ive got two rats and they both have a litter one has 8 the other 10! just want to know about cleaning them out and holding the two mums. cheers xx
2007-03-26 01:54:46 · 14 answers · asked by jj 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
pet rats are not vermin they are intelligant and loving animals
2007-03-26 02:07:38 · update #1
the father has gone now! so it wont happen again!
2007-03-27 02:13:11 · update #2
youve got the same name as me !! jj .
i wouldnt clean them until atleast 3 wks old as they tend to eat their babies if they smell you on them . they will clean best they can and perhaps you could just remove what you can without disturbing them , congrats on your babies .
2007-03-26 01:59:35 · answer #1 · answered by j.j. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what you know about rat babies...
But, as long as the two mothers are already familiar with your smell, and they have your trust, it is OK to handle the babies. You actually should check on them at least once or twice a day to see if they have a milk band. That's the white line on their bellies, where you can see the mother's milk in their tummies. If you see any dead babies, you'll want to remove them, and give mom a break every once in a while. As the babies start to get their fur in, you won't see the milk band, but still should handle the rittens, so they will be social, and not fearful animals.
Anyway, about cleaning the cage. I'd start spot cleaning, taking out the poop and scooping up any wetness each day, a little at a time. Wait at least 2 weeks to do a thorough cleaning.
I don't know where you got them, but you'll want to let the seller know, and at 5 weeks of age, seperate all the males from the females, or you're going to have to do this all over again!!
2007-03-26 09:25:10 · answer #2 · answered by pisces_dreamer_dreaming 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, first off, I don't know if you bought them from the pet store pregnant or not(yes, that does happen often), or had a male in your cage. But, If you got them from a petstore that way, complain to a store manager. If you have a male rat, keep him far far away from the females. Don't even let them "play" together for a second, because that's all it takes. Just leave the nests alone and let nature do it's thing. You can clean the cages out in about 4 weeks. If you don't want these rats to be used as snake food, and can't find them good pet homes on your own, there are often small animal rescues in your area. Or just take them to the humane society. They'll find good home for them.
2007-03-26 05:09:51 · answer #3 · answered by Stephanie V 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you have handled the moms frequently then you should be alright to handle them now without disturbing the litters. Make sure you do not put the two mothers together in the same cage with as they may eat the others young. And once th little ones are old enough that they are not suckling they can and should be moved to another cage both litters can be put together but unless you want millions of rats running around I would separate the females from the males.
2007-03-26 02:03:46 · answer #4 · answered by SNKBYT 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm not a rat peron but i am a mouse person. Which I have ALWAYS wanted but my mom and sister both HATE them to death. My best advice for you is to get a barrier for the cage to seperate the 3 month old rat from the baby rat that way the baby dont leave marks on the 3 month old. If that dont work then get a seperate cage for the baby rat so he or she dont bully the older one. Good Luck!
2016-03-29 08:08:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave the nest area alone mom will clean it out.When the babies are old enough to leave the nest area on their own you can change the bedding.Provide clean bedding and mom will take it to the nest.Take dad out as he will eat the babies.When rats or any animal has young they don't much care for being held you may get bitten.Just be patient and wait till they get older then hand train the babies as well.Don't be surprised if all the babies don't survive,most times only 5 or 6 will reach adulthood.
2007-03-26 02:02:32 · answer #6 · answered by dymond 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Congratulations!
2007-03-26 01:58:30 · answer #7 · answered by Corsair//Dread 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Please do not clean them, because as they are to young and their bodies are very fragile.
I would probably start to clean them after 3 weeks or even a month, just until their bones harden for them to be picked up and moved around.
~ Be gental ~ xx
2007-03-26 02:04:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
you can no longer keep these rats together because this will happen again.
2007-03-26 09:58:42 · answer #9 · answered by tracy w 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Just make sure none of them ever escape - but if you want to get rid of some of them, find somebody who owns a pet python! ! !
2007-03-26 02:11:59 · answer #10 · answered by Dover Soles 6 · 0⤊ 7⤋