Advice on breeding rats

Hi there, I really want to breed my rat but I've never done it before and was wondering if I could get some advice. I have a 6 month old dumbo eared male rat and I need to know how old they have to be to breed as I'm not to sure. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hey Jack,
Welcome to the rat shack! It's great to hear that you're interested in the wonderful world of rats, and you've come to the most caring and helpful community there is.

Unfortunately, I have to really advise you against breeding your rats. There are just way too many that need good homes, why add more? Also, complications during pregnancy/breeding are common... do you have hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars saved up to spend on emergency surgery and vet care?
I don't think any of us on the rat shack will help you in any way when it comes to breeding-related information, because we are all very, very against it. Please, love rats by adopting those that are homeless and neglected- don't bring more into the world.

In addition to what Aida said, unknown genetics with rats can really be a disaster. Your rat may be cute and friendly but in no way does it mean his offspring will. In fact your rat could be carrying genes for genetic aggression (he's too young to show overt signs yet), genetic propensity for tumours, cancer, respiratory issues, weak immune system etc. It's why good breeders know their lines inside and out, and even then nasty surprises can show up in future generations. Rat Shack is a rescue-oriented forum and we can help you with temperament, care and health issues but will try to dissuade you from breeding more rats.

Aida said:

Hey Jack,
Welcome to the rat shack! It's great to hear that you're interested in the wonderful world of rats, and you've come to the most caring and helpful community there is.

Unfortunately, I have to really advise you against breeding your rats. There are just way too many that need good homes, why add more? Also, complications during pregnancy/breeding are common... do you have hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars saved up to spend on emergency surgery and vet care?
I don't think any of us on the rat shack will help you in any way when it comes to breeding-related information, because we are all very, very against it. Please, love rats by adopting those that are homeless and neglected- don't bring more into the world.

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I'm from the uk and there isn't anywhere to adopt rats... People class them as vermin which is horrible. I have had rats as pets my whole life. So I do know how to deal with them i.e training etc. I would just like more rats for my own satisfaction. So I could give them the best life possible. But thank you anyway for the help.

I'm from the uk and there isn't anywhere to adopt rats... People class them as vermin which is horrible. I have had rats as pets my whole life. So I do know how to deal with them i.e training etc. I would just like more rats for my own satisfaction. So I could give them the best life possible. But thank you anyway for the help.

I don't want to sound rude either but why do you dissuade from breeding rats?

Don't worry, it's not rude to ask!

Breeding is just very risky. As lilspaz said, without knowing the entire lineage of your pets, as in their genetics going back multiple generations(what are your dumbo's parents like? his grandparents? great grandparents? do you know of his siblings?), you can really be getting yourself into a lot of trouble. There are a lot of very terrible, genetic problems with rats- such as megacolon found in high white genetics, or cancers, tumors, respiratory issues, and more.

I know you want to give your rats the best life possible, but, what if you breed a litter of rats that are all high white and all develop megacolon, which is a terrible, but common, disorder that results in weeks of prolonged suffering and eventually death?
Furthermore, if rats are not common where you live, then surely veterinarians in your area are not knowledgeable about them. What happens if your pregnant female has a problem during birth, and needs emergency surgery at 3am to remove a stuck pup or litter? If she doesn't get that vet care, both she an all 5 or 10 or 15 of her babies will die. Is that really the "best life possible?"

What if your rat has 10 or 15 babies? There is no saying you will be able to adopt out all or even some of them. Can you provide food, shelter, care, and medical care for 17 or more animals? Keep in mind, the typical vet visit for a rat, which is considered exotic, is around $75+supplies, medicine, surgery, any treatment, any procedure, etc.

Additionally, there are rats all over the world that need new homes, even, yes, in the UK. Here is a link to our forum for international rescues or rats needing home. Have a scroll through, and see that almost every other listing is for rats in the UK:http://www.ratshackforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=21



Please do not think that with this post I am attacking you, or not trusting your knowledge or intention with these pets. On the rat shack, no one breeds rats, because those points apply to everyone.

Jack, just from the first page of a quick google search, I've found all of these rescues in the UK that have rats which desperately need new homes:

http://www.kerneweklowenrats.webs.com/
http://www.freewebs.com/rattyrescue/
http://starfishratrescue.webs.com/
http://www.woodsidesanctuary.org.uk/
http://www.rspcacornwall.org.uk/
http://gawa.org.uk/rehoming/small-pets/
http://somershirehamsterrescue.vpweb.co.uk/
http://www.findafurry.co.uk/
http://www.nottsnibblersrescue.co.uk/
http://heswilmslow.co.uk/staff-group/smallies-animals-for-adoption/
http://www.woodgreen.org.uk/rehome/small_animals
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/rehome/rat


How can you say that there are not enough rats in the UK, when so many need owners already? By breeding, you will only be adding to the abuse and neglect.

jack_williams said:

I'm from the uk and there isn't anywhere to adopt rats... People class them as vermin which is horrible. I have had rats as pets my whole life. So I do know how to deal with them i.e training etc. I would just like more rats for my own satisfaction. So I could give them the best life possible. But thank you anyway for the help.

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Hi there, I'm from the UK too and I always rescue. All you need to do is google rat rescues or small animal rescue. There are so many rats out there needing a forever home. Please don't breed. There are just too many that need a home.

Oh thanks anyways

In addition to what has already been written, average litter size is 12 to 14 babies, with rats being able to have up to 26 babies in a litter.
Make sure you are able to care for that many rats for their entire lives, as well as all of their medical needs, including neutering and spaying them - important for health reasons.
Also because having intact rats of the opposite sex in the same household is an accident waiting to happen. Rats are very smart and when girls are in heat (every 3 to 4 days) rats are very very motivated .... and humans are not perfect all the time.

Many of us have rescued pregnant rats and I can assure you that it is very expensive to care for mom and babies properly.

If something goes wrong and mom dies are you prepared to hand raise all the babies .... this means syringe feeding every 3 hours so no sleep for awhile, etc

Please rescue, don't breed ........... there are too many risks involved and so many rats in need of good homes
If you want the experience of raising babies and can afford the expense, rescue a pregnant rat, or foster for a shelter or a rat rescue

Will people bring the rescue rat to me though? As I have anxiety that doesn't allow me to travel more than 30 miles away from my home

jack_williams said:

Will people bring the rescue rat to me though? As I have anxiety that doesn't allow me to travel more than 30 miles away from my home

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Jack, if that is the case, how can you drive your rats to the veterinarian if something goes wrong?

No, rescues most likely will not bring you a pet, along with all the other finances and time they spend on caring for those that are thrown away by careless breeders. Please, reconsider your decision, because it is not a good one for the animals.

Because there a 3 vets around me that's why. I don't understand why everyone is feeling the need to dig into me. I was just asking a question for some friendly advice. But all I've had back is abuse. I take perfectly good care of all of my animals. Their well being comes before my own! Ta!

jack_williams said:

Because there a 3 vets around me that's why. I don't understand why everyone is feeling the need to dig into me. I was just asking a question for some friendly advice. But all I've had back is abuse. I take perfectly good care of all of my animals. Their well being comes before my own! Ta!

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We're not digging into you.
We're just trying to advise you against a bad decision.

jack_williams said:

Because there a 3 vets around me that's why. I don't understand why everyone is feeling the need to dig into me. I was just asking a question for some friendly advice. But all I've had back is abuse. I take perfectly good care of all of my animals. Their well being comes before my own! Ta!

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This is a rescue based website some of us have 100's of rats that need homes. We would in no way recommend or talk about breeding here. It isnt personal but there are far to many rats that need homes to even consider breeding. You should look into rescuing rather than breed. Be a part of the solution not he problem.

As for a rescue bringing a rat to you, that is something you would need to discuss with them.
Rescues screen people and do home visits so it might be possible.

Thank you all

jack_williams said:

Will people bring the rescue rat to me though? As I have anxiety that doesn't allow me to travel more than 30 miles away from my home

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I would ask, I've been able to make arrangements to have my rescues delivered to me, either by the rescue or a friend.
Good luck!