How to Double Your Pet Rat’s Life Span

The biggest problem with pet rats is that they just don’t live long enough! Here we have these wonderful, intelligent animals who we can train like dogs and love to pieces and yet it is all over so quickly.

When I first researched pet rats online I read that rats can live up to 4 years and felt rather optimistic. Little did I know that with respiratory infections and nasty tumors to contend with that age would be so hard to achieve. The truth is that the average age for our ratty friends is only 2 years and for most of us that is not nearly long enough. The worst bit is seeing our little darlings poorly, as we try and nurse them back to health.

So what can we do to help our pet rat’s reach that elusive 4 year birthday? Well luckily there are a few things you can do which can reduce the risk of tumors, respiratory infections and other illness and help to prolong your rat’s life span. Let’s take a look at them now.

1. Soy Milk - My rats adore the taste of chocolate soy milk and it is also good for their health. You can get a small bowl to clip on the side of the cage and fill it with yummy soy milk every day. This will help keep tumors at bay and provide a taste sensation for your pets.

2. Clean the Cage to Within an Inch of it’s Life – Of course you already clean out your rat’s cage on a regular basis, but many people simply do not do it thoroughly enough. A cage that is not completely clean or ventilated is the Number 1 cause of deadly respiratory infections.

Every week take all the toys and other equipment out of the rat cage. Place everything from the cage (except the rats!!!) in hot water with antibacterial bleach. After soaking everything scrub it hard with an old toothbrush and rinse with clean water. Throw out any toys and accessories that can’t be cleaned such as egg cartons etc and replace them. Wash your rat’s hammocks in the machine.

Go about your usual cleaning , removing old bedding and cleaning the cage floor. Buy a spray from your local pet store or online especially for pet cages and scrub the bars of the cage. You can then put everything back and arrange the cage so it is interesting for your rodent pals.

3. Bedding and Ventilation – You have probably already read this during your research, but ventilation is key for a healthy pet rat. Aquarium tanks are not suitable, as they are a great breeding ground for bacteria and the air flow is not good enough, which can lead to respiratory infections. Choose a wire cage and clean it regularly (see above).
As for bedding, never keep your rats on shavings, as the dust is very bad for the lungs and pine shavings are actually poisonous to rats.

I use recycled paper as a base on the cage and then I tear up sheets of unprinted newspaper (so they do not ingest ink) for comfy bedding. Some old rags are also great to cut up for extra comfy bedding as long as you replace (or wash) them weekly.

4. Companionship - It has been proven time and time again that happy rats live longer. This is why it is so important to keep rats in pairs (or more). The fact is you cannot be around all the time. You have to sleep! This is when your rat needs a playmate, a grooming partner and someone to snuggle with. You should also spend plenty of time with your pet rats. Set aside time for them every day and be sure to handle them a lot and give them loads of attention.

Free range time is also really important, as rats need things to explore and play with.

5. Inositol - This is an ingredient found in brown rice that has been proven (in horrible labs) to extend the lives of rats and help prevent cancer and promote better health. Simply cook some brown rice for your rats daily. They will probably like it and it is great for their little bodies.You will also need to supplement your rat’s diet with Iron or your rat’s may not be able to absorb the mineral.

If you are worried about weight gain from too many carbs go to your local health food shop and ask for the powdered version of Inositol. This can be ordered in if they do not have it. Simply add a sprinkling to your rat’s water daily and they will love the slightly sweet taste. You should not have your rat’s cage in direct light anyway, but if you do be aware that you will need to cover the water bottle as Inositol is light sensitive.

6. Food and Weight Management - The only thing that has been proven beyond doubt, time and time again is that slimmer rats live longer. It is important to make sure your rat gets all the nutrients they need, as without this a low calorie diet will be no good at all, but by reducing calories you can ensure better health for your rat. The best base food is Rat Block available online, or from your local pet store. This has all the nutrients that your rat needs. You can then add some more exciting things to the mix, but if you are feeding high calorie items such as crisps, only do this very occasionally. Your rat may love them, but their body won’t.

By following these guidelines you may be able to increase your rat’s life span and improve their overall health. There are other supplements you may wish to consider such as flax seed oil, which is great for keeping joints supple and garlic, which helps to open up the lungs and is good for the heart.

Be aware that pet rats who are descended from lab rats will be more prone to tumors, as they were bred for this purpose. On the same note rats you save from feeder snakes may not be in tip top health. Just try your best for these rats to provide them with the happiest and healthiest time possible, but do not beat yourself up if they do pass away at an early age. However, you should never breed from these animals, as bad health traits will be passed to the babies.

The main thing is to shower your fuzzy friends with love and attention and enjoy the relatively short time you have together. Make every day of your rats’ little lives a great day.

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