we've got a pet rat now for 2 years.also a full grown cat,they play together day - nite.it's fun to watch.i was told they don't live long.wev'e got so attached to this rat we hate to see him pass on,but we know it's coming...please help
2006-11-05 10:54:55 · 12 answers · asked by hl 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Average life span of 2-3 years usually.
2006-11-05 10:58:33 · answer #1 · answered by cin_ann_43 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2 is older for a pet rat. A lot depends on genetics. Rats breed for feeders (snake food) aren't selectively bred for health, so they may not live as long. Part of the equation also is care: proper diet, bedding, exercise, etc counts for alot.
I have heard of some rats living good lives up to 4+ years, but not every rat will get that old.
Older rats seem to have two enemies: tumors and pneumonia/respiratory infections. If you know what they're at risk for, you'll keep an eye out for these problems and can get help early. Also finding a vet who is *good* with rats (not just a vet who sees rats) makes a big difference.
Good luck!
2006-11-05 15:46:59 · answer #2 · answered by Funchy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lifespan Pet Rat
2017-01-15 05:14:51 · answer #3 · answered by easterly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sadly all pet rats are descended from lab rats, bred for their gentleness, not their lifespan - as a result, they usually only live 2-3 years, although I've heard of some making it longer. They are very cancer-prone.
I had two sisters ratties - not fancy breed, just one tan colored and the other white with a black hood. One died of a uterine prolapse (weird as I'd never bred them, and that was the 2nd time it happened - I couldn't afford another surgery to fix.) She was about 1 and a half. Her sister lived another year, got some very large tumors, and eventually died in her sleep one day.
Still, rats make excellent pets despite their short lifespan - they are definitely my favorite rodent! Why have a small yappy dog when rats are the same size, quieter, and just as friendly, if not more so?
2006-11-05 11:07:00 · answer #4 · answered by psychoduckie25 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i had a rat that lived for 4 years and i had to take it to the vet to get a tumor removed and the vet said she was surprised how old it was. so im guessing they live for about 3 years but if you take real good care of it then it can live for about 4 or 5.
2006-11-05 11:15:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Two to three years is normal although I have had a rat live to 4 but this is exceptional.
2006-11-05 11:02:19 · answer #6 · answered by stienbabe 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a rat that was 3 1/2 when he died of old age.
They do not live very long so cherish them when they are here.
2006-11-05 12:41:34 · answer #7 · answered by msnite1969 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know how you feel. I had four rats that all passed away after only one or two years. They are supposed to live to two or three, I once knew one that lived to four, but mostly they only live to one or two. They would probably live to four or five, but rats are fragile in old age and get sick easily.
2006-11-08 05:28:53 · answer #8 · answered by Emily 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They can live till around 3 to 5 years.
2006-11-05 11:15:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
i have had 3 rats the first one died wen he was two, the secound wen he was 2 1/2 and the third wen he was 5
2006-11-05 13:13:10 · answer #10 · answered by Dev 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋