Breed guide
Rat Terrier
American farm dog. Hardy, friendly, astonishingly long-lived. One of the healthiest breeds with the fewest hereditary problems.
AKC Rank
#86
Size
small (10-25 lbs)
Life Expectancy
12-18 yrs
Activity
high
Feeding a Rat Terrier
American farm terrier. ~400-700 kcal/day. Remarkably healthy and long-lived breed.
Key nutrients
- •dental support
- •high-quality protein
Portion notes: Two meals daily. Adjust for size (wide range in this breed).
Fresh food picks for Rat Terriers
Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for small dogs.
The Farmer's Dog
Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog
- •Human-grade fresh food
- •Portioned per dog
- •Vet-developed recipes
- •50% off first box
Ollie
Fresh food with both cooked and baked recipes
- •Fresh and baked recipes
- •Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken proteins
- •Custom portions
- •60% off first box
Nom Nom
Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing
- •Pre-portioned pouches
- •Vet-formulated
- •Microbiome testing available
- •50% off first order
Spot & Tango
Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice
- •Fresh or UnKibble options
- •Human-grade ingredients
- •Shelf-stable storage option
- •50% off first order
First-year cost
What a Rat Terrier actually costs year one
Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).
First-year total
$2,275-$5,400
Ongoing years run $1,560-$3,740 (no gear + training one-times).
Food (year one)
Fresh food subscription
$900-$1,500
Gear (one-time)
Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys
$240-$360
Vet care
Wellness + breed-specific
$660-$1,400
Grooming
low grooming needs
$0-$120
Training
Puppy class + supplies
$225-$750
Supplements
Breed-matched, optional
$0-$720
Other first-year
Vaccines, neuter, DNA test
$250-$550
Pet insurance (estimate)
Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.
$592-$1,036/yr
Estimates based on US market averages for small dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.
Supplements for Rat Terriers
Matched to this breed's common health concerns. All NASC-sealed.
Cosequin (Nutramax)
The #1 vet-recommended joint supplement
- •#1 vet-recommended
- •NASC Quality Seal
- •Glucosamine + chondroitin
- •Clinically studied
Zesty Paws Allergy & Immune
Seasonal allergy + immune support chews
- •NASC Quality Seal
- •Seasonal allergy support
- •Salmon oil for skin
- •Chewable, dogs love them
Supplements support — they don't treat or cure disease. Talk to your vet for anything clinical.
Health concerns to watch
One of the longest-lived breeds (up to 18 years) with proper care.
Versatile size range (Miniature vs Standard).
Farm-bred prey drive means secure fencing is essential.
Generally very healthy with few breed-specific issues.
Is your Rat Terrier scratching?
Rat Terriers are prone to skin and allergy issues. Take our 2-minute itch triage quiz.
Gear for Rat Terriers
Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.
Crate
for Rat Terriers
Harness
for Rat Terriers
Bed
for Rat Terriers
Collar
for Rat Terriers
Leash
for Rat Terriers
Slow feeder bowl
for Rat Terriers
Chew toy
for Rat Terriers
As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.
Training for Rat Terriers
Matched to Rat Terrier temperament (friendly, lovable, inquisitive).
BAXTER & Bella
Online puppy training program, lifetime access
- •Lifetime membership
- •Self-paced video lessons
- •Puppy + adult content
- •Behavior troubleshooting
GoodPup
1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers
- •1-on-1 live video sessions
- •Certified trainers
- •Custom per-dog plan
- •Weekly structure
Dogo
App-based training with daily structure
- •App-based daily plans
- •AI-guided feedback
- •Affordable monthly cost
- •Trick training library
GPS trackers for Rat Terriers
Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.
Fi
Smart collar with GPS + activity tracking
- •Real-time GPS
- •Activity + sleep tracking
- •Escape alerts
- •3-month battery
Tractive
Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range
- •Attaches to any collar
- •Worldwide GPS coverage
- •Activity monitoring
- •Budget-friendly
Curious about their DNA?
Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.
Embark
The most comprehensive dog DNA test
- •350+ breeds identified
- •250+ health conditions screened
- •Cornell-partnered science
- •Relatives finder
Wisdom Panel
Breed identification + health screening
- •350+ breeds
- •Genetic health insights
- •Budget-friendly option
- •Fast results
Rat Terrier questions, answered
How long do Rat Terriers live?▾
How big do Rat Terriers get?▾
How much exercise does a Rat Terrier need?▾
What health problems do Rat Terriers commonly have?▾
Are Rat Terriers hard to groom?▾
What should I feed a Rat Terrier?▾
Are Rat Terriers good for first-time owners?▾
Ask Barkly about your Rat Terrier
Get personalized answers about food, health, and care.