How long do domestic rats live, what to feed them and how to care for them

Some people wage an irreconcilable fight with these animals, others keep them as pets.

Decorative rodent in a cup

Such a contradictory attitude towards them in humans is quite understandable, since we are talking about rats.

Both will be interested in how many years rats live: domestic and wild rodents. The lifespan of these animals directly depends on the conditions under which it occurs.

Peculiarities

The domestication of tailed animals began at the beginning of the last century. Decorative rats have a keen intelligence, have excellent memory and are highly trainable. In this regard, the popularity of rodents as pets is increasing every year. Even those who do not have warm feelings for rats watch with interest the antics of the eared animals.

The domestic rat is a compact pet. Adults weigh from 300 to 600 grams depending on gender. Boys grow up to be almost twice as big as girls. Most breeds have a slightly elongated muzzle, ears set high and with rounded tips. The body is covered with fur, its thickness and length depends on the specific breed. The tail is most often bare or covered with a small amount of hair. It is noteworthy that in some individuals it is warm to the touch, while in others it is cold.

What you need to know to properly keep rats at home.

Why do rats die at home?

The rat is a fairly active animal, constantly exploring the surrounding space, tasting new objects. Therefore, rodents often die prematurely due to the carelessness of the owners who did not protect the pet from potential dangers. The causes of early death of domestic rats are often:

• injuries received from other pets (cats or dogs);
• eating plants dangerous to rats (geranium, aloe, tulip, daffodil, dieffenbachia);
• chewing electrical wires;
• falling out of a window or balcony;
• great fear.

Also, rat owners often inadvertently step on or sit on the animals. Fluffies are very nimble and easy to miss, especially in the evening and at night. Therefore, in order to avoid troubles, it is necessary to organize a safe walk for them in a fenced area. The rest of the time, the pet rat should be kept in a tightly locked cage.

Lifespan

In the wild, the lifespan of a rodent depends on its habitat and rarely exceeds one year. They live as pets for 2-2.5 years.

There are also cases where domestic rats lived up to three years or more. And the Guinness Book of Records notes that the oldest rat lived to the age of 7 years.

The popularity of rodents as pets increased dramatically with the release of the third Harry Potter book. In The Prisoner of Azkaban, there was a certain wizard who lived in the guise of a rat for 12 years. Fans of the world of magic who believed in the long life of pets were in for a slight disappointment. Rats bought at the height of Pottermania lived, like ordinary ones, for 2-3 years .

How long rats live at home is influenced by quality of life, nutrition and genetics. To prolong a pet’s existence, you need to provide it with favorable living conditions. The common belief that rodents can live in any conditions is partly true. However, poor care will certainly affect life expectancy.

An example of proper keeping of furry pets.

Syrian (golden) hamster

Syrian, also known as golden, or Western Asian hamsters are small animals with a length of 13 to 14 cm, of which approximately 1.5 cm is in the tail. Weight – 100-125 g. They are omnivores, in natural conditions they feed on seeds, nuts and some insects (ants, flies, wasps, cockroaches). In captivity they can live up to 3-4 years. The color can be golden, white, black, silver or brown.

A solitary animal that does not require a partner for communication, but easily finds a common language with its owner.

Genetics

The lifespan of a house mouse is influenced not only by lifestyle, but also by genetic predisposition.

The fact is that in pet stores, rats live in mixed-sex packs , which does not happen in the wild. Animals living in crowds mate uncontrollably, after which they live in cramped conditions unsuitable for normal existence. It is very difficult to trace the genetics of such an animal, so it is impossible to say how long such a rat will live and what life awaits it.

A completely different situation arises when animals are bred by a breeder. Matings in such cases are planned, and partners are selected depending on temperament. Rat pups from peaceful, sociable parents are prepared for sale as pets. Such babies are brought up in a favorable environment, which prevents the pet from displaying aggression in the future.

Females in nurseries give birth to cubs no more than twice a year . Frequent pregnancies exhaust the animal, as a result of which it produces weak, non-viable litters.

In order for a pet to be healthy, please its owners and live a long life, it must be purchased only in special institutions.

You will learn how to make the life of a pet rat comfortable in this video.

Djungarian hamster

A miniature rodent up to 10 cm long and weighing up to 65 g. Life expectancy is 10-12 months in the wild, and about 2-2.5 years in captivity (some individuals live up to four years). There are several color options - brown-gray (standard), gray-bluish (sapphire), matte white with gray intervals (pearl), red-cream (mandarin).

A distinctive feature is a dark strip of fur along the spine. It is curious that in winter the animals molt, and their fur becomes almost completely white.

They get along well in the same cage with representatives of their species.

Rodent character

Those who have never met a rat face to face before can argue that rodents have a bad character. And only the owners of tailed sneaks can say with confidence: this is a loyal and intelligent pet . In terms of intelligence, ornamental rodents are compared to dogs. And for good reason: these are very smart animals.

Each of the domestic rats has a special temperament. You will never meet two identical eared ones. There are homebodies who like to sit in a cage and sleep all day long. Travelers also meet: do not feed such a pet bread, let him walk around the apartment. There are also “revolutionaries”: when they get free (on the carpet, for example), they strive to turn everything in their own way, steal small objects and carry trinkets from place to place.

The rat is an animal that can smile sincerely . Of course, its smile bears little resemblance to a human’s, but scientists have proven that by showing its lower teeth, the rodent expresses its joy at meeting you.

It is also curious that rodents readily respond to their own name. If a mouse gets lost in the bowels of the apartment, you don’t have to rummage through all the closets in search of it (as, for example, in the case of a selfish hamster). Calling the tailed one by name, you will immediately see its ubiquitous face. After all, communication with your beloved owner is more important than any intrigues.

And rats love to communicate . For her, there is nothing so much adored as “her” person. The rat will choose as its “own” the one who will pay it the most attention. She won’t offend the rest of the family, but she won’t give her a championship medal either.

By the way, adult pets treat strangers with caution. You may not recognize your polite mustachioed friend when he grabs the finger of a curious guest. Rats are terribly loyal and devoted, and in the event of a change of owner they do not even try to get used to a new person, often remaining an “abandoned loner” until their death.

Care and maintenance of domestic rats.

When examining a rat's character, the future owner can be given some advice:

1. When buying a pet, be prepared to interact with it daily. Communication involves contact, play and hand feeding. This is the only way your “mouse” will be happy. Let your pet sit on your shoulder, lightly tease you, and steal small trinkets from you.
2. Introduce your pet to all family members right away so that there are no misunderstandings later.
3. Give your rat a name and speak to it often. The smart rodent remembers not only some words, but also perfectly captures the mood by the intonation of its voice.
4. Equip the “hole” according to all the rules (they will be described below). This way you will avoid the animal’s constant attempts to escape from the cage. A rat, in love with its home, will happily return there after a walk.
5. As you already understand, walks are mandatory for a rodent. Of course, you don't have to take your rat to the park. It is enough to let her out of the cage once a day. If you have a female, then it is not recommended to leave her unattended. The girls are very homely and their whole life consists of trying to “build” a nest. The material for the kennel will be your personal belongings, so keep a close eye on your pet if you are not ready to sacrifice socks as building material.

Caring for an elderly kitty rat

An elderly rat really needs your attention

It is morally difficult for a loving owner to accept the thought of the imminent death of a devoted animal; many owners do not know what to do if a rat dies of old age. It is impossible to calculate the time of death or prolong the life of a domestic rodent; immediately before the death of the animal, heavy breathing or convulsions may be observed, sometimes a beloved animal simply dies in its sleep. Elderly pets are in great need of increased care and attention from their adoring owner, so it is necessary to take care of the aging animal as often and intensively as possible. The owner of an elderly pet must:

• remove all floors from the cage, place the hammock, house, feeder and drinking bowl as low as possible;
• if necessary, independently place a weak rodent in a warm hammock;
• after each feeding, it is necessary to wipe the pet’s nose, mouth and eyes with a damp swab, once a day to wash the intimate parts with a solution of chlorhexedine and the ears with a cotton swab dipped in saline solution;
• due to age-related dental problems, it is recommended to feed an elderly pet with semi-solid and soft food: porridge, dried bread, cereal, baby food, yogurt;
• if the animal cannot drink from a nipple drinker, you can secure a cup of water in the cage and treat the rodent with juicy fruits and berries;
• Vitamins for rats must be included in the diet;
• Slatted floors and coarse litter are not used for elderly pets; it is recommended to lay soft fabrics, napkins, and toilet paper on the bottom of the cage as bedding;
• It is advisable to frequently communicate with the rat, stroke the animal, hold it on your lap; elderly rats need human affection and attention more than ever.

Keeping a pet

Domestic rats have strong immunity and stamina, but this should not be abused. In order for your pet to be healthy and live a long time, you need to carefully care for it.

Purity

The key to good rodent health is cleanliness . You need to wash the cage daily. The tray must be rinsed and treated with products without an aggressive odor. Remember that rodents have a very keen sense of smell, so “fragrant” cleaning chemicals can harm your pet.

In addition to washing the tray, the cage itself must be cleaned. Once a week, thoroughly wash the rods, houses and all equipment in the rodent’s home. Old food supplies should be thrown away so that microbes do not multiply in them. If your pet is very zealous in collecting provisions, then the entire collected set can be replaced with a piece of carrot. No matter how smart the rat is, it has not yet learned to count.

In addition to cleaning the room , it is recommended to occasionally bathe the rat . Rodents are not afraid of water, so there will be no problems with the procedure. Fill the bath with just enough warm water to touch the tummy of the rat standing in it. Let your pet swim, then pat the fur dry with a towel.

Females should be bathed once a month, while males should be bathed more frequently, once every two weeks.

From the video you will learn how to properly care for your tailed friend.

Feeding

The lifespan of a rodent is also affected by the quality of its diet . Only natural products are suitable for feeding your pet. Rats are omnivores by nature, however, if you want to prolong the life of the animal, then you should not indulge its weaknesses.

Rats have a big sweet tooth. They love everything sweet, sticky, delicious-smelling and even salty. If a mouse has once tasted a candy, then, hearing the familiar rustle of the wrapper, it will turn the cage upside down until you give it the sweetness. To avoid such begging, do not give your rat junk food, even as an experiment.

She should be fed natural food high in carbohydrates. Grain is optimal for this purpose. In addition to being saturated with carbohydrates, the rat will be able to wear down its teeth on the grains, which, by the way, grow throughout its life.

In addition to grain, they can be given:

• boiled vegetables, fruits and other plant foods. Over time, each pet develops personal preferences;
• crackers, unsweetened crackers;
• vitamins and minerals from the pharmacy;
• dairy products;
• boiled meat and poultry.

Do not allow your pet to eat food uncontrollably. The daily norm for an adult rodent is 40 g of food. Physical activity in the form of running and walking is required.

Harmful products should be excluded:

• food with seasonings, as well as salty, spicy and fatty foods;
• sweet products, desserts. Chocolate is especially harmful to rats;
• oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits;
• raw potatoes, carrots and other vegetables;
• raw meat and fish;
• grass growing outside.

Arrangement of the house

The moral well-being of a pet plays an important role in its life expectancy. The pet should be warm, cozy and fun .

It is important to choose a cage in which the rodent will be comfortable. The gap between the twigs should not exceed 1 cm. Remember that if the rat was able to stick its head into the hole, then all of it will fit into it. And he will run away.

Rats love to climb various ladders and shelves. You can purchase a ready-made “cottage”, or equip it at your own discretion. The main thing is to ensure that the materials used to create “furniture” are non-toxic.

Arrangement rules:

• exercise equipment must be securely fastened;
• the tray should be deep so that the animal does not come into contact with its own feces;
• a drinking bowl with clean water is required;
• the bedding can be made of sawdust or paper (without printing ink!);
• a house where the rat can retire: a box, a pot, etc.;
• Animals have their own ideas about cleanliness, so the owner must do the cleaning.

Rats are wonderful pets that are great for both adults and children. In order for the pet to please the owner longer, the rodent’s life needs to be arranged in accordance with all the rules.

How to properly care and maintain?

You can’t argue with the genetics and characteristics of each specific breed. But owners of pet rodents are quite capable of at least slightly extending the lifespan of their pets. Who knows, perhaps, thanks to your care, a tame rodent will become another record holder for life expectancy among its relatives.

The appearance of a domestic rodent in an apartment begins with the arrangement of its home.

Regardless of whether it is a cage or a cardboard house, the main thing is that the animal has enough free space to move. For females, tall cages with several levels of hammocks or shelves are best suited.

You need to allocate an area in the house where the rat can hide and feel safe. This could be a small tunnel, a box with a hole for entry, or a corner curtained with fabric. Rats are quite shy by nature. Therefore, they need to periodically retire to a quiet, enclosed place. Over time, you will be able to notice that the animal most often chooses its own secluded corner for sleep.

Make sure that the rat is not frightened or disturbed. Consider a suitable location for the cage in the apartment. You should not place your pet's house in a room where loud noises are often heard. It is better not to place the cage in a room where they watch TV or listen to music.

Also, make sure that there are no drafts in your pet rat’s home. It is not allowed to place the cage on a windowsill or other place where the sun periodically shines directly. Both hypothermia and prolonged heat are harmful to rats.

A tame rat needs to be active

This helps keep muscles toned and is a good prevention of obesity and other health problems. Therefore, it is necessary to equip the house with 1-2 attractions where the animal could warm up.

Also, at least once a day, and preferably more often, if possible, the pet rat should be allowed to run around the apartment. Only such walks should be carried out only under your close supervision.

In their natural environment, rats live in flocks or at least in pairs.

Therefore, keeping one individual in complete isolation from its relatives does not have the best effect on its general condition. Like other animals, rodents need communication and play with their own kind. Don't deprive your pet of this. Place 1-2 friends with him.

If you do not plan to breed baby rats, then the individuals in the same cage should be of the same sex.

To prevent your pet from being afraid of you and not experiencing stress when you show it, interact with it more often

Rats are quite social animals, so contact is important for them, including with the person with whom they live side by side.

Pet rats love to sit on their owner's shoulder. They also love affection and conversation. There are often cases when these animals even learned commands and could perform various tricks according to a conventional sign from a person.

There is an opinion that rats, including domestic ones, are completely omnivorous, and they can be fed with anything

But that's not true. You should also pay attention to the nutrition of these animals if you want your pet to live as long as possible and not get sick.

The diet of rats should consist of at least 80% grains . This is the main source of microelements for them. In addition, rodents grind down their teeth on hard grains, which allows them to quickly grow new and strong ones. For the same purpose, a tree branch should be attached to the cage bars. Animals happily gnaw on it to keep their teeth in order.

It is recommended to regularly feed rats a combination food of several types of grains: wheat, rye, rice, buckwheat, barley, corn grains, oats.

Also, raw vegetables, fruits and herbs must be added daily to the pet rodent’s menu. You shouldn’t get carried away with feeding domestic rats, as they say, “from the table.” Many individuals really enjoy feasting on cheeses, pasta, boiled potatoes and other dishes from the human diet. But such products are neutral for rats, that is, they do not contain the substances and trace elements necessary for them. And their excess in the diet can disrupt the functioning of the rodent’s digestive system.

Rats can be given some boiled lean meat. Eating nuts is allowed, but infrequently and in small quantities.

Cleanliness and hygiene

In nature, rats are very clean. But since keeping rodents at home involves limiting their living space, the responsibility for maintaining the hygiene of their home falls mostly on the owner.

Untimely cleaning and food residues in the cage provoke the active development of pathogenic microorganisms. In other words, the poor sanitary condition of a tame rodent’s home greatly increases the chances of the pet developing any disease.

It is not recommended to use pine sawdust litter. They contain a large amount of essential oils, which are not very useful for rodents. The filler must be changed promptly as it becomes dirty.

Also, do not forget to regularly change the water in the drinking bowl, filling it with fresh water. Some owners limit themselves to only adding liquid. But in water that has been standing in a bowl for some time, bacteria often begin to develop, which the animal will be forced to consume along with drinking.

Periodically, the cage must be washed using cleaning agents and disinfectants.

Periodic bathing is also necessary for the animal itself. If the dimensions of the cage allow, you can install a kind of bath in the rat’s home. It can be made from a small plastic container filled with water. The animal will wash and clean itself in its bath, and you will get considerable pleasure watching it.

Once a month, your pet rat should be washed with a special shampoo for rodents. It can be found in veterinary pharmacies and pet stores. The use of human shampoo and soap for bathing rats is contraindicated. After washing the animal, you need to dry it a little, blotting it with napkins or a towel. While the fur is drying, you should prevent your pet from becoming hypothermic and protect it from drafts.

Veterinarians who specialize in providing medical care to rodents are called ratologists.

So far, such a specialist can not be found in every veterinary hospital. In any case, a regular veterinarian will be able to conduct an examination and advise you on the health status of your pet rodent.

Therefore, if you notice any signs of deterioration in your rat's health, or if obvious symptoms of a specific disease appear, seek medical help. Rodents are quite hardy, and in most cases, mild forms of the disease can be successfully treated in the same way as in other animals.

Remember, when you decide to place a pet next to you, you take care of it. The quality and life expectancy of the animal depends on your sensitive attention and proper care. Try to follow the simple rules for keeping pet rats so that your pet rodent can be healthy and please you for as long as possible.

What can you feed and what can you not?

Balanced feeding of the right foods will prolong the life of the animal and avoid many diseases. Animals of this species are considered unpretentious in nutrition, but the following list of foods is prohibited for them:

• any sweets, especially chocolate and candies;
• sweet drinks and sparkling water;
• raw beans and legumes;
• Brussels sprouts and red cabbage;
• raw potatoes;
• smoked sausage;
• fried meat seasoned with spicy seasonings;
• alcoholic drinks;
• spinach;
• unripe bananas;
• shashlik;
• chips and similar snacks.

Shish kebab The
diet of a domestic rat must include the following food products, which will provide it with a healthy, balanced menu:

1. Sunflower, flax and pumpkin seeds, oat sprouts and greens, millet and wheat, which serve as vitamin supplements.
2. Dry cereal mixtures in crushed form, they may include: barley, rice, corn and wheat. Such food is the basis of the diet of a decorative rat.
3. Almost all vegetables are allowed, except those listed on the list of prohibited foods. It is recommended to give vegetables regularly for normal intestinal motility and saturation of the animal’s body with useful vitamins and substances.
4. Dried fruits and berries - as a treat.
5. Fermented milk products, which are a source of calcium for rats. These include: kefir, fermented baked milk, unsweetened yogurt and low-fat cottage cheese.
6. Protein food should also be present in the rat's diet in the form of boiled eggs, chicken, fish and cooked meat by-products.

In addition to the main products that make up a rat’s daily diet, you should not lose sight of the opportunity to occasionally treat the rodent with pieces of apple or watermelon, puffed rice or corn.

It is important not to mix different types of food in one feeding.

To what age do they grow?

Rats grow and develop quickly. This process occurs most actively from birth to 6 months:

1. On days 3–4, the ears open.
2. Teething begins on days 9–10.
3. Eyes open after 2 weeks.
4. By day 16, the fur already completely covers the body.
5. Molars erupt in 35–40 days.
6. At 3 weeks of age, puppies are already eating from the feeder.
7. On the 25th day, the babies are separated from their mother.

In addition, the growth of puppies does not stop, but becomes less noticeable. At the age of one year, animals become fully formed. During this period, their weight is 300–600 g: females grow twice as large as males.

African dormouse

It is a rare pet that can compete in agility and agility with the African dormouse. This animal is considered very active and restless even by rodent standards, so you can keep it in an apartment only if you can provide it with complete safety. There are known cases when animals ran away even from seemingly completely impregnable cages, hiding from their owners throughout the apartment for days.

Therefore, African dormice are often recommended to be kept in a terrarium with a well-closed lid. The diet of these animals is noticeably different from the menu of other rodents. While hamsters, mice and guinea pigs base their menu on plant foods, African dormouse prefer food of animal origin - small insects, mealworms, eggs. However, plant foods cannot be completely excluded from the diet.

Clawed (Mongolian) gerbil

The gerbil looks like a mouse with a tassel on its tail. They are noticeably different in size from hamsters. Male gerbils can reach a length of 20 cm. It is curious that in captivity, males behave more friendly than females, while females are more active.

In the wild, gerbils live in groups consisting of one male and 2-3 females. Females and males care for the cubs together, however, as soon as the babies grow up, the parents “drive” them away from their territory.

On a note! The best food for gerbils is specially formulated mixtures for rodents. Cabbage, peas, potatoes, sour or too sweet fruits are strictly prohibited. Sometimes protein is added to the diet (egg whites, beetle larvae).

Chinese hamster

Chinese hamsters differ from their relatives from the Hamster family by their more elongated body proportions.

Young individuals are not very flexible, but if the animal is often communicated with, it very quickly gets used to being handled and even becomes attached to its owners. At the same time, Chinese hamsters do not get along well with their relatives. This is especially true for males, who have a habit of constantly entering into conflict due to the fact that they cannot divide the territory.

There are three types of color: gray (the so-called wild type), spotted white, white (a rather rare variety). They are known for their speed and resourcefulness, so such pets should be kept in a cage with a small distance between the bars. Some owners even set up a special aquarium for them.