My Rat is getting Old. What's her lifespan? What will make her comfortable?

Question

Tippy is almost four years old now. Definitely slower and eating less. What is the lifespan of a rat? I had her since she was a ritten and love her dearly - she is a real character. But she is losing balance, and is less inclined to come out an play. She seems cold and shivery sometimes - I give her lots of bedding and keep her out of drafts, but still..

Thanks all fellow rat lovers :x

Answer 1

4 is doing really well for a rat!

I got my second rat when she was only a couple of months old, and she only lived until she was 2 1/2. But that's partly because we had to have her put to sleep - she developed spinal menengitis. [I've had 2, but I don't know how old my first one was when I got her, as she was a rescue rat who'd been originally destined for snake food].

So long as your rat doesn't seem to be in any major pain or discomfort I think you're doing great. She's a real old lady, now, and keeping her warm is a plus indeed. You might want to consider a heat lamp, but be sure it's not too close to her cage, or one of those heat rocks sold for lizards [though I'd check with a vet or a knowledgeble pet store person on that, it might be too warm for her]. If she's loosing balance you might want to consider a cage that doesn't have bars on the floors. One of the problems my rat had when she got the menengitis was getting her foot caught between bars. If nothing else some scrap carpet on most of the floor area might work, though cleaning the cage becomes harder because of it.

I think the longest life span I've ever heard of for a rat was 6-8 years, it helps if you control her diet. Again, talk to a vet who is good with small animal work for further suggestions. Many more years of happy scurrying are wished to you both.

Answer 2

The average life span for a rat is 2-3 years. Some petstores give a lifespan of 3-5 years-- this is incorrect. If your rat is almost four, you are one of the lucky few. My current rat is a little over two, and already he is slowing down.

A lot of rats when they're older develop hind leg degeneration, where they gradually lose control of their back legs. This could be causing Tippy's balance problems. Alternately, balance problems can be caused by an inner ear infection, which can be treated by a vet. Either way, you'll want to make her living enviroment safe for her. Take out any levels you might have in her cage, and make sure the floor is covered and not bare wire. She might have difficulty going up on her hind legs, so if you use a water bottle, make sure it's low enough that she can drink while on all fours. Also you might want to use a shallow food dish, as she might be having problems accessing one with a tall lip.

Fleece hammocks and snuggle sacks are great for keeping rats warm and they're easy to make. You can find instructions on this website here:

http://www.rattycorner.com/funstuff/hammocks.shtml

Also, this page gives ideas for keeping rats warm:
http://www.dapper.com.au/articles.htm#warm

Best of luck with your aging rat!

Answer 3

First, I gotta say...my husband and that i call our Rottweiler Fluffenstein as a nickname each and every of the time. thought that became a humorous coincidence. Our rat had a tumor with reference to the dimensions you're speaking approximately, maybe bigger, and he lived 7-9 mos. after it enhanced. there is not lots experience in surgical technique, it is high priced and each now and then there's a 50/50 danger the puppy will die besides. Our rat's tumor became interior the armpit section, genuine the place it ought to get fed by using his circulatory gadget. To do surgical technique could have positioned him into ask your self from loss of blood. The vet predicted a million/3 of his blood grant became getting used in and around that tumor. besides, if he's in any different case favourite (can nevertheless flow around, eats & drinks frequently) you're able to as properly permit him stay out his existence, in spite of if long it is. in simple terms supply him particular treats like dried banana chips and yogurt dips treats and refer to him lots. Sorry to take heed to approximately your rat. Bummer. yet, in simple terms so which you're conscious, rats are exceedingly companies to tumors. i did not understand till we took ours to the vet and he instructed us so. Oh yeah - and you're in no way too previous to cry over a puppy. Me & my husband the two cried over any of our rats that have died. it is a tragic element to bypass by using!

Answer 4

I have had a male who was a wonderful traveling companion and he lived for almost 6 years. He was a professional escape artist and was caught by my friends dog. :( I miss him... And my female caught pnemonia just after a year. I have been told that rats (depending on where you get them) live from 2-5 years. So ya never really know. As long as you love your baby girl then that is as comfortable as she needs to be...You are right to keep bedding fresh and ofcourse they love socks ya know...My prayers are with you both.

Answer 5

Most rats start to become senile at about 3-4 years and seldom reach five years of age. They become rather dumpy and lethargic. However, if it happens that it lies down, and shows little interest, take it to a vet for humane euthanasia...it is too far gone to help.

Answer 6

yep shes about there. poor old gal, its the most you can do, keep her warm and comfy and just love her while shes here, i had mice and hamsters, i know how it feels to lose them, sorry.

Answer 7

That's so cute.