A Rat typically lives 2–3 years. Most of what determines whether it gets there is routine care rather than anything dramatic.
What “friendly” means day to day
The Rat is described as friendly, intelligent. Of those, friendly is the one that shapes an ordinary day most. It is easy to read as a selling point and harder to live with than the word suggests, because it does not switch off when you are busy.
A breed from Fancy rat, living in India
The Rat was developed in Fancy rat. The part that travels badly is rarely temperament - it is the coat and the tolerance for heat. Plan the year around that and most of the rest follows.
Balancing friendly against intelligent
Breeds described as both friendly and intelligent need the two managed together rather than separately. With a tiny animal that usually means a predictable routine first and training second - the routine is what makes the training stick.
Keep the records
Booster schedules run from the original dates, and a new vet asks for the history first.
Planning for about 2 years
A Rat is with you for about 2 years. Budget and routine both need to survive that, including the last quarter of it when a tiny animal needs more veterinary attention than it did young.
The annual check
Once a year for an adult animal, and book it before the hot months rather than during them.
Exotics vets
Find one before you need one; not all clinics see these species.
