night, and i need some information. I used to have rats when i was a kid, but i don't remember much. My main problem is the cage i have Thelma and her new family in is too small, i have a larger cage to move her to. What i want to know is when is it safe to move her and the babies to her new cage? And is it ok to clean her cage? How old do the babies have to be befor i take them away from Thelma? I know most of the basics, such as when she'll wean them, when they'll open there eyes and when they'll start getting fur and eating on there own. She's a really good mom, so i'm not worried about that. Thanks!!!
2006-11-15 14:01:40 · 4 answers · asked by gramoira_black_magic 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Try not to move Thelma just yet, if you try and move her and her babies she might try to bite you. (trust me, I had a rat who had babies and she bit everyone who tried to touch her or her babies. She never bit me though) when you can, put her and her babies in her cage, don't worry to much about where exactly you put them because Thelma is probably going to rearrange everything the way she wants it anyway. The babies are to stay with her until they are 6 weeks, just like a kitten or pup would. they should be able to start eating rat and mouse mix by 3 or 4 weeks old, and by the time they leave mum, they should be well and truly weaned by then anyway.
As for cleaning thelma's cage while she's got the babies in there, I would do it every couple of days because she's not going to leave them much and she'll pee where she's sleeping with them. Take her out and maybe put her and babies in a little rat proof cage while you clean it. I just use soapy water, I try not to use chemicals with my rats.
Best of luck, hope it's been of some use!
2006-11-16 00:15:04 · answer #1 · answered by melfromhell001 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow you do have alot of questions. It is ok for her to rear her babies in a small cage, as long as it's not too small. And if you do move her and her pups to a larger cage it must not be a two level cage. When you clean her cage just scoop out all of the litter around her nest that she has made and replace it with the clean litter. She needs a cave to hide under and nurse her pups so I hope you have one for her. You can move the pups away from Thelma a week after their eyes have opened. Now once you notice the males have developed their testicles you will need to separate them from the females. The females can stay with Thelma but the males cant. Good luck.
2006-11-15 18:33:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The pups can be removed from the mom when they are weaned, at 3 weeks old.
Normally I wouldn't clean the cage or move them before the pups are weaned. If your rat is very comfortable with you putting your hand in the cage and touching the babies, you might be able to manage it, but I'd say it's better to wait, especially if she has never lived in the cage you want to move them to. You might be able to reach in and take out some of the dirty litter and put in some clean, but don't overdo it. If she doesn't object, you could take Thelma out briefly while you do this, but don't move the babies unless you are quite sure she wouldn't be upset about it. I had one rat that would let me take her babies out, but not all mother rats can tolerate this.
2006-11-15 17:03:59 · answer #3 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally wait about 1 week before I start messing with my rats babies. I have never had a problem with this method.
2006-11-15 14:04:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋