Rat pup help!

I took home a rat pup today and when I was about to feed it I noticed snake mites on the container and pup itself so nope, not risking mites. So long story short I kind of want to raise the pup up. It's eyes are closed but it's pretty good in size so maybe 11-14 days old. Should I feed it formula at this point or watered down mushy cereal? These rat forms aren't so helpful since they focus on new born rat care. Thanks!

So I've been rubbing his genital area to stimulate him to urinate and defecate and he has been. I got plain cherrios and mashed them in warm water and he's been taking that like crazy. He has little teeth I saw them when he yawned. His eyes should open soon.

Are you sure it's snake mites and not tropical rat mites? The rat mites seem more likely.

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Originally Posted by Rhasputin

Are you sure it's snake mites and not tropical rat mites? The rat mites seem more likely.

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I just do not want to take the chance I have seen snake mutes and they looked the same and it was on the top of the container the rat pup was in and not the pup itself. I ended up trying to feed it twice with no luck. My snake is a Mouser I guess and only takes f/t or live mice without hesitation. He wouldn't even look at the rat he actually rested his head on the rat pup and then went to the other corner on the enclosure.

Human soy formula would be your best bet, the powdered kind. Rats usually open their eyes at around 2wks, until then I would recommend using a small syringe for feedings, once the eyes open you can start giving the formula in a small dish. I usually wait until three weeks and then I soak some rat lab blocks, such as Oxbow, in the formula to soften it up until it is ready to eat the blocks on its own.