How Often Rats Give Birth
WouterRats give birth without assistance in most cases, but the first time moms may need assistance, or a Caesarean section. Rats may die during the delivery, so it is important to check for symptoms early on. Some rats may also be stressed, and may even kill the baby. This is rare, but it can occur. If you notice a stressed mother, you can remove her baby and reintroduce it later when she is less stressed.
Pregnant rats may give birth up to six times per litter. The gestation period in rats is normally around 22 days, though this can vary from 21 to 26 days. After giving birth, the postpartum period is approximately 28 days. About two weeks into pregnancy, the mother rat will begin to expand and you might even be able to see or feel the pups moving in the mother’s belly. In addition, the mammary glands will begin to enlarge.
Rats reach sexual maturity between six and ten weeks of age. Ideally, females should be housed separately. It is important to understand how often rats give birth to prevent unwanted litters. Females will begin to produce a litter between 22 and 24 days after giving birth, so it is important to separate the two sexes and keep them separate. The females are able to detect pregnancy at two weeks old, and will also begin building a nest. Tissue paper is a good material to use in nests.
The newborn rats are relatively small at birth, weighing less than one ounce. At day fourteen, they will be able to respond to sounds and open their eyes. After two weeks, the baby rats will begin eating solid foods, and will usually follow the mother to the food dish. There is no special diet for baby rats, and they do not need to be bottle fed.
