Hi, I've had rats for awhile and have a relatively large 3 story cage for my two rats, and they have an igloo and a hanging bed, but I feel like I should be doing more for them as far as sleeping stuff and toys go. I'm in college and don't have a very large budget, but are there any things you can help me with to make them a little happier? Thank you
Here are twelve inexpensive ways to add both excitement and comfort insideyour pet rats’ cage:
1. Boxes, Boxes & More Boxes!
There are so many ways you can make boxes fun. I like to cut doors on all sides so my rats have plenty of entrances and exits. I place a folded-up t-shirt on the bottom which makes it into a nice soft bed. I also place soft folded-up cloth on top of the box in case they want to sleep there instead of inside.
Get rope in varying diameters, tie knots and hangvertically (if your rats are super active and young). If they’re older, stretchthe rope horizontally across their cage. Be careful there’s nochance they can get accidentally tied up or strangled, though!
These can be t-shirts you’re no longer wearing or new ones you buy inexpensively. If you do use old ones, just make sure there aren’t any small holes in which your rats’ limbs or (even their head) can get stuck.
Three ways to use t-shirts:
1) Long-sleeved t-shirts can be turned into hammocks by tying the arms and the bottom end ofthe shirt to the sides and/or top of the cage. Make sure it’s stretched far enough apart so it makes a great hammock.
2) Thread two ropes inside a short-sleeved t-shirt. Do this by going through the bottom of the t-shirt and running one rope through each of the short sleeves. Hang the ropes across the cage so they’re parallel to one another. The ropes should be spaced far enough apart so the t-shirt is stretched out into nice hammock in between the ropes.
3) Drape a t-shirt (or any other suitable cloth) over a rope so the sidesof the shirt reach the floor of the cage making it into a cozy tent for your rats. You can also just run the rope through one side of the t-shirt so it turns into a “cave” on the floor of the cage for your ratties to explore.
Bandanas and scarves are super easy to tie to the corners and/orfrom the top of your cage to form a hammock.
These are the hard plastic pipes used in construction that come in diameters from several inches to several feet wide.—They’re usually aqua/green, white or black.
PCV pipe is very inexpensive and works great for tunnels. You can buy them from a hardware store. (Or, if there’s construction going on nearyou, ask if they have any extra you can have.) These tubes can be placed on the floor of the cage or hung using two ropes spaced about an inch apart.
6. Shredded Plain Newsprint
This is one of my rats’staples for their bedding. I spread this out throughout their cage and my rats make incredibly elaborate nests out of it. They nevertire of this stuff! I buy plain unbleached newsprint that’s actually made for packing material.
7. Plastic Gallon-Sized Bottles
After finishing a gallon-sized bottle of orange juice or water, cut off top and wash it out well. (You can even run it through the dishwasher on the top shelf.) Cut two holes several inches apart in one side of the bottle so you canhang it horizontally from the roof of their cage. Place it so they can access the hanging bed from a shelf or a floor in their cage. Line it with a soft cloth such as a folded up t-shirt.
Get super inexpensive plastic baskets from a dollarstore. Line the basket with soft cloth and hang inside your pet rats’ cage. Use shower hooks, rope or string.
9. Cardboard Mailing Tubes
Choose tubes wide enough for your rats to comfortably walk through and even turn around. Cut out several holes (big enough for your rats to get in and out) along one side of the tube. Attach to sides of the cage cutting slots into either end that fit into the cage bars. An alternative is to skip putting holes in the side and string up the tube creating a tunnel to go from box to box.
Twist some unbleached plain newsprint around a lab block, several pieces of kibble or a treat. Your rats will love unwrapping their “gift”.
Make sure to buy cups that are made only of paper. (i.e. Don’t choose the cups that have plastic coating.) Place a small hole in the side of the cup. Cut a length of string or twine long enough to hang the cup from the top of your pet rats’ cage. Tie a knot in one end and pull the string through the cup leaving the knot inside the cup. Place some treats, lab blocks or kibble inside and fold over the top of the cup. Hang from top of cage. Be sure to remove the string once your rats have gotten out their treats.
Chew toys are fairly inexpensive and give your rats thepleasure of using their impressive teeth. Besides the dainty-sized Pretzel Sticks, there are the much larger Mega Munch chews. Both are Willow wood and very safe for pet rats.
Place something new in their cage before you leave for the day. That way they have something fun to do while you’re gone.
Change things up regularly. Rotate toys, boxes and hammocks so your ratsfeel like they’re getting new toys and cage accessories each week
I hope at least some of these ideas are helpful for you, rat-t. You sound like a wonderful rat parent!
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
For more information (including answers to similar questions) visit my website, About Pet Rats. Sign up here for ongoing updates and receive your free Guide to Essential Pet Rat Supplies.
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