My rattie is a bit older than 4 years and her back legs are starting to lose mobility but she is still active but I could hear her struggling to go up the ramp to the next level or just slide down so I made the levels almost flat. I know it’s a weird stage at the moment, I wake up 2-3 times a night to check up on her to see if she’s too cold or hot. She’s so old, I can’t help being worried. She’s so cute

@raposaestelaroriginal

2 ай бұрын

I really appreciate how you care for your little girl, you are doing great ❤

i have much respect how u take care of your ratties

My rat just turned three and I’ve started noticing the aging signs the past month or so, this video was super helpful! Thank you!

I was never able to have fabric in my rat girls cage because they kept peeing on it as well sleeping on it (yuck!) But they also tore them apart to use for nesting material in their house. It was quite defeating because I really liked how it looked and I put so much effort into it xD

@TheMewtata

3 жыл бұрын

@Delaney Holt If you’re gonna do that much, just go to the fabric store. Fleece is the perfect rattie fabric, cheap as heck, and you have lots of pattern choices.

Ours are getting older and it was great hearing your tips and seeing your work older ones. Comparing them to ours is reassuring.

god i have so much respect for you and how you take care of your rats. they're really living the best life and you take so much time for them it's just so heartwarming to see..!

This is very helpful. Our Nutmeg is in his twilight years at the grand age of 2 years 3 months. He can't climb much and eats less these days, but is still active and loves cuddle time. I'll have to try the oil as he does have dry skin.

I really like your help, I have 12 rats all of the 9 have tumors, and don't clean them selves, and 3 males dont do either. They all are 2 1/2 years old.

Aww so adorable

Great video and so informative thanks so much for sharing

I just adopted an elderly rat from my local animal rescue but when I got there they told me that he is a feeder rat and not socialized- he’s 1 year and 10 months old. They also recommended that he be kept alone. None of this fits my experience but I’m just going to try to give him some nice golden years (or months) and keep him happy and comfortable.

This was super helpful! My Felix is 3 and his back legs are just starting to go. Good to know about the hammocks and cage layout too as mine has stopped exploring the top area of the cage now and likes to chill on the bottom.

Thank you! I’m very grateful for this info as it’s my first time caring for 2 year old ratties. ❤️

You are definitely a great Ratty Mum😊👍

I have been watching your channel for sooooooo long I have been wanting a rat forever

I'm down to my last two rats and not getting more. It's so sad. They have bad hind leg mobility, have lost weight and mostly sleep. They are free ranged 24/7 since there is no point of having a tall cage any more. I sleep on a mattress on the floor so my most cuddly one can come around and chill under the covers with me a few times every night, he seems to really enjoy sleeping next to me and I hope that make up for some of the lost fun of being an agile and energetic younger rat. The other one is a Food Gatherer by trade so he gets a lot of different food stuff all over the floor and hidden in activity toys.

My two ratties are 2years old now and also started out tiny. Now they're Big and chunky lol!

Thank you for making this video ❤ Maybe you don't remember me, but I've been watching you since the beginning of my rat journey and now my babies are old :( One of my rats are blind, deaf, and not able to move her body much. The other has 3 tumors. I've had to move them to a single level cage so they don't get hurt.

Thanks for sharing!!!

Thank you so much for this video!

thank you for making this!

I have a neurologically blind rat, and I’m wondering if I need to change the cage layout (Btw her name is ginger )

@ambriadanielsband4132

4 жыл бұрын

Aww A special needs rat. No- Do not change anything for it!

@angelamagicsalveson3639

3 жыл бұрын

My girl was named Ginger too! She was white with a light tan face etc, Pepper was white with black, got an together as babies.

My Penny was light blond, she died Feb 2020 at 2.2 yrs old. Which was a month after moving to AZ from Philly PA, 4 days of drvg, with Mya a pit bull, my kitty Princess & 3 female rats. Basically just us girls lol. Penny started getting skinny even though she still had her same appetite. She wasn't one that liked being loved on but for a week b4 she died. That day I watched as she did a perimeter of the cage looking for a way out which was odd behavior for her. So I let just let her out & she snuggled into my hand to be loved on, which was so not her. That's when I knew she was telling me it's time.

Brilliant video. I was looking for a advise. And i watched a few but this one is the best. Tells you everything loads of advise . Thank you learnt a lot for my boys .

Thank you. I just had to put my MrWinkles to sleep. End stage lung disease.

@ivyn6015

5 жыл бұрын

Candice Jackson Rest In Peace mr. winkles

@mabel8179

5 жыл бұрын

Aww sorry for you and rest in peace Mr Winkles.

@loopylou6841

4 жыл бұрын

Sorry for your loss, it really sucks when they pass on over to rainbow bridge. Just wish they lived as long as we do!

@mrnoodlesthegreat

4 жыл бұрын

D: oh noe mr Wrinkles. How could an epic rat with such a good name have that happen T-T

@mrnoodlesthegreat

4 жыл бұрын

@@loopylou6841 does that mean Mario is dead on the rainbow road stage on Mario kart 👁👄👁

Thank you so much. My husband and I have a "baby" who we have had almost 3 years now. She is still super spry considering. Super loving too. I have heard she is pretty old. Is this a bit more uncommon? For her to be this old?

@ambriadanielsband4132

4 жыл бұрын

No each rat has different genetics just like people.

@mrnoodlesthegreat

4 жыл бұрын

My rat is nearly three and she's still acting like when I first got her

@willowmccormack4741

4 жыл бұрын

no

@willowmccormack4741

4 жыл бұрын

@@mrnoodlesthegreatoh that must me sad

Amazing as always! Thank you

You do such an amazing job! Thanks for sharing!

Latte reminds me of my Lil Boy, He was named after his uncle (My Big Boofhead Spot) and his name was Spot Jr or Jr for short.. looked EXACTLY like Latte but he had a beautiful white Dot right on the middle of his head :( passed away due to what looked like Human Bite Marks but ive mever been told the truth of what happened to him.. upsets me every day.. he was THE BEST rat.. was SO SO SO playful, pretty vocal (although he wasnt an angry boy, just liked to be heard the squeaky hissing bugger.. Mever ince bit or tried to bite me.. just loved me so much he even followed me around

My older girl is still mobile, but has really stopped using the second floor of the cage, even though we have a ramp and hides up there. She also has stopped using her hammocks to sleep in, and instead sleeps in boxes or mostly her igloo. She does have the whole bedroom to free-roam almost all day, but is there anything I can do for her in her cage?

My senior ray is getting skinnier as he gets older :( He’s still eating though.

@eloiseharrison8574

2 жыл бұрын

I have two old boys who are feeling skinnier now they're old - holding them feels similar to hugging my Gran and Grandad 😅

My oldest is 3.5. He is the first rat I had as an adult (I started as a kid) and up until tues I had 7, including two new baby boys. Jack Miller had a tumor removed 7 weeks ago and still going strong. I hope he sees 4 and passes inside my sleeve. My one year old rescue was put down on tues w progressive hear failure. I only had him 6 m and can't stop crying. A will to live despite his blue feet and a heart with no space to beat. Just a rat. Mm yeah right.

I only feed fresh food. Grains brown rice lentils and barley blitzed w peas butternut sweet potatoes baked beans brocolli carrots corn whatever I have oats and fruit w soya milk in the morning. Whatever veg I have and blitzed makes it easier to eat and get everything they need.

I just had Barbie pass away from double open tumors she was begging me

@ambriadanielsband4132

4 жыл бұрын

Did you have her humanely euthanized???

Nice

I really like the music you use in this video in the background, what is it called so I can download it?

Emergency!! Hello!! I noticed today one of my rats is really thin, she always had a thick skin so i didn't really notice, she's old and always had problems with breathing, on the other hand, my other rat remains 'young' despite the same age. So she steals the food from the elderly. I started to feed the mush today to her, but my question is, is it safe to refrigerate the remaining mush for a couple of days/hours and then microwave it? The pellets i have take really long to make into a mush and it would just safe time. I would really appreciate if you helped!!

I have no idea how old my older boy is but he is acting like the older rats described in this video he still grooms quite regularly but doesn't want to eat as much as he used to and wants to cuddle more than usual and sleep more too should I go ahead and treat him as an older/elderly rat?

Esther do I have to buy a young male rat for my old male rat or the same age ????

hi:) what is considered an "old" rat? my oldest is a little over a year old

@ShadowTheRat

6 жыл бұрын

I’d say 18+ months, although my girls only really seem to start showing age signs at around 2. My 1 year olds are crazy hehe, I can’t see them slowing down anytime soon!

@alicemadness2915

6 жыл бұрын

Shadow The Rat okay thanks for the advice:) my girls are still super active and seem to be in good shape, i was just wondering when i should be looking out for signs of ageing with my oldest. thank you so much! love you channel

Where was your litterbox downstairs?

So many good tips. One question 🙋 do they have misaligned teeth from young on or this this Happen as they get older? Thanks.

@soggycereal8626

5 жыл бұрын

Rats are born with misaligned teeth, and you have to clip the teeth yourself or have the vet clip the teeth.

@loopylou6841

4 жыл бұрын

I've had rats for a few years and never had to have their teeth clipped xx

Mickey has noone with him.and in a separate cages females one has a.large tumor between legs,so tiny has no back back feet.

It's not good to feed old rats with the same food that you are feeding young or adult rats. They have different nutrition etc. needs, so It's good to buy or make them some senior mix.

@ShadowTheRat

4 жыл бұрын

There is typically a range of acceptable nutrient percentages for each age group and good lab blocks go for an average tat meets all these needs for all age groups. Its not perfect, but unless you know your rat nutrients and plan on making a specific mix then its perfectly fine to feed a good lab block using this sort of average for nutrients. Besides, if you have a group with rats of drastically different ages like I often do then feeding separately just isn't viable. Rats should have lab blocks available all the time and you can't stop them from eating each others foods. If your worried your best bet would be a lower protein lab blocks (ideal for older rats) and just supplementing protein on the side for the rats under 6 months, but something like Oxbow adult falls within the range for adult and young rat needs so its just as fine to feed it without supplements.

I spent $3,000 on removing 4 mammory tumors. I regretted not going ahead and previously paying the $300 to get her spayed. We weren’t sure if she was or not and would’ve had to do surgery to see if she was so at the time I didn’t feel it was worth it. Now I take her in every month to an exotic that is an hour away from my house to get her teeth trimmed. I had no idea the investment but I love her dearly just as much as my dogs. RIP to my bank account haha. Lila is going on 4 years almost. The vets said she’s one the oldest rats they’ve ever seen come in. She doesn’t have her cage mates anymore as they passed already but to be honest she was always incredibly mean to them.

Who thinks the x it’s not a legend he just rapped

I swear this girl used to be British😋

@ShadowTheRat

2 жыл бұрын

Lol I think you are thinking of emiology, another rat care channel. She’s in the UK while I’m in the US, and our accents reflect that :P

Video is very good, but you speek to quick... {but my rat, Čiučiundra, is now 2 yr and 6 (or 7 months?) and he, it's a very pity, can do at this time (this week) nothing... and i and my kids - very sad...}

Do older rats get allong with younger rats

@ShadowTheRat

3 жыл бұрын

Yup! In fact since rats under 12-14 weeks are not territorial yet most adult rats find them less of a threat and will accept them easier. Babies can be a bit much for older rats if they don't have a same aged playmate to play with as well though so I always recommend that if someone wants to add a baby rat to their group they should instead add a pair of babies. Other than that though once they are bonded a mixed age group is perfect for keeping older rats active and engaged while also teaching the younger rats how to be more confident and how to interact with other rats.

First comment keep up the good work

Hi I'm looking to adopt a rat what would be a good age?

@eliasgaines8033

6 жыл бұрын

Creative Cats any age! always get more than one rat, but as long as the (at least) two are the same sex and they do okay together, their age doesn’t make a difference. watch more of rat guru! best channel for assistance for new rat owners 💪🐾

@DougDahlman

5 жыл бұрын

A good age can be between 6 and 8 weeks

My rat got so old she couldn't eat solids and became underweight . I fed her babyfood a d was even too weak to lift her head.

@n0isyrat779

4 жыл бұрын

she couldve had a pituitary tumor. my rat has that and has trouble eating solids too, as well as falling over a lot and issues moving her arms

@mrnoodlesthegreat

4 жыл бұрын

@@n0isyrat779 w e l l m y r a t I s d e a d n o w but I believe it was old age. She was simply losing her teeth and couldn't eat. I regret not noticing it when it started and didnt notice until she became really skinny. I blame myself for alot of her death TnT her sister is still alive at 3 years and like 5 months, ancient! Shes just eating less now but shes doing a-okay, I feel bad for ur ratty tho :c

On average how long do your rats live for?

@ShadowTheRat

5 жыл бұрын

Me personally? Around 2 years and 3 months, with my longest rat being just over 2 and a half when she passed. Of course these numbers only come from 5 rats so it’s not a huge number, my current oldest 3 are around 1 year and 7/8 months and perfectly healthy and active so hopefully they’ll be around for a while yet!

@jojobeanyetta9445

5 жыл бұрын

@@ShadowTheRat ok sweet,i just making sure. The two previous rats i had lived for about that long as well. I have heard of people having rats live for up to 4 years so i did t know if i was doing something wrong hahaha thanks

@peterphillips5200

5 жыл бұрын

My rat is four now, 14/5/19. And he is struggling with illness. My question is can I be selfish and try to keep him going or should I let him run his coarse? Help me help him.

@boop8685

4 жыл бұрын

@@peterphillips5200 I know this comment is a bit old but if he is still around, do definitely consider what is best for him in terms of how much he's struggling with basic living (walking around/mobility, eating, drinking, etc.). If he is not, I'm sorry and much love to you (and him on the other side ❤️) To other people with sick rats as well: it's a very tough decision whether or not to get a pet put down but if you desperately don't know, ask a vet or somebody who you know is very well acquainted with rats to have a look at them and decide what treatments are available/ whether to consider getting them put to sleep. Rats can hide their pain very well but usually you know what's best to do when the time comes. Of course for a lot of things there are options to fix their issues but if it's going to put them through a lot of stress and/or pain it's generally just not worth it, you don't want the end of their life to be spent suffering ❤️

Is it safe to use chalk for rats teeth?

@ShadowTheRat

4 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure what you are asking...are you asking if you can let your rats chew on chalk? If so I'd say no, its way too dusty and not something you want them ingesting

Cutting their nails is something you should not do. It's not natural and I don't know any vets who would suggest such a thing

@ShadowTheRat

2 жыл бұрын

If they get old or ill and aren’t climbing around enough, their nails will start to curl over with growth and that’s quite painful for them (not to mention it limits their mobility even more). Any vet who cares about quality of life would be happy to see a rat owner clipping their rats nails if need be - same for their incisors, although those are best filed down under vet help if need be. Something being natural also doesn’t mean anything for a domestic animal - wild rats often die as babies or if they make it to adulthood they usually die before a year old. But our domestic rats don’t have to worry about predators and we keep them comfy with easily available safe food and water, so they end up living longer lives which means they often need end of life care (such as clipping their nails). Giving rats antibiotics or pain meds also isn’t natural but it sure saves a lot of pet rats and I for one am happy to use modern advances to give my rats longer and more quality lives.

I gOt tHe sAmE cAgE aS u

Not hating but wasn't really helpful for me. Not on your side though. My 3 1/2 female (sister died and i spend all my spare time with her) has *MASSIVE* tumour (front shoulder) that is slowing her down a lot. She is still wanting to live, attempting to run and jump but mabey post a vid on how to care for a sick, almost immobile rat as well? Btw love ur channel and have just made a cardboard playpen. :) U are a really good rat mum

@fantasiesbyjuls

4 жыл бұрын

Srainbow60 if you’re animal is older and has a massive tumor, consider the quality of life and consider euthanizing. Don’t make an animal suffer more than it has to because you aren’t ready to let go. I personally wouldn’t want to leave one whose hind legs don’t work to suffer either as they are way more prone to back injuries and other issues.

@m2heavyindustries378

4 жыл бұрын

Don't just consider it, give it a painless death. You wouldn't leave a human suffering with a tumor one third of their body weight without doing something about it. Lab rats are treated better than how you've treated this rat. Selfishness isn't an excuse to let it suffer for gods sake.

I had to DISLIKE this because you said " you don't need to bathe a rat". OH HELL YEAH YOU DO!!!

@indi5040

4 жыл бұрын

Ambria Daniels Band you should only bathe them if they don’t clean themselves and get oily fur/skin and are smelly. Bathing them takes out oil in their skin so you should try to do it as little as possible, at most, every two months or even less baths.

@ambriadanielsband4132

4 жыл бұрын

That sure is a LIE Meep! NO way would you hurt a rat by bathing it! LOL. I fgo by what the Rat and Mouse XClub of America says and have bathed mine for 35 years. They love it and YOU are a LIAR

@indi5040

4 жыл бұрын

@@ambriadanielsband4132 I really don't think you should be calling me a liar, it is my opinion. I bathe my rats once every two months because that is what I am recommended from the fancy rat society of Australia and my rat vet. If what you're doing currently with your rats work, then go ahead, as long as your rats are happy and healthy that is great and I'm sure it is that way. My rats are also healthy and happy so I think we should just agree that we both have our opinions on this and as long as our rats are fine, it does not matter.

@ane6524

4 жыл бұрын

Ambria Daniels Band youre NOT supposed to baths rats!

@ane6524

4 жыл бұрын

Ambria Daniels Band just because you’ve had rats for 35 years doesn’t mean you know the best. they’re really not supposed to be washed unless they have problems with cleaning themselves!