Saying Goodbye - What Are My Options?
Saying goodbye is the hardest part of rat ownership. If you are viewing this page because of a recent loss, my heart breaks for you. Rats are fantastic pets and it hurts so much because they bring so much love and joy. I hope that once the grief subsides you remember them fondly. I also hope that this article helps your decision-making and makes things a little bit easier.
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As rat owners, we are faced with loss quite regularly, especially if we have a larger group. As such, we often require a more pragmatic approach even though it may feel morbid at times. They are also a social species, so we also need to make a plan to avoid a lone rat. This article will cover euthanasia, your options once they have passed away, and different approaches to the end of rat-keeping.
End of Life Care
When a rat is in palliative care and still has a good quality of life, it's a good idea to balance soaking up the time you have left with them with cuddling and allowing them time to be a rat, express their natural behaviours and interact with their friends. You can evaluate their quality of life by looking at their ability to eat, drink, move, groom, and how bright they are in of themselves.
But if you notice that your rat is struggling, has little quality of life and there is no hope for improvement, then euthanasia is the most humane thing that we can offer them. Passing away naturally can take hours or days, and is not a comfortable process for your pet. Humane euthanasia is the final gift that we can give our pet so that their life is filled with minimal pain, frustration or suffering.
You may hear the phrase "better a day/week too soon than a day too late". This is because people often regret leaving a euthanasia decision for too long, but rarely a touch early. Rats can deteriorate rapidly, so the suggestion is that you let them go before they're suffering, or have experienced minimal suffering.
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If you have decided to book your pet in for euthanasia, the vet will usually use an anaesthetic gas and then give the rat a final injection that stops their heart. There are public health restrictions with the anaesthetic gas, so you will not be allowed in the room while your rat is sedated. Some practices offer to bring the anaesthetised rat back into the room for you to hold while the injection is administered, however there have been cases of the rat beginning to wake up which has caused further distress. Some practices may use an injectable anaesthetic.​​ In any case, ensure that the rat is anaesthetised before having the injection in their heart as otherwise this is very painful.
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If you decide not to euthanise your pet and believe that they may be about to die, keep a very close eye as rats have a natural instinct to 'clean up', so you may find that the rat who has passed away has been buried or partially/mostly consumed. If this happens, try not to hold it against your other rats as they are only doing what is natural for them based on instinct.
Once Your Rat Has Passed
Once your rat has passed, there are a range of options in terms of what you do with their body and how you remember them. If you cannot cremate or bury them for a period of time or haven't decided what you would like to do, it is recommended to keep them chilled or frozen. You can wrap them up and keep them in a carrier if you have space. Alternatively, the vet may be able to keep hold of them for you, just note that this is usually for a set period of time only.
If the circumstances surrounding your pet's death are suspicious, you may choose to have a necropsy completed and potentially have samples sent off for testing. This can help with decision-making, especially if other rats in the group are showing similar symptoms that are not yet under control. There is a cost attached, of course, but it is worthwhile if it will be useful.
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1. Individual cremation - the vet can facilitate this, or you can arrange cremation independently. This is the more expensive form of cremation, but you will receive their ashes back. You can arrange to have the ashes returned in a scatter tube, or in something else like a box with an engraved plaque. You are more likely to have them back home sooner if you arrange the cremation yourself and book in advance where possible (in the case of planned euthanasia).
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2. Group cremation - again, the vet can facilitate this or you can make arrangements yourself. It is a cheaper form of cremation, but you will not receive their ashes back. People who have very large groups of rats may choose to have a freezer to store their deceased pets in (kept wrapped and bagged), then arrange for a group cremation with just their rats. It is worth contacting your local crematorium before doing this to ensure that it is something they would be willing to do. Bear in mind that the cost will be more for cremation, but will work out cheaper per individual. You will also have the running costs of the freezer.
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3. Burial - you can bury your rat in the ground or in a plant pot. If you are burying them in the ground, try to dig a hole as deep as possible, then cover the site with something heavy. If you are using a plant pot, use a large pot with a large heavy plant. Be aware that they may be dug up by a cat or fox. If this happens, use disposable gloves and ideally a mask to rebury them more securely. Some people bury them in a pot and keep them somewhere more secure (eg. a garage) for a couple of months, but this does not necessarily prevent them from being dug up once moved back out.
4. Disposal - if you would like to dispose of your rat in the bin or an equivalent, please be mindful that this can come under hazardous materials and it may not be allowed by your council. Check your council's website for guidance. Do not bury or leave your pet in a public space. There is a greater chance that they will be dug up and it is not fair on other members of the public. Euthanised pets also pose a risk to wildlife because of the drugs used.
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I choose to remember my rats through ink prints, group cremation of multiple rats (Cherry Tree Crematorium is fantastic in mid-Kent), and scattering in one of my favourite walking spots (I have permission). There are a range of small businesses that make keepsakes and there is something for everyone. You can even make your own, such as a scrapbook!
Not Keeping Rats Anymore
As rats are a social species, it is important to plan in advance for if/when you intend on not keeping rats anymore so that no one is left on their own. Here are some options along with pros and cons.
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​Personally, I would suggest homing out the final two rats together. Bear in mind that sudden passings can and do occur and some rats have a knack for just carrying on, so you can't always use someone slowing down as a marker for starting to plan. I will always do my best to support my pet homes, however I cannot promise to be a 100% reliable safety net as I may not have capacity for a variety of reasons, including lack of space (especially when I have older litters + returnees), being away, or even quarantining. Please help me to help you by letting me know as soon as possible if/when you decide not to keep Lurelin rats anymore so that we can make a plan together. If you have rats from another breeder and not me, then keep them informed. If the rats are from a rescue, the rescue may be able to help. Be careful on rehoming websites and pages and be sure to vet the home thoroughly. You can use the questions on my homing form for ideas if you're unsure of what to ask, then ask for a proof of set up.
