How many times a day should you feed a baby rat? - briefly
Newborn rats need to be fed every 4–6 hours, roughly four times a day; after the first week the interval can be extended to 6–8 hours, lowering feedings to about three times daily.
How many times a day should you feed a baby rat? - in detail
Feeding juvenile rats requires adjusting both the number of feedings and the quantity of food as the pups develop.
Newborn pups (0–7 days) depend entirely on the mother’s milk; if hand‑rearing, provide a specialized kitten or rodent formula every 2–3 hours, including overnight. Each feeding should deliver 2–3 ml per 10 g of body weight, administered with a syringe or pipette.
At 7–14 days the digestive system begins to handle solid foods. Offer a mixture of formula and soft, moist chow 4–5 times daily. Provide 4–5 ml of formula per feeding, supplemented with a teaspoon of softened rodent pellets or mashed boiled egg.
From 14–21 days the pups can consume more solid food. Reduce formula to 2–3 feedings per day and increase fresh, moistened pellets to 2–3 g per feeding. Ensure water is available in a shallow dish.
Weaning completes around 21–28 days. Transition to three meals a day of dry rodent chow, supplemented with fresh vegetables (e.g., carrot, cucumber) and occasional protein (hard‑boiled egg, mealworms). Provide continuous access to clean water.
Key points for successful feeding:
- Maintain a consistent schedule; irregular intervals can cause stress and digestive upset.
- Monitor weight daily; a gain of 1–2 g per day indicates adequate nutrition.
- Observe stool consistency; loose or watery feces suggest over‑feeding or formula intolerance.
- Keep feeding equipment sterilized to prevent infection.
By following this progression—frequent, small feedings in the first week, gradually decreasing frequency while increasing solid food—you ensure healthy growth and development of baby rats.