We have 2 white rats 3yrs old they get too many snacks and too little excercise...im embarassed to say..whiskers is healthier, leaner and more energetic and Baby is lazier and heaftier and now he's dragging his back legs...he can walk but he isnt as zippy as he used to be can anyone tell me whats goin on?
2006-10-19 14:35:55 · 11 answers · asked by Amy V 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
You might want to find out what is a typical life span of a rat. He may be just getting old. Small animals tend to have shorter life spans.
2006-10-19 14:37:48 · answer #1 · answered by Snowflake 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The average life span of rats is about 3 years. it is a good sign that yours are still alive and active!
The dragging is probably the result of a stroke in Baby- a very common problem in older rats. It MIGHT get better over time, but usually not. You need to make sure that Baby can get to every part of the cage it needs to get to- water, food, shelter, etc. Make it's last time comfortable.
Sadly, most rats will not live long past this point- days or a couple months are common- however, with a little TLC and help, it can still enjoy its last days and possibly go on quite a while more.
On the plus side- this sort of thing does not seem to affect animals as tragically as it affects humans- rats with strokes seem to enjoy what they can do as much as they ever did and do not usually seem to experience pain.
If yours DOES seem to be in pain, you may want to think about havng it put out of its misery.
2006-10-20 08:47:15 · answer #2 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unless he is so overweight that his legs no longer touch the ground (which is, sadly, possible) there is something else wrong with him. Rats are particularly susceptible to brain tumors and strokes which affect their motor functions in all kinds of ways, but that is only the most common problem! You really should take him to the vet, and ask specifially about these problems so they know you know what you're talking about. If you can't afford a vet then just feed him only low-fat high-protein foods like vegetables and fruits. See if he gets better after losing the weight, then you'll know for sure.
2006-10-19 15:40:44 · answer #3 · answered by Nénuphar 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Baby could have had a stroke. His is an old rattie! I had one named Pikachu who had a stroke at 2.5 yrs. He loss use of his back legs and I had to have him euthanized. May be arthritic but chances are he is just declining, after all he is a senior citizen in rattie terms! Good luck! Treat him gently and make sure he eats and drinks and poops. He may just pass away suddenly but he has had a long life. I know it is not much consolation because he is a beloved pet. Love that boy real good!
2006-10-20 11:39:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rats dont usually live past 3 yrs...I have 8 of them...Females develop cancer really easy and I have had to have 2 put to sleep due to tumors growing on them...He has probably had a good life ....He just has grown old and weary...Make his last days good ones...
2006-10-19 15:35:30 · answer #5 · answered by ladybug31 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This hamster has had a sturdy run *no pun meant.* undesirable undertaking in all probability has moist tail and could no longer stay to tell the story. prepare your daughter. there is not any longer something that may rather be carried out. On wide-unfold hamsters purely stay a pair of years.
2016-10-02 11:47:36 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As your rat gets older, you should feed him less, because he is less active. Give him more vegetables and less treats and protein food. His weight should decrese if you're feeing him the right amount of food.
I love rats, they're so cute, I have four.
2006-10-19 15:25:43 · answer #7 · answered by Heather 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A 3 year old rat huh...I've got the perfect solution...
take it to detroit, where the rat will fulfill its destiny of becoming a coney island hot dog filling!
2006-10-19 14:43:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
awwwww you have a rat ,i luv rats they r so cuite
to answer your question they are just getting older and mor lazzy
2006-10-19 14:38:52 · answer #9 · answered by nicole 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can imagine he would do that if he's overweight. Get him an exercise wheel and/or don't let him have so much to eat.
2006-10-19 14:38:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋