A rat is one of the most playful pet one can find. Rat Central sheds light on some interesting features of a rat house covering a cage’s size, type, problems, floors, litter boxes, cage fills, diet, and free range time. According to adoptapet.com, a cage size should be at least 2 cubic feet. If it is a senior rat, one level cage is suggested since it avoids injuries and imbalance issues. There are online calculators available for knowing a rat’s age.
Rat cages come in three common forms, aquarium, wire cages and homemade ones. An aquarium is strictly not recommended as it hinders fresh air circulation and builds up heat in summer thereby reducing their life expectancy. A diligent search on the internet can help you find good cages at affordable prices. A rat’s house should be free from three typical problems:
Two things cause bumblefoot in rats. The first reason is wired cages which do not come with solid flooring (wired cages are robust than any other varieties). Second is the exposure to urine pooled on solid floors. Hence, constant cleaning and drying of the cage are essential to avoid this problem.
Widely spaced bars in a cage are an invitation to escape especially for young rats and small females as they can easily squeeze right through. Hence, it is advisable to increase size their home size as and how they age.
Any use of aromatic products causes harm to a rat’s immunity in the long run, due to constant inhalation. Phenols used in pine or cedar alter levels of liver enzymes in their body. Instead, alternatives like aspen (hardwood), careFRESH (paper pulp), pellet bedding from recycled paper, wheat grass, cellulose fibre are pro-health and eco-friendly. Though cloth can be used for covering wire mesh, they are easily chewable, and long strings cause injury, especially with babies and younger ones. If multiple levels are needed, then bird platforms, hanging baskets, ferret tubes can be used.
Placing a litter box in a cage’s corner maintains much-needed cleanliness in a cage. With a little effort, they can be easily trained to differentiate between floor and toilet area and use the litter box.
A rat sleeps in confinement. Large igloos, hammocks, etc. can be utilized here. An inverted plastic bowl with a large hole can come to the rescue. Use non-stringy fabric as a bed. Hammocks are a must for a rat. It can be either hand-made or purchased easily at a pet store nearby which also come in attractive colors. Rats are toy lovers. Attached fruits and hard treats can be a big hit with them as well as ladders, ropes, wooden branches, etc.
Rats like to eat constantly. But never over feed them. Water should frequently be changed and should not be placed in bowls. Water bottles with sipper tube serve as an excellent water feeder. Every now and then, they need to be let out of their house to explore and stretch their legs. But safety and security must be ensured. A happy rat brings much joy to the house. They are small, yet known for their playfulness and being naughty.