How long does a rat live without water and without food and overall life expectancy

How long do pets live?

Decorative rats Even wild rats, having settled in a person’s house, significantly extend their lives despite people’s desire to destroy them. Several factors contribute to this:

constant availability of food;
comfortable living temperature;
decreased sexual activity;
absence of predators, especially if there is no cat in the house.

In such conditions, the gray pasyuk can live up to 3 years. However, even here there is a risk of dying prematurely. If a person uses poison, traps and rat traps to control rodents. How many years pet rats live depends on care, quality of food, and some other factors.

Description

The tiny exotic Chilean degu squirrel, which looks more like a rat, mouse, or chinchilla, belongs to a species of southern and Latin American rodents from the eight-toothed family. In the scientific world it is called Octodon Degus (bush rat), or Degus, whose natural habitat is foothills with bushes in South American countries - Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Peru.

Chilean squirrels have a body length of 10–24 cm (depending on gender), their long tail is 7–15 cm, and their weight ranges from 100 to 400 grams. In captivity, the weight of degus usually does not exceed 200–250 grams. On the elongated muzzle of the animal there are dark beady eyes, a slightly flattened nose, thick whiskers, large round ears sticking out above the head. The fur of these rodents is delicate, soft to the touch, and at the end of the tail there is a small brush of long hairs. The degu's front legs, which it uses to grab food, are shorter and weaker than its hind legs.

The color of the animal in nature is gray-brown or yellow-brown, it is usually darker on the back, and the fur on the belly is light gray or cream. Now spotted, blue and sand degus have been bred under artificial conditions. During times of danger (in nature this is an attack by birds of prey) or a stressful situation, squirrels shed skin and hair from their tail, leaving it for the enemy, then the animal gnaws off the bare, dead section of the tail for itself. It will not grow a new tail, so if you encounter a short-tailed bush rat, you can assume that it has experienced stress.

Degu sleeps at night, leading an active life during the day. In nature, it feeds at the beginning or end of the day; at this time the sun in its homeland is not so active and the animal will not suffer from heatstroke. At home, the squirrel can adapt to the owners' regime.

Like many rodents, the Chilean squirrel stores supplies for the winter season in its burrow. This rodent's teeth grow throughout its life. There are 20 teeth in total; the animal periodically grinds them down on various boards or branches.

Types of rats

Science knows about 70 species of rats. Among them there are quite exotic and little-studied rodents that live in remote and sparsely populated corners of the planet. There are not many species with which humans have to constantly fight for their territory. The ones found everywhere in Russia can be counted on one hand. The largest and most common species is the gray rat (pasyuk)

. The average body length of adult individuals is 25 centimeters, excluding the tail. The characteristic features of this species are a short tail relative to the body and a fairly wide muzzle with a rounded nose. The coat color is grey. Pasyuk values water in the immediate vicinity of his home, and therefore often settles on the banks of ponds or other water sources. In a metropolis, sewers and basements are the most suitable shelters for them.

Another common species throughout the world is the black rat.

. It is slightly smaller than the pasyuk - its average size is 22 centimeters. But the length of the tail, densely covered with hair, reaches 30 centimeters. It is characterized by large rounded ears and a sharp muzzle. The coat color is usually black-brown with a greenish tint, but there may be other options. The black rat, unlike the gray rat, is not so attached to water, and therefore feels great in any environment. Lives in forests, gardens, parks. In metropolitan areas, it often lives in landfills. He likes to live in attics, for which he received the nickname of the roof rat. However, it could well be called a ship rat, since it is the common inhabitant of sea and river vessels.

The third most widespread rat in the world is the small rat.

. It differs from its relatives in its small size - the length of its body is 15 centimeters. The tail is the same size, but unlike the tails of other species, it is completely naked with visually distinguishable subcutaneous rings, as if encircling the tail at certain intervals. This rat is found in the countries of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.

The long-haired rat lives in the deserts of Australia

. The species is notable for its increased reproductive rates.

Silver belly rat

They are distinguished not only by their bright coloring, unusual for rats, but also by their impressive size. The red back and tail contrast with the light gray belly. An adult grows to the average size of a cat - its body length can reach 40 centimeters.

How long can a pet live without food and water?

When a person acquires a pet, he becomes responsible for it. But an unforeseen circumstance may happen that will force the owner to leave the house, leaving his mouse alone. Then the question arises of how long a pet can survive in extreme conditions without food and water.

In laboratory studies conducted on mice, it was found that their life expectancy without water is affected not only by the availability of food, but also by air humidity. Thus, with minimal levels of water in oxygen, as well as feeding on dry food, rodents can live only for 15–16 days. But if the animal does not receive food and liquid at all, then its life does not last longer than 2 days.

Important! If a rodent exhibits symptoms such as constipation or diarrhea, lethargy and refusal to eat, this may indicate dehydration, which requires immediate contact with a veterinary clinic.

Rat lifespan

To find out how long a rat can live without food or water, it is worth considering its features. The lifespan of rodents is short by human standards.

In favorable conditions, where there is water and food, the animal can live from 2 to 3 years. But many rats do not live to be 1-1.5 years old. This applies to representatives who live in the wild.

The short life expectancy is constantly due to danger, lack of food and other unfavorable factors.

Domesticated rats can live up to 5 years. As rodents age, they develop diseases that cause them discomfort. Over time, they stop being active, try not to leave the house, and sit in the corner. For this reason, this life will feel like survival.

According to scientific research, it has been found that the lifespan of wild rats is half that of their domestic counterparts. A rodent that lived for 7 years was included in the Guinness Book of Records.

If you try, you can extend the life of pet rats by 1-1.5 years.

To do this, you need to provide comfortable living conditions and take the following important measures:

regular cage cleaning;
washing bowls and drinking bowls;
removing food debris from the cage;
feeding with correct and complete food;
disinfection of the pet’s home;
The rodent should be regularly picked up, stroked, and treated to fruits, vegetables, and a piece of cheese.

Video

Rat without water. Interesting Facts

Without water

Many people have probably thought more than once about how long a rat can live without water, but it’s not that long. Although it is a tenacious animal and can quickly adapt to harsh conditions, fluid is an important factor for it.

Without it, a rodent will not live longer than 2-3 days. And the pet will die within 24 hours.

The daily dose of water for rats should be 30-40 ml. If you want to prevent your pet from dying prematurely, check the water bowl regularly and add liquid if necessary.

Wild relatives prefer to inhabit areas that are located near rivers and reservoirs. If an animal does not receive water, then it can replenish it from food. Rodents eat vegetables and fruits, from which they additionally obtain the necessary liquid.

Without food

Wild rats can live without food for a long time. If water is an important condition for life for them, then they can survive without food for a long time. Since rodents are tenacious creatures, their body quickly adapts and gets used to prolonged hunger strikes.

In conditions of severe food shortages, animals can consume wood, grass, dry shoots, and tree leaves. Wild representatives can live without food for several weeks.

But domestic relatives require a special approach; food for them is an important source for a full existence. If you want your pet to be healthy and cheerful, carefully monitor its diet. It can live no more than 2-3 days without food.

His diet should include the following foods:

vegetables;
fruits;
dairy products;
boiled meat;
vitamin and mineral complexes.

The life of a rat is not that long, but even during this period these creatures can cause serious damage to humans. Therefore, you should not rely on the fact that rodents will quickly die and everything will be over, because they multiply quickly.

It is better to start fighting them immediately after the first signs of their activity appear. But as for domestic rats, they require special living conditions that can increase their life expectancy.

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How many years do Djungarian hamsters live in the wild?

The habitat of exotic animals has long been no longer limited to the Chinese provinces. Wild hamsters of this breed have taken root in many regions of Siberia, Kazakhstan, and the Caucasus. The animals are small enough and careful not to catch the eye of humans. Their body length is approximately 10 cm. In the wild, small rodents are exposed to daily threats from larger competitors for food and predators.

In nature, Djungarian hamsters are constantly in search of food. They run over 10 km every day to provide themselves with the necessary amount of food. During the warm season, restless dwarfs actively accumulate food reserves for the winter and create extensive storage facilities in their burrows.

Experts believe that regular stress, constant tension, and every minute expectation of an attack negatively affect the health of hamsters and shorten their lives. As a rule, the Djungarian hamster lives in freedom for no more than one and a half years. Some individuals have high immunity and live 2–2.5 years. Sometimes the age of a hamster can be determined by the number of scars on the body of a hamster. The lifespan of animals directly depends on the presence and combination of several factors:

amount of food in the area where rodents live;
physical condition of hamsters;
predator population density;
weather.

Quite often, wild hamsters suffer from hypothermia or injuries. As a rule, such dwarfs die quickly, despite their age. Hamsters become prey for foxes, stoats, owls or snakes.

How do the life spans of different breeds of rats differ?

To date, several breeds of rats have been bred, which differ in the structure of their fur, color, and location of their ears. There is a breed of tailless rodents. Although the question here is debatable whether they can be distinguished as a separate breed. If you take a few of the most famous breeds, you get the following:

standards - rats similar to wild ones. They can have different colors, for example, a blue rat is distinguished by the azure shade of its fur coat;
bald sphinxes are animals without hair;
rexes have short, curly hair;
Double Rexes are shedding rats with fur of varying lengths;
Dumbo - animals with large “elephant” ears;
anurans;
husky - color like a dog of the same breed;
satin - animals with thin shiny fur.

This is an approximate list that will allow you to identify individual breeds according to their endurance.

White rats of various breeds live the shortest. This is due to the fact that they were bred as laboratory animals, so they have certain damage in their genome. Animals rarely reach 2 years of age.

Sphinxes are quite vulnerable. Lack of fur increases the risk of skin injury and associated infections. The naked body suffers from temperature changes and sunburn.

Tailless individuals lack balance - a rudder, which increases the risk of injury. The tail also serves as protection for the back of the animal.

Bathing

The decorative white rat is an intelligent and clean creature that spends a lot of time cleaning its fur. But sometimes these pets still need additional help from their owners in bathing. Many rodents do not like water treatments. Albinos are afraid of water and can experience stress when in contact with it, which is why it is worth teaching the animal to bathe from a very early age. If the cage is cleaned constantly, then you won’t have to bathe the animal often.

There are people who argue that bathing rats at home is prohibited. But there is another opinion, which indicates the permissibility of infrequent water procedures if all safety conditions are met during the process.

It is necessary to bathe white rats in the following situations:

if the animal is stained with a harmful substance;
when staying in a dirty cage for a long period;
if a rat does not clean its own fur, that is, it is sick or unkempt;
when removing parasites;
several days before the exhibition.

When a domestic rodent does not like water, there is no need to bathe it unless absolutely necessary. If the animal is not too dirty, then you can wash it without using shampoo. During the procedure, it is worth talking to the rat to rid it of fear. It is necessary to refuse bathing if the animal has a cold, as washing can aggravate the disease.

The rat prefers to live in a clean environment; it does not shit where it eats and sleeps, so installing a toilet in the rodent’s cage will not be superfluous. Accordingly, if there are no unnecessary odors and debris in the house, the animal can be bathed less often.

When bathing a white rat, do not forget about such points as:

decorative rodents are prone to diseases of the ENT organs, so keeping the animal in a draft after bathing will lead to illness;
cold indoors, cool water, or undried rat fur can worsen the health of the animal;
if water gets into the ears of an ornamental pet, otitis media and deafness may occur;
the use of detergents can cause changes in the natural odor of the animal, disruption of the barrier function of its skin, and cause dryness and scabies.

It is better to buy a special product for bathing rodents, but if you don’t have one, then you should use shampoo for cats. According to experts, you can use baby detergent to bathe your rat, but it should not contain dyes or fragrances. For the procedure of washing a rodent, it is worth preparing several containers with warm water, shampoo, a towel and a piece of soft cloth that will replace a washcloth. Rats should not be washed under running water; before bathing, their ear canals should be covered.

Immersion of the animal in a container with liquid should be done slowly and carefully, while stroking it and distracting it with conversation. The fur should be carefully moistened with water, and then shampoo should be applied with massaging movements. The detergent should be rinsed off in two containers of water, and then dried with a towel or cloth.

The rat's tail should also be washed, as dirt and dead skin particles accumulate on it. The organ should be moistened with a cotton pad that has been previously soaked in a soap solution. After this, the tail is cleaned with a toothbrush, but gently and without pressing. Next, the organ is washed off with warm water, wiped and lubricated with odorless baby cream.

Which hamster should I buy for my home?

Before you think about caring for your pet, you need to approach the issue of purchasing it correctly. Buy a hamster that is 3 weeks old or less than 6 months old. This is the most successful period, when the rodent is already “adult” enough to break away from its parents, but at the same time it adapts well to new conditions. Newborns or older than six months should not be purchased, as this can lead to serious mental disorders and early death of the rodent.

Also, be sure to ask the breeder everything about the parents of the chosen hamster and about possible hereditary pathologies. If you cannot obtain such information (this is more often the case with cats and dogs), then conduct a full examination, which includes the following points:

tail – dry;
the coat is smooth and has uniform density;
eyes – shiny;
breathing is smooth, without wheezing.

A healthy hamster moves quickly around the cage and responds to touch. In addition, it is ideal to buy a rodent not by hand, but in a specialized store, in order to have a certificate from a veterinarian: such animals often suffer from various dangerous (both for the pet and the owner) diseases.

How long do decorative rats live at home?

Decorative rats are smart, clean, unpretentious animals, do not require complex care and become attached to their owner in almost the same way as dogs. They make wonderful pets, are very playful, can be trained to respond to their name and do tricks, and some are even hypoallergenic.

The usual diet of rodents consists of 80% grain (wheat, corn, rye, millet, rice, oats, buckwheat, barley) and 20% fresh vegetables and herbs (cucumbers, carrots, pumpkin, parsley, dill). There should always be fresh water in the drinking bowl.

The only drawback of these animals is their short lifespan. However, it can increase under satisfactory conditions of detention, if we are talking about domestic species, and the presence of a large amount of food, when we are talking about wild species. For example, in a barn and barn where grain is stored, the gnaw will feel extremely satisfactory and will be able to grow to silent sizes.

How to keep domestic decorative rats?

Rats require the same care as other pets.

The conditions for their detention are as follows:

Cell. The house for the rodent should be made of mesh, spacious, have several floors and a ladder. Rats love movement - add hammocks, wheels and other entertainment in the cage. There must be a separate house for sleeping.

A rodent needs communication; it will get bored when alone. Therefore, purchase two females or two males. Place bedding, a water bowl, a feeder and a bath container in the cage. Do not use wood litter - it contains essential oils that negatively affect the respiratory system of rats.

Cleaning. Every day, clean the rodent’s habitat: change the sawdust, wash the drinking bowl, remove the remaining food.
Walk. Sometimes let the rats out of the cage and let them walk around in the room. But keep rodents away from wires or valuables.
Nutrition. Buy special food at the pet store. 80% of the food is based on dry grains and 20% on fresh vegetables. Sometimes give boiled dietary meat, nuts and dried fruits. Sprouted wheat grains have a positive effect on their health.

Wolf Pack

Relations in the pack are altruistic in nature. Each animal completely subordinates its interests to common needs. Otherwise, the predator community would not have survived. Not only physical characteristics, but also psychological characteristics influence the rank of an animal. This is explained by the fact that the leader must take charge of organizing the hunt and divide the food obtained among his relatives. Older wolves are responsible for the younger ones. Juveniles unquestioningly obey the demands of their older relatives.

There are seven ranks in the pack. Management of community members occurs without forceful influence. A clear organization, distribution of roles, complete freedom of choice to be or not to be in the pack - all this makes the wolf family a highly organized, well-coordinated mechanism. The social status of wolves is associated with the age and sex of the animals. However, these indicators serve only to achieve the set goals. Having caught prey, wolves will never hunt again as long as they have food.

Unit in the pack:

The flock never disputes the right to the first piece of food. A weakened leader will not be able to provide security to his relatives.

The leader has no right to protection. In times of danger, only he decides how to act; the pack always listens to him.

Warriors are the backbone of the pack. They provide food and safety for their relatives. When there is an external threat, only warriors enter into battle. This rank can be occupied by wolves of both sexes. However, a female with puppies never participates in guarding and obtaining food.

A senior warrior can replace the leader if he dies or for some reason cannot lead the pack. He, along with the main wolf, organizes protection and hunting.

An adult female with experience raising wolf cubs is a mother. Its main functions are to take care of the pack's puppies. A female who has whelped does not automatically occupy this rank. When a flock is attacked, it is the mother who takes all weak relatives to safety while the warriors repel the attack.

The eldest female never competes with the main warrior, but if necessary, she takes the place of the leader. When the head of the pack dies, the most worthy animal begins to play his role. At the same time, there are no fights to identify the best contender for the status of leader.

During feeding and raising puppies, all mothers of the pack are under special care.

Reproduction occupies a special place in the life of animals. Once a year, the flock splits into pairs to reproduce. All members of the flock can reproduce. The main condition for this is awareness of one’s role in the pack. Those wolves who did not get a mate help their relatives raise their young and hunt. Pairs are always created for life. If one of the pair dies, the surviving wolf never looks for a partner again.

A guardian is an animal that controls the wolf cubs. There are two subranks. Pestun is a young wolf who is not currently capable of becoming a warrior due to his age or is a young wolf from a previous litter. These animals completely obey their mother and follow her orders. This is how they learn to handle wolf cubs. Being a caregiver is the first stage of education that allows you to acquire the skills you need for life.
Uncle is a male dog with no family. Helps raise young fish.
The signalman is the eyes of the pack. It is he who alerts her to the impending threat. The received information is analyzed by more experienced wolves. Only after this is a decision made on further actions.
The puppy bears no responsibility. His main task is complete obedience. Adult animals show him special care and guardianship.
A disabled person is an elderly person who has the right to protection and food. Wolves always take care of their old relatives.

Factors affecting the lifespan of rats

How many years pet rats live is influenced by both genetic and phenotypic factors.

Genetics

Unfortunately, in most laboratories, people continue to use this method of testing medical and other drugs, such as performing a bioassay on rodents. At the same time, animals not only suffer from pathologies developing in their bodies and side effects from the drugs administered, but are also subjected to specific crossing, as a result of which they acquire genes for obesity, diabetes, cancer and other diseases.

Inbreeding (inbreeding) also has a negative impact on life expectancy. First, developmental abnormalities begin to appear in the cubs. Then such families gradually degenerate due to an increase in the number of non-viable offspring.

Most often, inbreeding is allowed when breeding rats that go to feed other animals. It also occurs among unscrupulous or inexperienced breeders who do not have time to place animals in time after breastfeeding ends or keep a large number of rodents in one cage in order to save money and make a “quick” profit.

It is impossible to completely insure yourself against purchasing a rat with genetic disorders. Therefore, it is worth purchasing animals through special clubs in which people take a responsible approach to the issue of breeding pets.

Features of a specific breed

When breeding a breed, certain parameters are taken as a basis. These include:

coat color and length;
shape and location of the ears;
presence of a tail;
eye color and others.

But external data is determined by genes, which often adversely affect the health of rodents. For example, white rats with red eyes are prone to cancer and allergies, and low immunity rarely allows them to live up to 1.5–2 years.

Representatives of the Dumbo breed are the longest-livers among the breeds. Rats with cute round ears live up to 3–3.5 years. Blue rats and huskies live about the same amount of time.

How long a sphinx will live depends on the conditions of its detention. The lack of fur makes them so sensitive to temperature changes that even slight hypothermia can lead to death or serious pathology. The average life expectancy of sphinxes is from 1.5 to 2 years.

Rexes and representatives of the standard breed usually live up to 2 years.

Feeding and maintenance

The accelerated metabolism of rats requires frequent feeding throughout the day. In addition, nutrition should be complete and varied, contain the necessary vitamins and minerals, as well as a sufficient amount of proteins and fiber.

With insufficient hygiene and irregular replacement of bedding, rodents develop allergic reactions, the body's resistance decreases, and respiratory diseases occur. Therefore, animals that live in poor sanitary conditions, in cold rooms or in drafts, rarely live to be 1–1.5 years old.

In most cases, the lifespan of pet rats that are constantly under stress is no more than 1 year.

The factors that determine life expectancy include the presence of sufficient physical activity. Rodents that are kept in small cages and are deprived of the opportunity to fully move become obese and die quite early.

Dental health

Pet rats' teeth grow throughout their lives. If soft and wet food predominates in the rodent’s diet, then natural grinding does not occur, and the process of eating becomes difficult or completely impossible

That’s why it’s so important that the bulk of the menu consists of solid foods (grains, raw vegetables)

Why do rats live short lives?

The lifespan of different animal species is determined at the genetic level.
It depends on the animal's ability to reproduce. Rats can breed as early as 1.5 months. A rodent can have up to 14 cubs in a litter. A nursing rat is ready to become pregnant and give birth to new offspring. For this reason, animals of different sexes cannot be kept in the same cage: this is an extra burden on the female. Another reason for a short life span is rapid metabolism. Because of this, the rat can die without food within 2 days.

Diseases of domestic rats

The most common diseases of domestic rats that can cause death:

mycoplasmosis;
listeriosis;
ectromelia;
diseases of infectious etiology;
salmonellosis;
pasteurellosis;
diseases of ENT organs.

All these diseases have a favorable outcome if you contact a veterinarian in a timely manner, but if ignored, they can cause the death of the animal.

Therefore, it is very important to monitor your pet’s health

Disease Prevention

As in people, it is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it later, so it is advisable to follow simple preventive tips regarding the care and maintenance of decorative rats:

Regularly clean the rodent's home using cleaning products.
Change the water in the drinking bowl.
Remove leftover food.
Do not use pine filler.
Avoid overheating and hypothermia.
Provide the rat with a balanced diet.

These simple rules will help you avoid many common diseases among these animals.

Health monitoring

If your pet lives with you for a long time, then it will not be difficult to notice any deviations in behavior; such observation is very important, because by paying attention in time, you can identify the disease at an early stage and prevent adverse consequences. What you should be wary of:

What you should be wary of:

apathy;
loss of appetite;
the animal looks lethargic;
refuses to play;
itches;
drags limbs/cannot stand on paws/falls over on side;
shows no interest;
there was discharge from the nose/eyes/ears;
changes in fur cut.

All these signs should alert you and cause you to immediately visit a ratologist or veterinarian

In addition, it is worth paying attention to the nature of the animal’s excrement, this way you can detect helminthic infestations and take the necessary measures in time

Life expectancy of a decorative rat

Research in England has shown that most pets die before they reach 3 years of age. However, this figure is much higher than the age at which wild rats die.

Rats develop rapidly and, unlike other rodents, puberty begins at the age of 6 weeks, and they become adults at 5 months. Each month of a rodent can be equated to 2 years of human life. Based on this, 4 rat years are 120 human years.

What determines the lifespan of a rodent?

First of all, long life is influenced not by the environment and care, but by genetics. Parents who have suffered from the disease will not produce healthy rat pups that will live a long life.

It is recommended to buy an animal in specialized nurseries, where you will be provided with information about the baby’s pedigree, vaccinations and the necessary diet and care if the baby rat has individual characteristics and predispositions.

How to extend the life of a pet?

The longevity of a pet also depends on the conditions in which it is kept. Like other rodents, rats require a spacious cage in which they can spend active time. It is important to install ladders, shelves, tunnels, a lounger, toys and other items that will provide the little rat with not boring leisure time while the owner cannot devote time to him.

Important! If your pet lives in a small cage and leads a sedentary lifestyle, this will soon lead to consequences such as obesity, muscle atrophy and heart disease.

Many breeders keep hamsters in aquariums, which is not the case with rats. The cage should be well ventilated to prevent overheating and dampness in the air. Rats are very clean, so litter also plays an important role.

Important! Do not buy pine litter, avoid sawdust and cotton wool (they will hurt the animal), paper litter and hay (they do not absorb odors). The best option is wood pellets.

The rat's diet should be varied and nutritious: specialized food, vegetables, fruits, and herbs are mandatory components of daily nutrition. Sometimes you can give protein foods , but it is not recommended to abuse them.

position the cage in such a way that the baby rat does not reach indoor plants, as negative substances can cause food poisoning;
never feed your rat food from the table or leftover food;
Water must be given filtered or bottled, but under no circumstances should it be taken from the tap . Even boiled unfiltered water can pose a threat to the health and life of the baby;
The cage must contain a dental stone, which is available at any pet store. It not only saturates with calcium, but also allows you to grind your teeth. If this is not done, then soon the pet will not be able to eat.

It is recommended to bathe your rat only when necessary (no more than once a week). With proper maintenance and timely cleaning, the rat pup does not need the procedure, but in some cases it is still carried out. This must be done carefully so as not to catch a cold, and observe temperature conditions when bathing and drying.

Diseases of domestic rats from which rodents most often die

Despite the fact that during domestication the rats became smarter and calmer, their immunity did not increase. Rodents are often susceptible to diseases, so care must be taken when choosing a place for cages and walks.

It is not recommended to walk with a rat in nature, even using a harness, or to keep it in an open cage in nature. Animals often get diseases that are carried by virus-carrying insects; upon contact with the ground they can develop a fungus;
the most common disease is a cold , which leads to lung problems. A rodent can get it if the cage is in a draft or from hypothermia after bathing;
another disease that affects the lungs and respiratory tract is mycoplasmosis, which is transmitted by airborne droplets, and, unfortunately, cannot be treated;
It is necessary to take preventive measures against worms and ticks , which are not excluded in rodents. If you notice unusual behavior or aggression in a rodent, take it to the vet immediately, as parasites cause scabies and tuberculosis;
Due to a bad environmental situation or poor genetics, tumors are sometimes found in rat pups. If they are benign, then there is nothing to worry about. Malignant ones will have to be treated for a long time and often there is a need for surgery, which not every specialist will undertake.

What determines the lifespan of a hamster?

Living conditions directly affect the duration of the animal's life process. The average lifespan of a hamster depends on the correct diet and maintaining a suitable temperature in the pet’s home, which varies from 20 to 22 degrees. In order for the health of the animal to always remain normal, it needs good nutrition. It will be necessary to introduce special food into the diet with the correct ratio of vitamins and minerals. It is advisable to periodically feed hamsters with vegetables and fruits.

The size of the cage should be such that the pet can move a lot. The hamster needs to choose a permanent place for arranging its living and playing space; frequent movements can cause stress in the animal. The room where the hamster is most of the time must be protected from drafts and direct sunlight. Under no circumstances should you bathe ornamental rodents, as this will make them sick and die.

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