What should I put on the floor of my rat cage?

The cage floor should be: Covered with non-toxic wood chips or paper-based rat bedding. You can buy rat bedding from a pet shop or from our online pet store. Don't use cedar or pine wood chips as these are toxic for small pets like rats.

What do rats like in their cage?

Hammocks and hideouts: Rats should always have a hanging ferret bed in their cage. It gives them a nice, comfy spot to hide and sleep. They should also have at least one wooden hideout per rat in different areas of the cage to provide privacy and security. Chew toys: Rats also love to chew!

What substrate is best for rats?

An ideal substrate should be easy to clean, dust free, non-toxic and comfortable for your ratty or mousey to walk around on and sleep on. Appropriate substrates include newspaper, towels, fleece, Vetbed, recycled paper pellets, paper towel, shredded paper, tissues and artificial turf.

Do rats need bedding in their cage?

Why Do Rats Need Bedding? There are three types of bedding that are needed in a rat cage: Substrate in the base of the cage, to line the cage, and give the rats something to dig in. Litter for toileting, to absorb urine and feces, and encourage good toilet habits.

What do rats like to play with?

Rats enjoy playing in cardboard boxes with holes cut in them, toilet paper tubes stuffed with shredded paper or hay, small pieces of apple branches cut from a pesticide-free tree in the yard, ping-pong balls and paper bags from the grocery store.

How to set up a Rat cage

How deep should rat bedding be?

At least one inch of bedding should be provided to allow for normal burrowing behavior. Cotton and shredded tissue paper make excellent nesting materials.

Do rats need salt licks?

Providing a salt lick for your rat is recommended to prevent the development of mineral and/or vitamin deficiency. Salt licks can be purchased at many pet supply stores. Wire cages with solid bottoms are best as they ensure proper ventilation and minimize potential foot injuries.

Can you use pee pads for rats?

Underpads, or incontinence pads, are commonly used on hospital beds to prevent urine from reaching the sheets or mattress below. I purchased a pack of 4 and decided to give it a test run in my cage with 7 rats. The 4 pack of underpads worked perfectly for my Double Critter Nation cage that has 4 levels.

Is coconut bedding good for rats?

Coir Bedding for Rats

Coir (coconut fiber) is supplied as dehydrated bricks which need to be reconstituted with water before use. It provides a very natural digging experience for rats, while still being clean and safe.

How often should you change rat bedding?

Droppings, uneaten food and soiled areas of bedding should be removed from your pets' cage every day. Clean the cage completely twice a week by replacing dirty bedding and scrubbing down the rest of the cage with warm, soapy water. High-quality rat blocks should be available to your pet at all times.

Do rats prefer light or dark?

Do Rats Like Light or Dark? Rats are actually very sensitive to bright light, which can harm their eyes. So, rats definitely prefer dark or semi-shaded environments.

How long should rats be out of their cage?

Rats are very social with people and other rats. To keep them mentally stimulated and physically fit they should be allowed out of the cage daily for at least 1-‐2 hours of play-‐time. Rats are highly social animals and do best when housed in pairs or groups.

What do rats need to be happy?

Do rats need wheels?

Wheels are not necessary for rats, but they can provide a good source of exercise during the long hours they are confined to their cage. Yet pet owners are divided - some believe that wheels are perfectly healthy for rats, while others insist that they will damage their spines and tails.

Is fleece or bedding better for rats?

Fleece Bedding For Rats

While fleece is soft and safe as a bedding material, it is not advisable since the polyethylene material does not absorb water.

Is lettuce safe for rats?

Never feed: Raisins, rhubarb, walnuts, lettuce or citrus fruits. These can be toxic for your rats.

Can rats have toilet paper as bedding?

The simplest rat bedding is just plain cardboard. Old cartons, egg boxes and the tubes from toilet paper are all perfect. Tear the cardboard into one or two-inch diameter pieces and store in a plastic bag until needed.

What are rats favorite toys?

Do rats like to be tossed?

It may sound strange, but rats enjoy getting thrown around a little, similar to puppies and kittens. Try to make sure your rodent buddy lands on its feet to avoid a bumpy landing.