I had two female rats but now only have one as I lent the other one to someone with a male so they could spend some time together. The single one is running all over the cage and seems to be upset and unhappy. When I bring her friend back will things be OK. Will I have to separate them again if the other one is pregnant?
2007-12-13 02:59:01 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Rodents
Things will be normal again. Bring the pregnant one home soon (they generally get pregnant the first day and give birth 21 days later like clockwork) so she'll feel at home again with her friend. You can leave them together and they will both care for the babies. The single rat may even lactate! It will be cute.
2007-12-13 05:29:18 · answer #1 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You might want to take the scent off the rat who has been away, just rub some bedding on her to make her smell familiar again. Take the introduction stages slowly. If you have trouble introducing each other again then wait until after the pregnancy and sort something out so that she has a cage-mate.
Other than that the questions have been answered
Good luck with your many babies
2007-12-13 18:03:49 · answer #2 · answered by let me have my fractured logic 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She is obviously stressed out because the absense of her cagemate. Give her some extra attention. Animals are very unpredictable and it's hard to say what will happen when they are re-introduced. It would be best to start with a neutral cage(clean cage) when the other female comes back. Make sure to supervise them carefully. Hopefully she will be o.k. and they can raise the pups together. Good Luck!
dave<:3}~...OWNER/ SHAGGYMOUSE YAHOO GROUP
2007-12-13 05:54:53 · answer #3 · answered by dave s 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure until re-introduced,but after only one mating with male,rats can have two or three litters.Be prepared for some re-homing of babies.All good fun. Happy Xmas.
2007-12-13 03:21:58 · answer #4 · answered by C B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my friend bought 2 female rats, and one turned out to be pregnant, they stayed in same cage, when babies were born mother, got a bit protective, the aunty had to sleep on her own and stay away ect. anyway after a week, mother let auntie back in the nest, they both looked after the 6 young uns. to a previous answer, as far as i am aware rats don't kill rats, not in their nature, they help one another, especially the sick and old, six of my boys always leave a small uneaten portion of porridge, even though they love it...its for no 7 he is blind he's always late for breakfast, but they leave his share for him, loads of info on web just type in fancy rats, all the answers you will ever need.....be careful when she comes back.....slowly does it..............
2007-12-13 06:06:56 · answer #5 · answered by rabbsnrats 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes your poor little ratty is lonely. When you get the other one backif she's pregnant, you'll have to keep them apart as the babies may be eaten by the other one. You can however keep them in separate cages next to one another.
2007-12-13 03:10:12 · answer #6 · answered by Soup Dragon 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She may be experiencing separation anxiety. When she is reunited with the other rat she should be fine again. Yes if pregnant, separate so the other one doesn't eat the babies. You could put them in separate tanks but facing each other so the other one doesn't freak out.
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Sweetie
2007-12-13 03:06:44 · answer #7 · answered by ♥Šωèé†íé♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
shes used to having her friend with her, its a bit like taking mum away from a baby that isn't used to separation.
once she comes back she should be fine but just keep an eye on them to make sure there isn't a fight.
as they are both female they should be fine if one is pregnant, in the wild they stay in groups so it shouldn't be an issue as they are friendly sociable creatures.
2007-12-13 06:17:37 · answer #8 · answered by bebishenron 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
she's lonely, and she may not accept her mate back . Her mate will smell like the male and she will get jelous becuase she wanted some! lol .
Anyway. when re introducing them , just go easy with it all, and yes, play with her alot now, keep her entertained.
As for the pregnancy, her mate should let her stay in the cage, and mum should feel happy with her mate around. infact they'll help eachother!
good luck!
2007-12-13 03:04:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, yes. She won't accept your other rat's babies; she'll most probably kill them.
Handle your current rat for extra hours a day to keep her from loneliness, maybe keep her in a pen or something around the house so she'll be occupied on something else, rather than the loss of her pal.
2007-12-13 05:18:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋