Neutering male rats

Question
Hi Sandra, thank you for supplying the names of 2 rat specialists in the UK. For the time being we're gonna stick to our regional exotic pet vet as he's done good by us for the last few years, but I'm glad that we have a few names should anything turn too serious.

Our one-on-ones with our mum ratties Poppy and Rosie are going well and both girls are slowly making progress. Poppy is still biting on the odd occasion but is learning that when she does she goes back in the cage without treats. Rosie is certainly becoming braver, but neither girl still wants to be stroked or picked up. But that's no matter, for the time being we're happy to go along at whatever pace suits them. We were hoping that the two mums can start playing together again soon and were looking to get some advice on re-introducing them. They've been in separate cages with their litters for just over a week now and have settled well. But now that the babies are 3 weeks old and getting on mums nerves can we put the mums together to play? Will they fight?

Also, having an appointment made with our vet to discuss neutering our male babies, we were hoping to ask your advice about re-introducing the males to the cage after their operation. Although we know that they still need to be kept separate until about 2 weeks after their operation to make sure none of the females falls pregnant, should we integrate them slowly back with the girls (by leaving them have playtimes together) or can they be put straight into the cage once the 2 weeks is up? We just want to make sure there is no fighting or that we don't damage the social make-up of the group.

All the best, and thank you once again for your great advice!

Answer
Hi Sarah

If you let the girls meet outside the cage gradually, they should get along ok, and to be honest, the older the babies are that means the mother rats hormones will start to even out, meaning a more calm attitude.  I always hold one and let the other smell the one i am holding, but since they are not real keen on you handling them let them see each other through the cage bars.  Have you tried putting baby food on your finger and offering to the mother rats.  Once they trust you enough to lick the food from your fingers this means you have earned her trust.

I think once the pups are weaned the mothers will be much more chill about things and that is when you will start to make progress.