Rats are high-energy animals that need plenty of space to walk and explore throughout the day. A small cage, like that of hamsters, even like that of rabbits, is too small. Your pet rat is going to have a hard time.
The best solution for the perfect cage for your pet rat is a tall cage, which has several floors. In order to ventilate and keep your house free of humidity, it must be made of bars. That is, rats need a cage similar to that of ferrets. The more floors you have, the more space you have to walk and run.
The Substrate and Hygiene for the pet rat
Your pet rat will use its cage to relieve itself. You can use a corner that will serve as a litter tray, but even in it, you must have a good substrate for rodents.
The areas of the cage where your rat is stepping should be solid: if they are made of bars as hamster cages were in the past, they will hurt their feet. Also, the substrate will creep between the bars and the cage will get dirty too quickly.
Avoid substrates that give off dust. Such as kitty litter or sawdust. There are many types of safe substrate on the market. Such as pressed straw, cotton balls, prepared sawdust and pressed wood. Try different types of rodent substrate until both you and your pet rat are comfortable.
By Maslov Dmitry
Give them hidden places to sleep
Part of the instinct of rats tells them to hide regularly and always have a den nearby. Therefore, it is important that you prepare different hiding places and huts in his cage in which he can take shelter and sleep safely.
You can buy houses and nests that your pet rat will use as a bedroom. However, they can also be made at home: with non-toxic wood in case it decides to gnaw on it, or with cardboard, without paints or dyes. Rats also like hammocks and tunnels. Have fun looking for the best solution for your pet rats and trying new inventions to allow them to choose which one he likes best.
Eating and drinking for your pet rat
Rats should always have food and drink at their disposal. The drinker they will use will be a ball, like the rest of the rodents. Find one that won’t leak and puddle the ground and spoil the perfect cage for your rat.
For food, the best solution is to have two containers. One for feed and dry food, and one for fresh food. Ideally, these containers should be metallic or ceramic. Therefore, they can be washed easily. You may need to grab them to the cage bars to prevent your pet rats from tipping them over and spoiling the food.
