Buyer question
How long does a rat live?
Our Animal Library gives the Rat a lifespan of 2–3 years.
Source: the Standard rat page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Rat in the Animal Library
The detail
The standard, or top-eared, fancy rat is the domestic Norway rat with ears set on top of the head and a smooth, short coat. It is clever, affectionate and easy to handle, and like every rat it needs at least one same-sex companion and daily time out.
- Origin
- Domestic Norway rat, 1800s England
- Best fit
- Families, first-time pet owners
- Care load
- 3 out of 5 (Daily time out of cage)
What to weigh
Rats live only two to three years, and respiratory disease and tumours are common. They need daily attention and a companion, so a single rat in a small cage is a poor life.