I have heard that some breeds or species of rats have a healthier gene pool than the run-of-the-mill pet store rats do. I love rats enmormously but find it difficult have them since I know it's not for very long. Sigh. I once met a girl that had a wild rat as a pet-very healthy animal, but they are illegal to sell in Canada. So, anyone have the down-low on rats?
2007-02-13 11:59:48 · 5 answers · asked by Peg 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
There is a lot to explain about the health of pet rats, the whys and wherefors of it all. Bottom line is that if you are going to have rats as pets, you have to learn to live with their health problems a well.
First, our pets have descended from lab rats, which in turn descended from wild Norway rats, all being Rattus Norvegicus. That is the species of rat commonly kept as pets. There is no such thing as breeds in rats.....yet, just types right now.
Lab rats were bred to get tumors for research purposes, and since our pets are connected by the same genetic material they too can get tumors. There's really no getting away from it. You can try to lessen your chances of getting rats that are prone to tumors by getting your pets from reputable breeders instead of from pet stores, but there is no guarantee of that. No breeder can guarantee tumor-free rats, but they are all trying for this golden future of tumor-free rats
If you've had many rats over the years you may have noticed a pattern with your females, like they start to get tumors after the age of 18 months. At this age their breeding cycle is basically over as their estrogen level starts to drop off. Most tumors are estrogen-related in females. Poorly-bred rats can get tumors as young as a year old.
Average life span of a wild rat is 6 to 8 months, the average lifespan of a pet rat is 2 to 3 years. Wild rats, due to the lack of predation in captivity, can also reach this ripe old age.
Like I said, there is so much to say about rats and tumors, but that's the gist of it as I have to keep my answer short.
Sandra Beasley and the Spaz Rats
(Rattery, Rescue, and Rat-care Expert)
http://spazrats.tripod.com
2007-02-13 20:49:41 · answer #1 · answered by spazrats 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I once read where scientists experimented with dressing rats in leisure suits (those polyester things from the 1980s) and they all died of cancer - concluding leisure suits cause cancer. It was a spoof of course but pointed out the fact that rats are prone to cancer and will eventually get it whether we feed them artificial sweeteners or good food. Just as a FYI I find that my run of the mill mutt dogs are much healthier than any of the pure breeds that friends have. Is it the in breeding I wonder?
2007-02-13 12:11:49 · answer #2 · answered by justwondering 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you've got them eliminate in the event that they are small. they are maximum probable benign and could be high-quality if bumped off now. the challenge is many people who "specialize" in rat care are very high priced. In miami florida that's around ninety money. maximum vets love animals nonetheless and could do it for greater much less high priced in case you won't be in a position to arise with the money for it. it will be particularly annoying yet no longer quite so. This technique would do far greater sturdy than harm. they'd stay to be 5 or 6, so that's certainly well worth it. desire I helped I truthfully have 3 rat women Sugar, sprint and Pepper. P.S. the flamboyant rat is unquestionably the comparable genetic stress via fact the "lab rat" whether it does not get tumors via fact of that. additionally tumors impact women way greater beneficial than men.
2016-10-02 02:36:13 · answer #3 · answered by empfield 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It makes no difference where you get your rats from; they are all susceptable to one tumour or another. The thing is to keep them away from what causes them the health problems in the first place.
There are many great web sites out there with health and diet information that will help you keep your pets healthy, happy and living a long time.
A few links are below.
2007-02-13 13:32:18 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i dont know to much about rats, but i am learning. i have 2 females. i got them from petco. so far they are healthy. they are about 4 months old now. i do know that female are more prone to mammary cancer than males.
2007-02-13 12:43:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋