How to extend the life of rats?

>mom owned pet rats
>hate the little shits
>grow to love them because it's inevitable with pet rats
>mom dies
>pet rats are the only living part of her I have left
>1st rat dies a month later
>learn that rats have a 2-3 year lifespan
>spend over 2 grand over in total trying to keep the last one alive
>get him golden milk
>feed him extremely healthy food
>let him out for large periods of the day, is always allowed free roam time when I'm home
>give him extra vitamins just in case oxbow wasn't enough
>take him to the vet constantly, pay for rare rat oriented medicine from the UK
>get him 3 friends so he's never alone and has constant stimulation
>fast forward to yesterday, not even a year later
>didn't come out of his hammock when I brought him his treats
>mfw

I have never felt this shattered since my mother died, how do I prevent this from happening to the remaining 3 for as long as possible?

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  1. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    my condolences, OP

  2. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    Sorry about your mom OP.

  3. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    Caloric restriction and breeding them later in life. Caloric restriction can drastically increase their lives, and breeding later will increase the average lifespan over multiple generations.

  4. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    Breed him

  5. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    You are alive and the son of your mother anon...do the math

  6. 2 years ago
    Anonymous
  7. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    >learn that rats have a 2-3 year lifespan
    They can live a lot longer with a non-shitty diet.

  8. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    wrap the rope around your neck and kick the bucket so the rats will live longer than you

  9. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    Anon, everything has its end. I know that's kind of sad, but that's why we have to make the best of the time we have. Be happy you gave him a good life and had a lot of fun. nature has to take its course, and the reaper always gets his due.

    It'll be alright.

  10. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    F. You keep that rat colony going anon

  11. 2 years ago
    Anonymous
  12. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    selectively breed rats for dozens of generations

  13. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    OP I know you love your rats and giving them a good home is important but please don't get attached to the life span of critters that don't live long. If you want a large rat that loves long try a possum next time. They live much longer in captivity when taken care of someone like you. Your rat will come back to you spiritually anon. Pets always do.

    • 2 years ago
      Anonymous

      Possums only live for 2 or 3 years too, anon.

      • 2 years ago
        Anonymous

        Some have made it to 8 in captivity.

  14. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    >spend over 2 grand over in total trying to keep the last one alive
    moron moment

    • 2 years ago
      Anonymous

      You shouldn't be allowed to own a pet if you can't afford to keep it alive, OP did the right thing if he was spending within his means

  15. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    Breed long life rats.
    >Breed 2 rats, save the whole litter (say 6) and breed the litter
    >Wait and see how long the 6 original parents live for and stop breeding the lines with the earlier dying parents.
    >Breed the line with the longest living parent
    >Repeat until you have a line of rats that live for 20+ years

    Please do this.

  16. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    You have to cope gay. there's always positives and negatives with owning a pet. owning rat is like renting a really good game from blockbuster. You won't be able to enjoy it for long.

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