Signs That a Female Rat Is Pregnant

Breeding your pet rat for the first time can be an exciting and fun time. Female rats go into heat every four to five days and generally give birth 21 to 23 days after becoming pregnant. But wondering if your rat is pregnant during the first couple of weeks can be a bit nerve-wracking. Luckily, there are some signs that will help you determine if your female rat is getting ready to have babies.

  1. Weight Gain

    • If you know in advance that you̵7;re planning to breed your rats, start getting them used to being weighed on a daily basis. Generally, when a female becomes pregnant, she will begin to gain weight within about 24 hours. As the pregnancy progresses, so will her weight. In fact, keeping track of your female̵7;s weight is a good way to tell if the pregnancy is going to succeed or fail.

    No Estrous Cycle

    • Most female rats exhibit obvious signs of going into heat every four to five days. She shows extreme interest in the male rat̵7;s scent, her back will arch when her rump is tickled and her ears will wiggle while she does a little jumpy ̶0;dance.̶1; So when the female stops going into heat it is a good indication she̵7;s pregnant.

    Visible Changes

    • As the pregnancy enters its Second week, the female will begin to look bigger around her stomach and waist area. Closer to the end of the pregnancy she will look very big and round; there will be no doubt she̵7;s pregnant by this time. She will also begin losing hair around her nipples as the impending birth approaches.

    Behavior Changes

    • Besides losing her in-heat behavior, pregnant females may also exhibit other behaviors. Her appetite will increase, she may become more aggressive toward her cage mates or the owner, and she may sleep more often than usual. Very close to birthing time she should begin to make a nest for the babies as well.