squeaking

Question
QUESTION: I recently bought 2 female rats and one of them is much shyer than the other and hides a lot. She will come out and sniff my hand take food from me and steps on me in the cage. She's never bitten me but doesnt much like me picking her up and sqeaks loudly if i do. Once shes out she has fun and likes cuddling up to me and crawling on me but even then if i try to pick her up then she squeaks. (i pick her up by scooping her up in my hands putting one hand around her waist) i am worried i might be hurting her but i dont seem to be?? She has also gained a lot of weight- it seems to be more than the other doe- and i am concerned she may be pregnant her nipples are also more visible than the other doe. Also the two does seem to fight quite a lot though don't cause any injury and I'm not sure if this is normal/how to stop it before they do hurt one another. They stop if i make a loud noise but wondered if there was any long term solution or if this is maybe just an adolescent phase?? Any help would be much appreciated. Also is it a good idea to take them to the vets just to get them checked over as i have ony had them a couple of weeks.

ANSWER: Were the rats kept with males?  Usually gestation is 21 to 23 days and about a week before birth the rat will take on a pear shaped abdomen and fur will fall out around their nipples, preparing them for the new ratlets to be able to suckle easily.  She may be a bit more aggressive and may even nip, perhaps even bite you. She may also nest frantically more than usual.  If you see these signs let me know.

How old are the rats?  

The fighting is usually in fun, believe it or not, and does usually subside as they get a bit older and go through puberty. This occurs around 6 months and older.  She may be more vocal than the other rat and is just protesting you picking her up with squeaking.

As for the vet, it wont hurt to bring them in for an over all exam and perhaps bring in a stool sample to check for worms etc...

Let me know your location and I will gladly give you a few names of vets to see that care for rats.

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rat cage   QUESTION: ok, so she was pregnant and has just given birth! Can you give me tips on what i need to do next?? She is still in a cage with my other doe and i read that she may be ok to share as long as she doesnt get overly aggressive. The other doe has so far shown no interest whatsoever in the babies. Their cage has a deep plastic part is this appropriate or will i need to get something else for them? I have attached a pic of the cage

Answer
Oh boy......how many babies did she have?

You will need to handle them daily, she wont mind, she wont hurt them after you handle them like some other animals do. In fact if you do not handle them they will not be socialized and will fear humans like a wild rat does. You need to make sure they are being fed good. You can hold each pup and check their bellies.  You should be able to see a white band of milk through their transparent skin. this is the  milk they are getting from mom and shows us that she is indeed doing her job.
Make sure the pups are kept warm. Provide her with shredded up tee shirts or fleece but NOT towels, paper towels or toilet tissue because the tissues, when wet, can suffocate the pups by getting stuck on their faces, and the towels can leave threads that get wrapped around tiny limbs and will cut off circulation.  Only fleece or tee shirt material will do for now.   You will need another cage anyhow since that cage is pretty small and wont do for more than two adult rats.  The males need to be out of that cage by 4.5 weeks of age.  You need to decide if your keeping them or if you are going to find homes for them.  This is the hard part.

Anyhow, as for feeding mom, make sure she has plenty of good foods to eat during lactation. Soy milk or infants soy formula, scrambled eggs, no heavy fats or sodium or high proteins though.  

Here is a great guide to learn all about new baby rats and to see photos of their growth  as they get older plus a guide to caring for both mom and babies.  

http://ratguide.com/breeding/