Whether your pet rat has just given birth or you find a stray baby rat, it can be very difficult to care for a tiny, fragile baby rat. Baby rats need to be well cared for for a few hours after birth to survive, so you should be alert if you come across an abandoned baby rat.
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Part 1 of 3: Helping Mother Rats Take Care of Her Babies
Step 1. Pay close attention to whether the mother rat has any signs of aggression or indifference towards the babies
If the baby mice you care for have mothers, they will keep the babies alive. However, the female rat sometimes ignores her cubs, ignores one of them, and may even eat them.
- If the mother stops feeding her babies, or she eats one of the babies, move the mother mouse to a separate cage.
- If the mother is aggressive or doesn't care for her babies, you will have to feed and care for the babies yourself.
Step 2. Find a foster mother if the baby rat has no parents
If you know where to find a nursing mother, she will probably take care of the baby mice like her own. This method is the best option psychologically and physically for baby rats but this method is not always possible, especially if the baby rats are over 1.5 weeks old.
- Quickly find a foster mother at a pet store or rat breed.
- Rub the baby rat with the bedding taken from his new sibling's cage to make him smell his new mother.
- Place the baby mice in the cage of the adoptive mother.
- Watch for signs of aggression, excessive squeaking, or neglect.
Step 3. Watch out for signs of diarrhea and dehydration in rat pups
Even if the biological mother or adoptive mother has taken care of the babies, diarrhea and dehydration are common problems when raising a mouse. Dehydration occurs along with diarrhea and can kill baby mice if not treated immediately.
- Swollen abdomen, lethargy, and yellowish discharge from the anus are symptoms of diarrhea.
- Replace mother rat milk or formula with an electrolyte solution for human babies.
- Take the baby rat to the vet to make sure it's in good health.
Part 2 of 3: Feeding Baby Rats
Step 1. Prepare formula milk to feed the pups
Local pet stores stock a wide selection of formulas, such as Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR) or Esbilac, which can be used to feed baby mice. Human formulas that do not contain iron such as Enfamil and Soyalac can also be used. Pure raw goat's milk can also provide nutrition to baby mice.
- Warm a little formula before feeding the pups; do not use hot or cold formula.
- Powdered formula milk must be mixed with water according to the instructions on the package.
Step 2. Use a small syringe, small feeding bottle, or liquid absorbent thread to feed the baby mice
You can also use a bottle of eye drops. If you are using a syringe or bottle, suck the liquid into the syringe or bottle to prepare to feed the baby mice. If you are using floss, dip the floss in the formula solution until it is wet and dripping.
Step 3. Drop a small amount of milk into the baby mouse's mouth
Do not squeeze the injection or bottle too hard. If you notice fluid coming out of the kitten's nose, stop feeding it. When the pups are full and their stomachs bulge, they don't need any more food.
Step 4. Feed the pups as often as possible
Mice 0-1 week old should be fed 6-8 times a day; rats 1-2 weeks old should be fed 5-6 times; mice 2-3 weeks old should be fed 4 times a day; and 4 week old mice only need to be fed 3 times a day. Give him a break of a few hours each time you feed him. You should also feed the pups at night.
Step 5. Stimulate baby rats after eating so they can defecate
Use a cotton swab or your finger, and gently rub the baby rat's genitals. There will be a small amount of fluid coming out, but if the baby rat is dehydrated, no fluid will come out. Keep rubbing until no more liquid comes out.
Step 6. Wean baby mice after three or four weeks of age
For a few days after weaning, provide a small amount of moistened mouse food to wean the pups; Drop some water on the mouse food to prepare it, then place it in an easily accessible area.
- Soon, the kittens will be enjoying the mushy food.
- When the pups seem stronger, try feeding them regular mouse food.
Step 7. Provide healthy food and clean water while the baby mice are weaning
Pet stores sell food for rodents, usually in the form of pills or small blocks. Choose a formula that contains 16% protein, 18% fiber and less than 4% fat to raise healthy mice.
- You no longer need to wet mouse food.
- You can provide apples, bananas, broccoli, and other treats, but remember that mice have small stomachs and shouldn't eat too much.
- Rats usually drink 3-7 ml of water per day. Hang small pet water bottles in the cage, and always make sure the bottles are full.
- Previously, rats got their water from the food they consumed, but now, the food given is dry food, so a water bottle is essential.
Part 3 of 3: Providing a Suitable Environment
Step 1. Prepare a cage with an area of about 30 cubic cm per head
The size of the cage is indeed necessary for baby rats even though they are not yet fully grown. Your local pet store may have a variety of cages to choose from, but make sure you buy one that's large enough.
Step 2. Choose a livable cage
The rat cage should have no openings that would allow it to escape and should have a solid base (without any wires). Plastic cages often break down after cleaning, so choose a cage made of metal or glass, or an aquarium that will last even if cleaned regularly.
- Mice love to bite things, so choose a cage that has no protruding parts and wires that the rat can bite on.
- Provide hiding places for mice, such as small boxes or cardboard tubes.
- Using a cardboard box to house a baby rat is only a temporary option, as the rat will learn to bite the cardboard box and run away.
Step 3. Provide clean bedding in the cage
Wood dust or recycled paper can be used as bedding. Avoid cedar and pine sawdust. Clean immediately if the bedding looks dirty (can be done twice a day), and do the germ and pest control in the cage every three or four weeks.
Step 4. Keep the cage temperature between 24°C and 32°C
This can keep the baby mice warm and comfortable. Use the heating you have and air conditioning to keep the cage temperature.
Tips
- Show your love and care for the baby rat by lifting it slowly. Don't squeeze it!
- Remove dead baby rats from the cage because the carcasses of the rats could be infected or contracted by infectious diseases.
- Take the baby mice to the vet as soon as possible for a checkup.
