How long do pet rats live?

It depends on where you get your rat and how stringent you are regarding diet. Most rats live between 2-4 years, usually closer to 2 years. If you adopted your rats from an experienced rat breeder, it is not uncommon to have your rats live to be 4. Breeders purposely breeds genetically and behaviorally healthy rats. Pet stores don't always do this. They frequently get their rats from big rat mills (feeder rats) or from the random local person whose rats "accidentally" had babies.

Diet is important as well. Most foods you find at the pet store are not ideal for rats. Seed/grain diets are not balanced well nutritionally. They have far too many seeds, which are fattening. Studies have shown that rats with a low fat, low protein diet live longer. A high quality lab block is recommended. Again, most lab blocks you might find at the pet store are not good. I'd recommend Harlan blocks, and you can find them online. I buy mine from Kim's Ark: http://www.kimsarkrescue.org/content/view/35

Exercise is important as well to keep your rat fit. Many rats enjoy using wheels and having free roaming time in a rat proofed room. Make sure you get the largest wheel you can find. Babies grow quickly!

Females also have the sad fact that they are highly likely to contract tumors, mammary and pituitary, after they go through menopause (around 18 months). I'm currently dealing with a PT with one rat, and already had a mammary tumor removed from the other. Some say spaying females helps keep that from happening, but you have to weigh the risk of surgery with the benefit.

Here's some sites to check out regarding rats:

http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/home/

http://www.quite.co.uk/rats/

http://www.ratguide.com/

Hope that helps!

They can live up to 4 years of age, but that is the exception. Someone else recommended Harlan, that is a good diet. Up to 4 months of age, feed a higher protein content--2018, then a maintenance diet of 2014 is good. If you are in the US on the west coast (shipping) you can obtain the blocks from craftyrat or theratshop. I didn't see where anyone mentioned the bedding. Do not use pine or cedar shavings for bedding. These irritate the nasal passages and studies show that liver issues may develop. Also, housing is important. Cage vs. aquarium. And finally, you never save a rat from a feeder bin, it just means they put another in its place. Not to mention they are often poorly socialized, more likely to be covered in parasites, et cetera. It is best to not frequent pets stores if avoidable. And be sure to adopt/purchase your rats in same sex groups as rats are social animals and need friends. There is a forbidden food list online, http://www.petratscanada.com/forbidden_foods.htm. I recommend getting a few books to help you out. http://ratfanclub.org/books.html. Find a competent vet in your area. Get a copy of the Rat Health Care Guide and the Rats: Practical, Accurate Advice from the Expert book. And join a few yahoo rat groups. Ratlist is one of them. For cages, I'd check out www.qualitycage.com or www.martinscages.com.

They have a life span of about 2-4 years. Female rats sometimes grow tumors which shortens their life if not treated correctly. On occassion a rat will live up to 5 years but that's very rare. Most of my rats make it to about 3 1/2 years.

It doesn't make a difference where u get them, as long as they're healthy. The average life span for a rat is about 3-5 yrs, give or take. My rat Evie is almost 4 and she seems like she has a long way to go. Just give them good food, love, attention & happiness and they'll live long happy lives.

Give them toys for their cage. Kaytee is an excellent food brand 4 pet rats. Also the occasion veggie/fruit, but no oranges for males. As far as bedding, i'd suggest not buying it. There r WAY 2 many harmful "rodent beddings" that can cause respiratory illnesses in rats. Shredded paper/clean rags & towels r always a safe bet. Here's a helpful site about keeping ur rat happy & healthy: www.rmca.org

well, people say that 2 years old is a "good age" for a rat.

This isn't true!

I've owned rats all my life and they always lived to 3 or 4 years old. It just depends on the life they have, whether it's stressful, happy, healthy, and how good the environment their in is.

My favorite rat (Blackie) lived till he was 4yrs and he was the best pet EVER...

... however, he mostly sat in bed all day in his later years.

I have always had male rats although now I have 3 female rats and am also curious on their age expectancy :)

I think your rats should live until they are at least 3 years old, (unless something terrible happens to them)

Maybe 4 if your Lucky:)

all my rats were fed lab blocks , some were from breeders rex dumbo some were from pet stores , they lived to 3 and a half years , they started getting a bit heavy and slept a lot , less active , ate less , died in sleep . I don't see any huge difference in pet store and breeder , , except hype , breeders have the better colors ,and higher prices , but ive gotten some beautiful rats from stores , it is how you treat them that makes a huge difference , and the health of what you buy , genetics are a funny thing like does not always produce like

In my own personal experience, all the rats that I have had as pets have lived for about 2-3 years at the most. However, mine were not "Rex" or "Dumbo" that I know of. They were just nicely colored ones that I saved from the pet store. I didn't want them to become snake food.

2 or so years seem to average in my experience. Both my female rats (my son's rats actually) developed tumors in the breast area and eventually had to be put down when they seemed too uncomfortable.

I was so against rats in the house but they were delightful. Friendly, cute and smart--once you get past the tail. They would ride around on your shoulder, come when called, etc.

One thing, don't ever feed them peanut butter. They have no gag refex and can easily choke to death on sticky foods!

Good luck with them--they are great pets!

rats can live for 2 1/2 - 4ish years it depends on the breeding background and how healthy their life style is. Make sure they get enough exercise and eat some greens and are happy!

I honestly dont possess the patience to keep my curly hair long