ive had my rat since nov,22 of last year please help i really need to know how long she will live?
2007-10-14 12:59:50 · 13 answers · asked by kendal w 1 in Pets ➔ Rodents
as most people have already said, the average life span of domestic rats is 2-3 years.
That said, it's an average and there are examples of rats living shorter lives and longer lives.
Just like any living thing, the healthier it is....the chances are higher it will live longer.
2007-10-14 15:35:54 · answer #1 · answered by Zoo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most rats do not die of old age, and are extremely exposed to sickness no matter what. A fancy rat is expected to live from two to five years. However, around those two years, sickness like a tumor can get to a rat first.
Be sure to check your rats for 'bumps' on or around their stomachs and lower daily. If you do see any "bumps" be sure to take the rat to the vet. A quick surgery and some stitches will fix the rat up right away, and save his/her life from the small tumor.
2007-10-14 19:46:12 · answer #2 · answered by Doc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have pet rats myself, know several people who have had rats, and I worked at Petco for several years. Any chance I got I would flip through the rat books to learn more.
Almost every reference I've come across says 2 to 5 years. The longest I've actually heard a rat living is 4.5 years. All my friends' lived to be 2 or 3.
Some people believe soy can extend a rat's lifespan, but I don't have any evidence to back that up.
2007-10-14 15:39:26 · answer #3 · answered by silvermystic519 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rats average life is 2 1/2 years though I've had one live to be 5yrs so as long as your rat does not get cancer tumor then a long life is possible
2007-10-14 13:54:22 · answer #4 · answered by niccinz76 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Although many rats can live over or under their life span, the average is 2 to 3 years.
2007-10-14 15:08:29 · answer #5 · answered by Jacqueline . 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although rats can live longer, the average lifespan of the fancy rat is just 2 years.
Please see the link below for a summary of the results of a large survey from a rat community.
2007-10-14 21:49:27 · answer #6 · answered by Thedafftone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in most cases a rat will only live a couple of years 2-3 but have known people whose rats have lived longer 5
2007-10-14 14:06:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A fancy rat from a pet shop can live up to 4+ yrs, if extremely healthy. I've personally never had one who lived past 2 yrs 4 months, but most of mine fell victim to tumors or other health conditions that were impossible to prevent.
2007-10-14 13:12:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the average is about 2 /12 years with 3 years being a pretty darn long life! Good luck with your friend- rats are the best pets!
2007-10-14 14:03:47 · answer #9 · answered by nanny411 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Average life for a fancy rat would be about 3 years.
My last two, Carter and Boyd, were 3 and 3 and a half respectively when they passed. Carter had a brain tumor and Boyd slowly died after Carter did...Im not sure if from illness or heartbreak from losing his brother.
2007-10-14 13:14:11 · answer #10 · answered by Annie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋