Prevent Pet Rat Heatstroke: Summertime Tips for Your Rats’ Care

Prevent pet rat heatstroke easily by following a few simple guidelines. Overheating is a matter of life and death: Rats don’t have sweat glands. Since they can’t sweat, excessive heat is dissipated through their tails. Some believe that rats born in hotter months have longer tails. Their longer tails give them more tail surface to release the extra heat. Keep in mind that wild rats are nocturnal. This makes them more used to cooler weather rather than full sun and heat.

How to tell if your rat is hot:

Besides simply feeling your rat’s body temperature, you’ll discover your rat has turned into a “pancake” if it’s too hot. By “pancake” I mean they literally flatten themselves out. Similar to cats and dogs, your rat will stretch out and lie as elongated as possible on top of surfaces rather than inside any boxes, hanging beds or other hideouts. When hot, their tail will also be hot to the touch.

Pet rats should be kept in a room no warmer than 80°, preferably cooler. If you’re not sure of the temperature, place a thermometer in the room. Always keep your rats’ cage away from direct sunlight. Even in colder months, sunshine can heat up the cage making it uncomfortable and even dangerous.

When the days get toasty, here’s how to prevent pet rat heatstroke:

1. Close windows, drapes and blinds during the day
2. Freeze water in plastic water bottles or even plastic gallon jugs. You can also use plastic food containers with lids. Place the frozen water in their cage so your rat can choose to lie next to or on top of the icy containers. Have two sets of plastic containers available, so that you always have a set of completely frozen ones in the freezer. Replace the containers in the cage once the water becomes warm and is melting.
3. Offer your rats cooling treats such as frozen peas, watermelon and cantaloupe. A fun game is “pea diving” which combines a frozen treat with water: Fill a glass casserole dish with about an inch of water. Place frozen peas in the water and let your rats begin diving for peas.
4. Sprinkle or mist your pet rats with water. (Water should be a normal room temperature, neither excessively hot nor cold.)
5. Use a fan to keep the air circulating. As long as they’ve been sprinkled or spritzed with water, the fan will cool your rats. (Otherwise the fan will just be blowing warm air on them.)
6. If the room temperature is over 80 degrees and/or if your rats appear uncomfortable, they need to be moved to a cooler spot. If their regular cage is too large to move, a smaller cage or a carrier can be placed on the floor of the coolest room in your house or apartment.
7. If there isn’t a cooler spot for your rats at home, take them over to stay in a friend’s house that’s air conditioned.
8. Never ever leave your rats inside a parked car in the summer. Despite parking in the shade, temperatures can still escalate quickly inside a car. This is true even if you’ve cracked the windows. If you need to take your rats with you while you’re out running errands, use a shoulder bag and take them in with you rather than leaving them in the car. (On the Road with Rats gives further information on using a shoulder bag.)

Signs of pet rat heatstroke

• • Drooling
  • Open-mouthed breathing
  • Lethargy, weakness, reluctance to move, limp body

What to do if your rat experiences heatstroke:

Remove your rat from the hot area immediately, handling her as gently as possible. Begin cooling your rat slowly by sprinkling water over her fur. (The water should be at a moderate temperature—right in between hot or cold.) You can also gently rub water onto your rat’s ears, hands, feet and tail.

Cool off your rat GRADUALLY to prevent further complications. If cooled off too quickly or if cooled too much, life-threatening conditions can result. Place your rat on a wet towel inside the carrier you use to take your rat to the vet.

Phone your vet to let them know you’re on your way and that your rat may have suffered from heat stroke. The reason it’s good to call first is it gives your veterinarian advance notice so they can quickly work you into their schedule the moment you arrive. Your call also helps allow the technicians time to prepare essential supplies and equipment.

When you enter your veterinary clinic, a technician, assistant or receptionist will be ready to immediately take your rat to the treatment area. Usually fluids and possibly oxygen will be administered. Your veterinarian will want to keep your rat under observation for at least an hour in case further signs of damage appear and to make sure your rat recovers as fully as possible. Internal organs can be damaged and some symptoms may not appear right away. Once you bring your rat home, you’ll want to monitor closely and report any changes and concerns to your vet immediately.

Hopefully, you’ll be able to prevent pet rat heatstroke by using the above tips for keeping your pet rats cool. If you do end up needing to take an overheated rat to the vet, you’ll know to call ahead, how to transport your rat and what to expect when you get there.

updated 7/12/23