I did this just last week. I'd say the rat was dead for at the MOST 45 mins, and I threw it in the freezer. This week, I offered the rat (thawed out), she didn't take it while I was dangling it on the tongs, so I just left in there, she ate it once I gave her privacy. It's been 48+ hours, and she's hasn't regurged. I would say the most time I'd go would be an hour.