breeding house rat

So I was going to buy a breeding pair from a breeder, but saw a lovely female and bought her for my self. She is still too young to breed, and we have gotten rather close.But when she is ready is there any problem with breeding a "pet" rat? I wouldnt imagin too much of a problem, I just wasnt sure if her personality or views towards people would change if she was to breed. More protective, less social, anything of the nature.

im sure you guys know the answer, so please spread ur knowledge. thanks!

The only concern I'd have is that some rats die from their pregnancy or delivery.

If you wait until she's old enough, you'll most likely be fine, but there is some chance you could lose her.

Thats the number one thing I was thinking about. I think I might still just get a pair for breeding, and keep little Miss Twinkles, because I have grown so very fond of her.

They get very nippy if you try touching them with there babies nursing, but besides that I have never seen any long term negative effects of a rat thats been bred.

we have breed are pet rat with no problems a few times and she has had some good kids and went right back to being the loving pet

Make sure she's at least 4 or 5 months old and 250 grams minimum. She should be in good body flesh but not fat (pet rats tend to be way overfed). She should be fine to be bred if you want to do that.

If you do want to keep her purely as a pet, you should think about getting her a female cagemate. Rats, even well handled pet rats, really need a buddy of their own species in their cage with them to be properly socialized. Rats teach each other things like "ouch biting hurts" which helps us, as their owners, to get nipped less.

As far as personality changes, any female animal nursing her young can act protective. That's not a permanent personality change though, that's just the nature of nursing females. I have some female rats here that could care less if I handle their young and others that will give me a nip. I have rats that will nip whether they have babies or not.

I do what your saying. never lost a mommy. my first breeder gave me 5 litter snow she is our pet. hand trained. etc


some of th emoms get a bit nippy when nursing. especially if you surprise them. but once they babies are gone they get better

Also I gope you don't JUSt have a female rat, they do not do very well alone. and keeping her with a male is going to cause stress..

just keep that in mind. at least a pair of each sex would be best for them if you plan to breed.