Is it ok to keep a lone, elderly rat?

1351 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by SonicRat, Dec 11, 2021

ciddie

Discussion Starter · Nov 27, 2021

I have a male pair of rats (2.5 years) but one of them has been aging more than than the other. He's doing really bad. I'm actually at the vet now with him and I don't have high hopes...

I foresaw this and was preparing to get a new rat for weeks now but I can't find an older rat and introducing a baby to male rats sounds stressful based on my research. Right now I am pretty heartbroken over my sick rat so... I don't know if I can deal with getting another rat.

I want to keep my surviving rat and am willing to spend 2-3+ hrs daily with him for the rest of his life... but if it's inhumane I can also rehome him even though, for me, that is the worst case scenario and I worry that will be such an adjustment for him at the end of his life.

Any advice? What would you do?

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Tinytoes

· #2 · Nov 27, 2021

Hi Ciddie, and welcome to the forum. This is a difficult situation, and many rat owners go through the exact same scenario. That age for a healthy rat could mean 6+ months, so if you really are not wanting to continue to keep rats, then reach out to a rescue who will be able to care for him with other older rats. You will not be judged. Where are you located?

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Fofo

· #3 · Nov 27, 2021

If I was in your situation I would wait to see how your rat takes the loss of his cagemate. If he's really bonded to you and you can spend enough time with him each day he might be okay. You'll be able to tell if he gets really depressed and could then find him a friend or rehome him. Good luck, I'm sorry one of your rats is not doing well.

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Mkd

· #4 · Nov 28, 2021

No rat no matter what the circumstance should ever be alone

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ciddie

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 28, 2021

My sick rat might be ok for now based on what my vet said (he's still at the vet), so I might have a little more time to decide what I am going to do. But I do have a couple local rescues. I will look into my options and contact my local rescue to see what they have to say.

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ciddie

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 10, 2021

updating this thread just in case anyone was still concerned.

my sick rat did wind up passing away from pneumonia despite treatment.

my current rat has been alone for a few days but i am picking up two new boys today, so not for long. i don't want to give him up but he also doesn't deserve to be alone... after much looking i finally found some rats that were an appropriate age to introduce to him. i know that i will love them as much as i do my own.

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