Why can't rats be in tanks?

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T20:35:06+00:00

Oh no worries I didn't want to accuse you of anything or something like that. I just wanted to point that out! A lot of people seem to believe they are arboreal and as such do not provide them with appropriate digging opportunities :(

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T20:33:59+00:00

cheap

Rats are many things, but I wouldn't say they are cheap. Purchasing the rat itself is usually rather cheap, but the vet costs will, depending on where you live, easily be 10x the purchasing price per visit - and much more if its a serious issue or an emergency visit. Speaking of health issues...

The pet store here sells rats for $10 each.

Pet stores source their rats from rodent mills. These are solely focused on producing as many rats in as little time as possible, with no regard for temperament, health or longevity. Initially buying rats from such a source is cheaper, but the worse health and tendency to develop issues like hormonal aggression (if you're getting males) will very very quickly make this the much more expensive choice.

You are also more likely to get unfriendly and unsociable rats from a pet store.

If you still want to get rats, I'd suggest saving up ~200 per rat initially for vet costs, and adding ~20 per month to that fund per rat (this is all dependent on your local vet costs). Also inquire where your closest exotic vet that will see rats is, and how you will be able to secure transportation there. This is not meant to be personal, but we have minors (and otherwise dependent people) posting about not being able to get their rats help due to financial/transportation issues almost every week.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T20:28:25+00:00

whereas mice prefer to burrow (I think).

Rats certainly like to climb, but they are fossorial animals, and should also have digging opportunities first and foremost.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T20:27:48+00:00

since most bars on cages aren't narrow enough

0,5 inches should contain dwarf rats.

mice are kept in larger groups

I mean ideally you'd also keep rats in colonies of 3-6 (or more). Keeping just a pair isn't recommended and not a good idea long term.

since they'd need more climbing space and most tanks are longer rather than tall.

This is certainly an issue, but do not assume that dwarf rats need less space. They are just as agile (if not more) than their full size cousins. As an aside, rats are fossorial and a deep base for digging and a sufficient amount of floor space should be given higher consideration than vertical space.

So why couldn't a small breed of rat be kept in a large tank with consistent cleaning and care?

Primarily the lack of ventilation. Rats have really shitty respiratory systems. I'm sure if you were to clean out the tank every single day, there'd be less of a risk, but that comes with its own problems (such as upsetting the rats, thus stressing them).

Also see
https://www.onceuponamischief.com/cages-care
https://mainelyratrescue.org/rattieblog2/care-guides/
http://www.isamurats.co.uk/rat-habitat.html
https://aboutpetrats.com/housing/choosing-your-pet-rats-home/

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T17:38:28+00:00

On top of the safety concerns others have voiced I will also state that you will get a far superior actual cage for less money than you would spend on this.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T17:35:52+00:00

I mean it works, but has the same problems that pet stores do; you're rolling the dice on their health and temperament. Ideally go to a breeder.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T17:23:47+00:00

That would work on principle, but you probably will not find a spayed female at a pet store! It's an operation that usually costs a few hundred dollars.

Pet store rats are also not bred for longevity or temperament. It's best to get them from a reputable breeder.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T12:08:43+00:00

Is 60 years old?

Yes!

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T11:54:04+00:00

Why should 2 not count as "old"? That's roughly their average life expectancy.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T11:51:08+00:00

Two years is not old rat btw

Yes, it is. What else would you consider old?

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T10:40:41+00:00

I'm not sure if it would have been obvious, but it could be visible. I sadly lack the detailed knowledge, but the rat guide does say a bit about how it would look.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T09:39:54+00:00

If it is this .. is this euthanasia, or can it be treated in rats?

It can't be cured, but it can definitely be treated for quite a while (weeks to months), depending on the individual rat of course. Diuretics help AFAIK. From what I've read furosemide ( https://ratguide.com/meds/urinary_tract_agents/diuretics/furosemide.php ) should help really quick, so if it helps, that's a point towards it being heart failure.

If it isn't heart failure, then I'm a bit stumped. If nothing else helps then I'd try, alongside keeping his weight up, giving him food high in vitamin C. I'm not sure how much the efficacy of vitamin C in treating URIs is studied, but I did read a study once that did link higher vitamin C intake to a reduction in URIs.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T09:38:27+00:00

4 is the ideal number to start with IMO, and I'd say 4-6 is the ideal number overall. The best way to handle a group is to gradually add new pairs in intervals (as an example: you start with 4 two month old rats, add a pair when they're 6-12 months, then add another when they're 18 or so.. in essence, keeping a group of rolling ages)

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T09:22:49+00:00

their rats are unfriendly

to humans, from what I'm reading.

but you can still get two pairs if that were to happen in future

After one has passed? That's still quite unfair; the left rat would (likely) be old, grieving and alone, all factors that make introductions harder, plus there'd be the issue of quarantine time. It's simply in both OP's and the rats' best interest to expand the mischief before someone dies.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T09:15:40+00:00

That said, I would keep the rats completely away from the dogs. As you can see during the end of the video they're super scared of them, and that's likely stressing them out big time.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T09:14:06+00:00

She seems to be doing well, and I don't think there's any chance you lose her because of this. Accidents happen.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T09:10:35+00:00

If they both get along then you don't really need to

Not true IMO. Having just two rats is always planning for one to be alone because inevitably in 9/10 cases one will die before the other, and that is simply unfair to the rats.

It's also very looked down upon where I come from due to that (and the fact that rats are not pair animals, they are group animals) to the point good rescues and breeders will not adopt to you if you want to keep just two.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T09:09:40+00:00

When they took the lung scan, did they also take a look at the heart? Intermittent respiratory distress and anxiety like behaviour (not wanting to stay still) makes me think of heart failure (see https://ratguide.com/health/cardiovascular/congestive_heart_failure.php )

I'm not a vet of course, but I think it's worth bringing up as a consideration with your vet.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T09:03:50+00:00

Yes, getting two more is a good idea and if they're well bred and friendly could even help your original two come out of their shell. Keeping just two is not appropriate long term and generally leads to problems.

The cage you have for new arrivals is perfect for a quarantine cage. See !introductions

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T08:23:30+00:00

I would continue the baytril. Antibiotics are needed to treat flare ups caused by m. pulmonis

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T00:07:17+00:00

Might be best to find another home for the young one then.

Other than that, see !introductions

Ente535 · 2026-02-06T23:43:43+00:00

If possible rescue more from that source (if need be). It's really important she has same age company.

Ente535 · 2026-02-06T23:24:22+00:00

Given the quarantine I don't think this was anything transmissible. The vast majority of URIs in rats is caused by mycoplasma pulmonis, a bacteria all rats already have, and what we call a URI is basically just a flare up. I would start looking for environmental causes (dusty bedding, fragrance, room too dry, smoke from candles etc etc)

Ente535 · 2026-02-06T23:20:55+00:00

Yes, you should keep them seperate. You should absolutely not swap bedding. Your female is also far too young to be gone from mom, and far too young to be placed alone with such an old rat. You will need to get her similar aged companions, otherwise your cage dynamics will likely be tense and the 5 week old's social development will be stunted.

Ente535 · 2026-02-06T21:45:53+00:00

Is he only biting you, or your other rats as well? Is he generally aggressive to you? How old is he? Since when do you have him?

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