Euthanasia This is by far and away the most difficult decision we as animal guardians need to make about our beloved animals. This is the one and only thing we truly HATE about having animals. It can be very hard to know when it is time to help your rat cross to the other side. For us, we have always used food as the final factor when deciding our rat's fate. If we have tried every medicine available to help our rat, and he/she is still declining, we wait for that time when he/she will no longer want to eat, even if we offer him/her their favorite treats. If a rat is still willing and wanting to eat, then they still have some modicum of joy in their life. However, when they no longer have the desire to do their most favorite activity in the world, eating, then we feel that their spirit has finally left them and that it is time to help their body to follow. This is of course a very personal decision that every animal guardian needs to make on there own, but the above is our method for making this decision. When the sad time does come where you might need to have a rat euthanized, be careful! When you go to the vet, insist that your vet be the one to perform the euthanasia, not a technician. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES allow your vet to euthanize your rat with an injection to the heart, without FIRST sedating your rat. This is an unbelievably painful shot, and can take several tries before hitting the rat's tiny heart. You do not want your rat conscious for this. Tell your vet that you want your rat to be anesthetized first before ANY euthanasia technique is done. A good vet will respect your wishes. If they refuse, go somewhere else.