Not sure where this belongs......How long is your oldest rat

[rat ears]

I know the lifespan is pretty much 1-3 years, has anyone had one for longer?
I hate the thought of losing my girls after such a short time

 

[Dahlas]

I have not....most of mine go at 2 to 2 1/2 years....but I have a girl now who is almost 3 and still go strong.....I know there are a few people on here who have had them live a bit longer then 3 years.....

 

[jorats]

I've a few live to 38, 39, 41, 43 and 45 months old.
Mamarat currently has Mitzi who is 40 months old!
eagle had a sweet girl live to 46!!

 

[Zooy]

My oldest was about 3.5 around the time she passed.

 

[jorats]

The way I look at it. If my rat lives to 2 years, then I've done my job, if the rat lives to 2.5 years then I did a great job keeping them healthy. If they live beyond, then they have given me a gift of staying longer with me but I know it's most likely due to their genetics and their stronger immune system.

 

[Rachael]

My girl Nell is 42 months old now. We saw her 4 others at the pet shop - they were tiny, I think about 3 or 4 weeks old. The girl who served us said they'd take them to the back and feed them up a bit but we offered to take them and luckily, they let us. She was with 3 girls and 1 boy, sadly all of them have gone now but Nell is still with us :heart: She's a lovely girl.

 

[DadRat]

Our oldest have been 32 and 33 months thusfar.

So much life, so little time.

 

[MissGuardian]

My oldest so far got to around 26 months. But the average life span over here is 18 months.

 

[ChrisK]

The way I look at it. If my rat lives to 2 years, then I've done my job, if the rat lives to 2.5 years then I did a great job keeping them healthy. If they live beyond, then they have given me a gift of staying longer with me but I know it's most likely due to their genetics and their stronger immune system.

I really like that, Jorats!

 

[RatsForever]

Most of my rats have lived 2-2.5 years but I've had three girls that lived 3 years.