Need some help on raising baby........Rats... **UPDATE 9/1**

[Rainstorm]

I will start off first by saying If you dont want to help me then dont post at all.


Now, we were cleaning out a old closet with stuff thats literally hasnt been touched for years, we found a box with trash that looked like rats shredded, We dumped it in a trash bag, awhile later we heard something squeaking and I opened the bag and started digging and found 5 babies, their fully furred but dont have their eyes open yet. This was yesterday, I gave them some sugar water cuz they wouldnt take milk with a syringe

What else can I feed them or anyone got any help on how to dropper feed em? I got them in a container with it setting on a heating pad so their staying warm. and No im not going to flush them/give them to cat/kill em. Help or dont help yes I know their RATS.

 

[JulieNKC]

Baby rodents are very hard to hand raise. I would give them some bird seed and very finely chopped veggies. The gerbils/hamsters/rats etc I have had could always nibble on solid food before they could open their eyes. And maybe some esbilac (puppy formula) with an eye dropper. They look like they should be opening their eyes within a few days, they grow very fast. If you can get them through the next week they should be fine. Good luck!

 

[chickmchickie]

Rats are so easy to raise.. i have had so many rats in my time.. use puppy formula with a bottle. also you can mix up a few raw eggs, milk and sugar.. they will drink from a bottle they have them at pet stores.. i had raised most of mine with bottles.. mine were hooded rats..

 

[Rainstorm]

Thanks! Im using a small syringe right now going to pick up an eye dropper tomorrow

 

[BorderKelpie]

They are too cute - good luck with them!

 

[mothrhen]

be very careful with the eye dropper/syringe. Fluid can easily get into thier lungs. They look almost ready to try solid foods. You can try puppy milk soaked bread (no nutrition in bread but it will get the milk in). Rodent blocks crushed and a little puppy milk or even water mixed in and see if they try to eat on their own. I had a similar experince with a litter of mice and I put the litter of mice in a havahart trap. I place the trap where I found the nest and overnight the mother was in the trap with the babies. This was the easiest way to foster the group. Good luck.

 

[bagendhens]

fully furred means your not going to have to do much for long....
right now id do a syrnge but dont force, just simple drops and let them lap (the bottles tend to be too big on the teet)
Kitten milk replacer (KMR) is better than puppy milk, if not...goats milk is best if you can get it.

as soon as the eyes open there ready to start baby mush (mommy wll encorage them to start eating solids pretty quickly) dog kibble ground up and mixed with KMR to make it a mush is a good starting point and leave rat block down at all times once those eyes open so they can start nibbling.

 

[bufforp89]

I have used a lactose-free pet milk available in the pet section of most grocery stores..I think its usually sold as a sort of cat treat..I have raised many rodents on this sucessfully. You can also get rodent milk replacer at the pet store, sort of pricey though and dosnt get the job dont IMO

 

[Stacykins]

You can also use SOY HUMAN INFANT FORMULA! I mix it mix it at a 2:1 ratio. I used it to successfully raise a domestic rat who was several days old at the start. Warmth, and consistent feedings often are very important. I used a little syringe, squeeze out a drop on the tip and let the rat lick it after you put it up to their lips. By the way, they can get very messy when eating, so be sure to use a warm, damp cloth to clean formula off them afterward.

Don't forget to stimulate them to eliminate after each feeding! Use a cotton ball, cotton swab, baby wipe, etc. to rub on their bums several times until they pee and/or poo. If you don't, they won't do so on their own and can die.

 

[Squirrelgirl88]

Our pet rats also liked scrambled eggs as a special treat. I also think there is a "Rats for Dummies" book available. Check your library! A local pet store may also be able to give you advice since they usually carry rats and mice.

Good luck with the babies - Rats make great pets, very intelligent, and much nicer than hamsters.