When do I need to rehome my pet rats? How do I rehome my pet rats?

Question

We have 2 male rats, about 2.5 years old, that we need to rehome. They are very sweet and don't bite. We don't have time to give them the life they deserve anymore because of our work schedules and curious new kitten We rarely ever play with them and they spend most of the time in their cage locked up now (we used to be able to let them run around). But they are geriatric rats, so I don't know if rehoming them this late in the game would scare them during their leg of life. We want what is best for them! Any advice???

Answer 1

ok in the first place i wouldve waited 6 months till you got the kitten (i think thats how long the rats are going to live) but since it is a kitten it will only kill a rat when its at least 1 year old by that time the rats would already be dead since the only live for as long as 3 years, i have a rat and i used to have a kitten when i had the rat so they became friends and never attacked each other just let them meet when its a kitten not when its a cat. just put the rats cage in an inaccesible place were the cat cant go like in a closed room and rats really only need at least 45 min of playtime aka human interaction so it obviously it fits youre schedule ! have the rat sit in youre lap and pet it while youre watching tv ,they are laid back when their old so its good for them cause they enjoy it and basically they sleep all day and they have each other as company and just put them in a closed room to roam around in .well good luck dont give them away ! what i told you is what is best for them.

Answer 2

Unless you know someone who your rats are already acquainted with who will care for them, please consider keeping the old guys. Is there any way you could re-think your schedules to spend @ least a few minutes with them a couple of times a day? I'm assuming that they are together, so they have each other's companionship & considering their age they may be sleeping or resting a lot more.
There are so many little guys who need homes & although there may be a small animal rescue in your area, chances are they don't have much room. If you do rehome them, please screen their new family carefully-- not many persons are looking for senior rats to keep as companions.