Why can't they see?

[Anna Allison]

I've read a few books and a few things in the internet about rats and took notes, trying to be a good rat mom. Tonight while going over my notes I seen that baby rats open their eyes at about 10 days old. Well, Sweet Pea's 14 days old babies have not opened their eyes yet. They are growing like crazy and have a good slick and shiny coat. But their eyes are still closed. Is there cause to be alarmed? Or are my notes on this wrong (please tell me this is so).

 

[Damnion]

They should open their eyes after 2 weeks. Give them another day or 2 and their eyes will be open and they'll start exploring the cage.

 

[lilspaz68]

There's a range of when eyes open, from 12 days to as long as 17 days for stragglers. Often depends on age of mom, size of little etc. As long as they are healthy and growing they should be fine. I've never had one of my rescue litters start opening their eyes at 10 days though.

 

[Anna Allison]

Thanks so much. Guess we will wait and see.

 

[SQ]

As others said, babies do not always open their eyes at 10 days. I have had rescue babies that opened their eyes at 9 days, 10 days, or later …. regardless of when they ment developmental milestones, they grew up healthy

 

[Anna Allison]

When I woke up today and went to feed mom I picked up a baby and it's eyes were opened. (So it took them 16 days.) Later in the day I went to go check on them and they were out and about exploring their nursery, it was so cute. This evening I took mom and half of the babies (the solid ones) out to play, they were so adorable. Tomorrow will be the hooded ones turn out in the play pen. I'm really enjoying this.

 

[Damnion]

Just don't forget to seperate males and females at 5 weeks.

 

[lilspaz68]

And if you want to make weaning the least stressful. Leave the boys in the maternity cage and move Mom and her girls to a new cage, they get Mom but the boys keep the familiarity of their cage.

 

[Anna Allison]

Will do. Thanks .

 

[SQ]

And if you want to make weaning the least stressful. Leave the boys in the maternity cage and move Mom and her girls to a new cage, they get Mom but the boys keep the familiarity of their cage.

Good idea for when the baby boys have to be separated at 5 weeks!