Cages
-Having an appropriate cage is very important when keeping rats. Their cage needs to have enough space, and provide the ability to exhibit their natural behaviours e.g. climbing, burrowing and foraging. Rats are very active animals, so a cage with a lot of space is needed. Ideally a floorspace of 80cm x 50cm as a minimum, however the bigger the better.
You can encourage each of these behaviours by providing the things below;
Climbing - Ropes, tunnels, hanging ladders, perches, branches, hammocks
Burrowing - A deep substrate layer of at least 15cm. Nesting material for hammocks/houses
Foraging - A deep substrate layer where food can be hidden to encourage foraging. Scatter feeding their daily diet rather than using a bowl. Providing puzzle feeders, hiding food in cardboard egg boxes, cardboard tubes etc.
Rats require a well ventilated cage. Cages with bars are ideal as they provide adequate ventilation. This is due to rats having very sensitive respiratory systems, being prone to respiratory infections. Tanks are not a suitable environment for rats.
It is a common misconception that rats require height over floor space. Rats are fossorial by nature. Both, for domestic rats, are important, so it is important to select a cage which provides both of these things.
You can encourage each of these behaviours by providing the things below;
Climbing - Ropes, tunnels, hanging ladders, perches, branches, hammocks
Burrowing - A deep substrate layer of at least 15cm. Nesting material for hammocks/houses
Foraging - A deep substrate layer where food can be hidden to encourage foraging. Scatter feeding their daily diet rather than using a bowl. Providing puzzle feeders, hiding food in cardboard egg boxes, cardboard tubes etc.
Rats require a well ventilated cage. Cages with bars are ideal as they provide adequate ventilation. This is due to rats having very sensitive respiratory systems, being prone to respiratory infections. Tanks are not a suitable environment for rats.
It is a common misconception that rats require height over floor space. Rats are fossorial by nature. Both, for domestic rats, are important, so it is important to select a cage which provides both of these things.
Substrate
A suitable substrate is an important aspect for a rats cage. Substrate needs to be dust free to prevent respiratory issues, be non toxic, and enable natural foraging and burrowing behaviours.
A lot of suitable substrates for rats can be purchased from farm supplies shops in bales, which works out to be very cost effective.
Suitable substrates:
A lot of suitable substrates for rats can be purchased from farm supplies shops in bales, which works out to be very cost effective.
Suitable substrates:
- Aubiose (chopped hemp)
- Shredded cardboard (e.g. finacard, walmsley cardboard squares)
- Dust extracted, kiln dried shavings (e.g. littlemax, bedmax, snowflake supreme)
- Aspen
- Bioactive (coco fibre soil and sterile top soil, with clean up crew isopods for cleaning. For more information on a bioactive set up, I recommend the Naturalistic & Bioactive Rat Setups Facebook groups)
- Fleece, towels, fabric (these harbour ammonia and don't provide the ability to burrow and forage)
- Carefresh (dusty, paper based bedding)
- Paper cat litter, back 2 nature (this isn't suitable as a main cage substrate as it is hard on the feet and not great for burrowing. They are however, suitable for litter trays)
- Newspaper (doesn't allow natural burrowing behaviours)
- Wood based cat litter (turns to dust when wet, can affect the respiratory system)
Enrichment
Rats are very intelligent, active animals and require a lot to keep their minds busy.
In the cage
The cage is where rats will be for the majority of the day, so it is important to provide them with a lot of enrichment, as well as places to rest.
The cage should be an active environment, which promotes natural behaviours. If a cage comes with small solid levels, it would be best to remove them - this then gives you the ability to create a more open, active layout.
There are a number of things which can be used to provide an enriching environment within the cage:
Outside of the cage
It is important for rats to have time outside of the cage. Whether this is a free roam area on the floor, a bed or a sofa. This means they get a change of scenery, and interact with you.
Some people have free range in a separate room, on the floor, sofa or bed - whatever works for you!
Some ideas for out of the cage enrichment;
In the cage
The cage is where rats will be for the majority of the day, so it is important to provide them with a lot of enrichment, as well as places to rest.
The cage should be an active environment, which promotes natural behaviours. If a cage comes with small solid levels, it would be best to remove them - this then gives you the ability to create a more open, active layout.
There are a number of things which can be used to provide an enriching environment within the cage:
- Ropes
- Tunnels/tubes
- Ladders
- Hammocks - encourage climbing, and provide a place to sleep
- A wheel (The minimum wheel size for females should be a diameter of 12-14 inches, and a diameter of 16 inches for males. This prevents spinal injury)
- Puzzle feeders/wheels - This is a great way to encourage rats to work for their food. You can put their normal food in, treats or fresh foods
- Substrate - whilst this is a given in a cage, it is still a very important form of enrichment as rats will be able to dig, burrow and forage in substrate
- Scatter feeding - scatter feeding their daily food encourages their normal foraging behaviours
- Dig boxes - dig boxes are usually made from a plastic storage box, using coco fibre soil
- Plants and herbs - These provide great enrichment! You can plant herbs in a dig box for extra enrichment
- Cardboard
- Wooden sticks e.g. willow sticks, apple wood
Outside of the cage
It is important for rats to have time outside of the cage. Whether this is a free roam area on the floor, a bed or a sofa. This means they get a change of scenery, and interact with you.
Some people have free range in a separate room, on the floor, sofa or bed - whatever works for you!
Some ideas for out of the cage enrichment;
- Puzzle feeders
- Tunnels
- Cat tree for climbing
- Cardboard boxes to explore
- Hiding or scattering treats
- Dig box
- Pea fishing
- Beds
- Cat wand toys to chase