my hairless rat died in a month the place i got her is sketchy i want to replace her with the same breed, they said i could buy a baby but im afraid they'll sell it to me even if it's too young, what age should i ask for?
2007-05-23 18:04:51 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Rodents
Rats should stay with their mothers for 5 weeks -- after that, bring them home!
I hope you will get TWO rats. Rats are VERY social and they NEED other rats to be really happy. No matter how much time you spend with your rat, you cannot communicate with her or groom her like another rat can. And just think -- you will save TWO rats from this 'sketchy' place and you will have TWICE the love!
2007-05-23 18:24:39 · answer #1 · answered by luvrats 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wean my rats at between 4 - 5 weeks, depending on the size of the pups. I would not suggest bringing home ANY rat that is younger than 5 weeks and would suggest waiting til 6 - 8 weeks to make sure they are doing well on their own first.
If this breeder is trying to sell you another rat, I'd stay WELL away! If one of my rats died within a month of me selling it, I'd replace it for free!
Sounds like this person might be seriously interbreeding her rats to make sure the babies are hairless at the cost of the rats health!
Chalk this one up to a lesson learned and find another breeder! If you go to www.ratster.com you will find a list of breeders around the US and Canada. Hopefully you'll find one there who is close to you.
Good luck!
2007-05-24 05:54:24 · answer #2 · answered by Annie B. Mice 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have pet rats. Mine just had babies a few weeks ago. You want them to be atleast 5 weeks old. They will have been weened and can eat regular food and drink for themselves out of the water bottle If you feel the place is sketchy, I would not return there.
2007-05-24 08:01:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
About 5 weeks
2007-05-24 04:07:24 · answer #4 · answered by Lil_brat 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Three to four weeks or older.
I always used to separate my rat pups from the mom at three weeks, as they do fine on regular rat food then. Some people like to go for 4 weeks.
Disinfect your cage before getting a new rat.
2007-05-23 18:39:16 · answer #5 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
no younger than four or five weeks. six would be even better. our pet store doesn't sell them until they are two months old. usually if they sell them before four weeks they are selling them as feeders.
2007-05-24 08:03:07 · answer #6 · answered by MommyCaleb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to get them as young as you can after 5 weeks. They will be easier to train. :) :) :) :)
2007-05-24 05:36:54 · answer #7 · answered by Sara M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should get them at exactly 7 weeks.
2007-05-26 09:22:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋