My 6-week old rats don't like being picked up. Is this normal?

Is he the only baby rat shivering? At 13-14 days of age rats are usually still nursing their mother with litter mates...rats sometimes shiver if they are scared or nervous. If he is nursing well, the same size as his littermates, active and alert when not nursing, I would remove any possible stressors such as loud noises, other pets, being picked up frequently. In addition providing enrichment in the form of cardboard huts or other opaque hiding spaces, as well as food enrichment may help. If he also appears lethargic, dehydrated etc. I would recommend bringing him in to a veterinarian that sees pocket pets/rodents for an exam.

I would just recommend continuing to work the rats as your are. Giving them special treats every time you interact with them and interacting with them on a regular basis will help them become more used to you. It may take up to 3 months for them to become completely comfortable with you. Don’t worry, you are doing everything right, this just takes time. Rats are usually very interactive and affectionate pets. You will get there soon!

Ideally, you should wait at least two weeks before disturbing the nest. If you must move it, scoop it and the pups up in one piece and relocate them to the larger cage. Be sure to transfer some of the cleaner used bedding as well.

I have had many pet rats and I love them! They are smart and interactive! They do have some health problems though. Upper respiratory issues are very common so you will always want to use a dust free litter like Care Fresh and keep their cage SUPER clean! You also see a lot of cancer which is unfortunate. About 2 years is the average life expectancy. Make sure to get 2 or more rats of all the same sex. Females tend to be more active then males but both are sweet. Females also tend to get along a little better than the males. I approve your decision!

The best thing is to just provide a safe and quiet environment for them until the get more used to their new surroundings. With time, she will become more comfortable. Make sure to also provide a nutritious diet and fresh water to keep her immune system healthy.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Your new pets are so precious! Female rats do tend to be a little smaller than males, but I agree that your girls are a little bit thin. I’m not sure how old they are, as juveniles can be a little smaller. I recommend making sure they have plenty of pelleted food formulated for rats and plenty of water. There are many supplements available in pet stores for rats and mice, some of which can be added to the water or food as well as separate gel type diets. In my experience, rats tend to love Cheerios as treats. You should also keep an eye on their stool to make sure it is consistently formed. I hope this helps!

Hello. Pet rats do not require vaccinations, and there is a wealth of information available on the safe & healthy way to maintain your new pets. The best place to start is the place you plan on purchasing the rats. If this is a bigger store, like a Petco, they will have handouts & books & manuals to purchase. You can call some of the veterinarians in your area to ask if they see rats, as a good exam is important. I will caution you to make sure the rats you decide to buy seem to be healthy. Do not bring home any animals that seem unwell, unkempt, sneezing or have any discolorations around the eyes or nose, a clear sign of an upper respiratory infection. The cages should be clean, the animals active & filled out. Rats do not require a lot, but they are very intelligent creatures & a lot of fun. Good luck & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.