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The Death of your pet rat ...

I always say that the only bad point to keeping rats is that they don't live longer like cats and dogs do, because it seems so unfair that an animal with such personality has such a short life span. However there is nothing anyone can do to change this, because although you can breed for long-livety a rat will never really live longer then four years.

In the past I have lost many of my great rat companions and it is never easy and it never gets any easier, but it is a natural part of life that you have to come to terms with. I hope this page will help you do this.

In March 2001 just before my birthday I lost my beloved rat - Perdie, she was the first pet I had bought myself and I adored her, she was so very special that it took me months and months to come to terms with her death. I still get teary when ever I have to do anything to her page on this website, because the photos remind me of her. People around you who aren't animal people or who don't understand about rats often regard your mourning as stupid or eccentric... "How can anyone possible get so upset about a rat!?" that's because they don't understand but I and every other person who has owned or met these delightful little creatures will understand that losing a rat is a very hard thing.

Perdie had to be put to sleep and didn't go quietly making the whole thing a lot more upsetting and of course I cried a lot, which I think is important. It allows you to get all of you emotion out and show your sadness. On occasions when I have needed to cry about a death but haven't been able to because of the shock etc I always feel pent up and I think this is quite an unhealthy state to be in (for me anyway).

I also find it helps to burry my rats and to make a gravestone for them it allows you to commemorate them and show your love for them. When Perdie died I brought my other rats a brand new cage which was much bigger and I joined the NFRS this helped me show my other rats how much I loved them and to get more involved in them.

There is no text book way to get over the death of a pet rat, but time will help you, you will always miss them but they are still with you, in your memories and photographs. And you can console yourself with the knowledge that you have given them the best life you know how and that in return they have taught you so much, which in time will help you be an even better owner for the next little rats which come into your life.

I hope this helps you and that you find a peaceful out look on the situation again soon.

Emily.

Last updated 26th August 2008

All photo's and some art work are produced by me, unless stated otherwise. Please do not take any of my art work or photos as allot of work has gone into them. If you do wish to use some of my art/gifs/photos then please email me for permission first.

Disclaimer = I do not claim to be an authority on rodents or rats and any information on this page is just opinions and advice and is by no means a substitute for good books or veterinary advice. All the toys on the toys page are just ideas and may not have been tried out so it is up to you to implement them and judge there safety.