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What is the right age to buy a baby rat2007-11-24 22:17:38

I hear the petsmart here sells baby rodents, what is the right age of the rodent to take it home? Two weeks right, when they open their eyes? When I get it home, do I treat it like I would an older rat? How do I get it adjusted to it's cage?

Answers:

Two weeks is WAY too early.

They should be atleast 5 weeks...

Stores like PetSmart and PetCo aren't allowed to sell rodents that are younger then 5 weeks old...

They do have some pregnant rodents and they may try to get rid of the pups because they cannot sell them, but they should not leave their mother any sooner than 5 weeks...

When you take it home, leave it in the cage for a few days to get used to everything, then take it out for 15 mins...then let it go back...slowly make the time longer, and you will know when they are used to you.try to give them a treat while they are out of the cage with you, it shows them that being out is a good thing and it will help...

Hope this helps...GOOD LUCK!!

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I would've thought 6 weeks old was about right. You have to separate the males and females at 6 weeks because thats when they're sexually mature. Just leave it quiet in its cage, only visit it for short periods of time and it'll soon come round to you, especially if you bring food!

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ok never buy a rodent from petsmart go to petco the animals from petsmart are abused what you do is you need them when there about 5 weeks so they are not as timid. never treat a rodent like a older rat. they will get again to timid!add the bedding and lightly set him in there and for your first week you have it NEVER touch it talk sing and try to had feed it treats because they can get wet tail where they poop out there intestians and its gross after a week they are ready to go

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Oh yuck! There is no right age!! I would feed it to a hawk or a snake. Have you seen the movie Willard The Rat??

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The best age to buy a rat is 6-8 weeks old. Also, please don't buy from chain petstores. They are not animals to them, but merchandise. Contact rescuers and breeders. It may cost you a little more, but honestly, you'll have a better tempered rat who will likely be more healthy.

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I have seen them for sale as young as 4 weeks, but I think they should be with mama rat for 5 weeks. By 6 weeks the little girls can become pregnant, so don't buy them if they haven't been separated by gender, or you may get more rats than you bargained for. A 6 week old ratlet is still a baby herself. So although it happens sometimes, it's best if they don't.. If you don't have any other rats, it needs a same gender companion. Rats are extremely social, and are lonely for a brother or sister to wrestle with, cuddle up with, and play. Most breeders will not sell just one rat. If you already have rats it is important to quarantine the new ratlet for 2 weeks, or even longer. There are some excellent rattery owners who will tell you more about this. It's so if it should happen to become sick, it won't infect the other rats you have.