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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/16/2009 6:03:33 AM
Posts: 5,
Visits: 9
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| I recently bought my first pet rat Lillie on Jan 2. I noticed recently she had been becoming extra fat and I couldn't figure out why. Well today she gave birthday to 10 pups. That was not what I expected at all. I'm not really too sure how to take care of the pups. I am a certified animal care technician, but I have never worked with pups before. I foundering if anyone could give me any good tips or advice as to what general care they need until I have to remove them and should I make a compliant to the pet store for having male and female rats together in the same cage?
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/22/2009 7:47:08 PM
Posts: 35,
Visits: 48
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Here are a few sites on Babies
Carring for the Babies -->http://ratfanclub.org/repro.html
-->http://ratguide.com/breeding/baby_development/birth_to_weaning.php
-->http://ratgrowth.homestead.com/index.html
Sexing the babies -->http://firstrats.tripod.com/litters/id79.htm
Finding homes -->http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/information/guides.php?subject=homingrats
Since you only have one rat, I would HIGHLY recommend that you keep one of the female babies to keep your Lillie company. Rats are extremely social creators and should never be housed alone. Lone rats become bored and depressed and lack a sunny disposition. I have had a lone rat before (while she was in quarantine) and she was so lonely no matter how much attention I gave her. When I finally introduced her to my girls, she became a completely different rat, she was HAPPY 
"One rat or more?
Many believe that keeping one rat is just fine, however, many people who have owned rats for years have come to realize that rats are extremely social and tend to live a lot happier life with a cage mate of the same gender. When you think about it, being how intelligent they are, being stuck in a cage for a majority of your life, with no cage mate and only a wheel, a few toys that you see all the time, and someone who comes around every once in awhile to visit, can make anyone bored out of their mind and become depressed. Having a friend will keep a rat more alert, more active, more curious, more friendly, and a lot smarter. Not to mention, a pair can play with each other and help each other stay cleaner (a lone rat is unable to reach behind the ears and under the chin, but a friend will clean those heard to reach places). "
taken from http://www.freewebs.com/dreamchaser023/ratinfo.htm
As for contacting the pet store... they won't care. If it was from Petco or PetsMart, then the rat must have come to them pregnant. If it was from a mom and pop place, then they just will not care. Pet stores are in it for the money, they do not care about the animals they sell. They see them as merchandise not living things. I know... I work at a petstore and am constantly disappointed when vet appointments are canceled (with corporate in favor of sending the animal back rather then giving it medical care... when sent back, the animals are either left to die, put down, or forced to breed while still sick, living a life of pain and neglect). This is the very reason I refuse to buy any animal from a pet store again and opt to rescue or go through a breeder. 
Good luck!
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/16/2009 6:03:33 AM
Posts: 5,
Visits: 9
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Thank you for all the information. I am excited to take care of the pups, just not too sure how I'm going to giving each pup a good home. I do plan on keeping at least 1 female pup. Lillie is very attached to me so I think it is a good idea to keep a friend (well daughter). I still feel like giving that pet store a piece of my mind.
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/22/2009 7:47:08 PM
Posts: 35,
Visits: 48
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Good Luck with the babies!!! \^o^/
feel free to post pics of the cuties 
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