How Cold Can Rats Get?
WouterRats are known to be able to tolerate a range of temperatures, including extremely cold temperatures. However, if your rat has a history of cold-related behavior, it’s wise to take steps to ensure that your rat is safe and comfortable. To help reduce your rat’s discomfort, you can offer frozen treats, place ice in its cage, and provide the animal with an area where it can lie down to cool down.
The optimal temperature range for rats is between sixty and seventy degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature above this range may lead to heat stress, which can lead to dehydration and even death. Signs of heat stress in rats include lack of energy, panting, and a lack of appetite. Often, they will also lose their ability to drink water, and may even experience convulsions.
During the winter, rats will generally spend most of the day in the warmest part of their cage. This is because they will tend to share each other’s body heat. Moreover, they will not move around much if they are too cold, which makes it important to keep their cages warm enough.
Rats can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but they generally avoid being indoors in hot weather. Temperatures in attics can reach up to 150 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, while outside air temperature is only 95 to 97 degrees. During summer, rats will spend most of their time outdoors and will only come into the house at night.
