When a rat becomes very old or ill to the point where it is not humane to keep him alive, it is time to consider euthanasia. Euthanasia is also an option, albeit a last resort, when a veterinary procedure is required that the owner cannot afford. Only a veterinarian can perform a humane euthanasia, never attempt to end your rat’s suffering yourself.
The euthanasia solution (which varies from hospital to hospital), is usually an overdose of barbiturates. Only a small amount is needed to euthanize a rat. When it comes time for your rat to be euthanized, your veterinarian will hold him gently in a towel and inject the solution into its abdomen. The rat will feel as if it is very tired, then it will fall asleep, and pass on in its sleep. This usually takes anywhere from one to ten minutes, since it takes slightly longer for the solution to absorb in the abdomen than an intravenous injection.
Unlike dogs and cats, rat’s veins are too small to humanely inject into, so the only option is an intraperitoneal (into the abdominal cavity) injection. This is no more painful than an injection in any other site. The rat may squeak or squirm when injected, as can be expected. If you think this might bother you or cause too much stress on your rat, you may ask your veterinarian to use gas anesthesia to sedate your rat before the injection.
Inhumane options include drowning, electrocution, freezing, decapitation, and intracardiac injections. If you need to have your rat put to sleep and you cannot afford it, please give it to an animal shelter so that they may do so in a cruel-free way.
