Dry bedding Hammocks Small water bottle Food bowl Toys such as ropes, tubes, baskets, and boxes Litter trays
Shredded paper is a good bedding material for your rat, though it will need to be changed often. You can also use cloth bedding, such as old clothes, as long as the material does not unravel easily. Stay away from aromatic cedar or pine. This bedding can damage your rat’s liver and respiratory system.
If you want to make a rat hammock, you can use fleece or t-shirt fabric cut into squares or rectangles. Hang the hammock with safety pins, so the hammock is secured. You can also buy rat hammocks at many pet stores. Rats will occasionally chew in their hammocks, so it’s important to have the hammocks be made of materials that cannot be easily chewed through. Otherwise, it’s possible your rat could fall from the hammock onto the floor of the cage.
Secure your water bottle to the side of the cage so it won’t fall. Rats will chew on the water feeder, so place a protective covering such as a can or small plastic bowl on top of the bottle if the rats can get to the bottle. It may even be useful to have multiple water bottles, especially if you may not be around your rat on a consistent basis. This way they will always have plenty of water.
Food bowls can be easily spilled, so make sure it is secured in the cage. You can use a food hopper that dispenses food if spillage is a problem for your pet rat. Have separate bowls for wet and dry food for your rat. Additionally, remove any perishable food so it does not begin to go bad while in the cage.
Put in a wheel runner for your pet rat. Female rats tend to run more than male rats, but both gender should use it. Give plenty of climbing toys. Rats love to climb, so make sure they are able to climb up ropes and ladders while in their cage. Provide your rats with digging options as rats love to dig. If your cage doesn’t have a deep base to contain the substrate, you can use a large cardboard box with a suitable digging material such as paper bedding, shredded paper, or coco coir. Rats need plenty of mental stimulation, so toys like mazes, toilet rolls, and paper balls can be great for them. They like solving puzzles, so any toys that make them do that can be beneficial for your pet rat. [6] X Research source Make sure that the toys are safe for your rat to chew on. For example, toys made out of plastic might not be safe to eat. [7] X Expert Source Brian StarrRat Specialist & Breeder Expert Interview. 27 April 2021.
It takes rats awhile to get comfortable. However, they should settle into their new rat cage pretty quickly. Your rat may need additional supplies once they get in the cage. Observe your rat to see if you need anything else.
Aquariums and plastic enclosures keep in dust and ammonia in the cage. These can make your rat sick because they are not getting enough fresh air. Wire cages, made of either plastic or metal, are better for giving your rat plenty of fresh air. A solid body bottom, rather than wire bottom, can be better for your rat’s feet.
If you have a wire cage bottom, your pet rat can contract bumblefoot. This condition can cause swelling and infection in your pet rat’s feet. You can buy plastic laminate, which is used on kitchen floors, in wire cages to protect your pet rat’s feet. This material can be purchased at most hardware stores.
If you have a plastic cage, make sure the plastic can be cleaned without cracking. Plastic cages that crack will not last as long as those that stay in good shape. Metal cages need PVC coating to avoid rust. However, PVC coating will still wear, but not as quickly or thoroughly as metal cages without finish.
Shelves and doors should be easy for you to reach. Your rat should not be closed in by the size and shape of the cage. The door of the cage should easily pop open so you rat can come out or you can take them out. If you have to move your hand around too much to reach your rat, the cage may be too small and cause you to squeeze your rat when taking them out.
For baby rats, bar spacing of about 1/2 inch is ideal. For adult rats, up to 1 inch spacing between bars is better. Consider the size of your rat when choosing the bar spacing. You may need to get a bigger cage with different bar spacing as your rat grows up.
Baby rats are about 1. 25 inches at birth. They are also blind and without fur. By two weeks, they can see and begin growing fur. [10] X Research source A cage that is too large for a baby rat can be intimidating for them. They want to feel safe and comfortable, but may feel exposed to predators in a large cage. Cages for baby rats will not last long. After about three months, they will outgrow a small cage. You can use a rat carrier or travel housing as your starter cage for your baby rat. [11] X Research source
Your cage should supply about 2-2. 5 cubic feet per rat. However, this is a good minimum, but the larger the cage, the better it will be for the rat. You can use a rat cage calculator to check how many rats can comfortably live in your cage. You should be able to place plenty of toys and things to do in your rat cage without crowding it. If your rat’s toys make your cage look cluttered, it may be time to get a larger cage. You don’t necessarily need to get a bigger cage for 2 rats. Friendly rats usually sleep together in a hammock, and want to be next to each other. [12] X Expert Source Brian StarrRat Specialist & Breeder Expert Interview. 27 April 2021.
You will need to clean the cage on a regular basis. However, if you live in an apartment, you may want to get a cage that can comfortably fit in the bathtub, since you will likely not be able to take it outside to clean it. Use an animal-safe disinfectant to clean your cage and make sure the cleaning products you use are not toxic. Avoid using scented cleaning products as rats have a sensitive respiratory systems that can easily get irritated. Children can stick their fingers in the cage and get bitten by your pet rat. Have a big enough bar size that your children will not be able to stick their fingers inside. A cage that’s easy to take apart may be useful if you plan on moving. Cages can be a hassle to move if they cannot easily be taken apart. When they can’t be taken apart, wheels on the bottom of the cage may be useful.
