Housing

Cage or Aquarium?
 Some people use aquariums but I would defintley advise a cage as it gives the rats a good ventilated home as they don't want to get too hot or cold. They like to climb so this is another good reason to get a cage.

Aquariums are cheaper but it is a poor excuse for your ratty's well-being. Get as big a cage as you can afford as they like to run around, and will be spending lots of time in the cage when you're not there. If you can get one with different levels that is even better.

I have a cm x cm cage which is enough room for two rats. It is a popular cage (the Ferplast Furet Tower Cage) you can find on the internet for around £80+. Go to the Links page for a link to the cage.

Some bird and ferret cages are cheaper so one of these can be nicely converted into a rat cage. Just remember the cage needs a plastic floor and metal sides. No wood! And make sure that the holes aren't so big that the ratties will squeeze through!


What Bedding?

 For the floor
There are a lot of different varieties of bedding that you can use but stay away from PINE and CEDAR as they are dusty and will irritate the rats noses and eyes and can cause long-term illness.

Wood shaving, chips, pellets and dust-free recycled paper cat litter are good options. Do not use old newspaper anywhere in the cage as the ink will rub of on the rats' feet and they will lick it, and this can be toxic for them.

For their sleeping area
They need a sleeping area. There are lots of different options but remember, it needs to be chew friendly and warm. I have a little wooden house (cm x cm) which is big enough for two rats. Just browse around your pet store but don't get anything that is for hamsters as it will be too small and flimsy.

Fill the sleeping area with paper shreddings and soft recycled paper shreddings or torn up kitchen towels.



What else do they need

  • A large water bottle - Rats are the most thirsty of all rodents and need a constant supply of water.
  • Food bowls - These should be metal or ceramic and should be able to fix to the cage so they can't be tipped over.
  • A Mineral Stone - This will give them all the minerals they need and help them to keep their teeth knawed down!
  • A Food Stick - You can find these from most pet stores (usually noted for small animals). They hang in the cage so the rats can knaw of seeds and nuts from them. This gives them a st them a simulating way to get food.
  • A 'toilet' - This just needs to be a fairly shallow pot with some soft bedding in. It's good to be able to train your rats to poop in one area as this makes cleaning easier and makes their home cleaner. Read more on this in Games and Fun.
  • A Hammock - Ratties love to hang about in hammocks and snuggle up together for a nap. They are a definate must!
  • A few other toys - Don't put all their toys in the cage as they will get bored of them quickly and not have anything to play with outside! But a few things such as a bird ladder or rope are good fun to have.



    • Below is a series of pictures showing how to set up your cage:

  • 1. Wipe down all the surfaces and floor of the cage with a pet safe cage cleaner.
  • 2. Put the flooring down, whether that's chips, litter or paper.
  • 3. Add their sleeping quarters and fill it with soft paper bedding and paper shreddings.
  • 4. Fit rest of cage on and add toys, hammocks, water bottle, chew blocks etc.
  • 5. Add food bowls with food in (after cleaning them of course).
  • 5. Check water bottle is full and fill it up if it needs it.
  • 6. Add rats :)








    • This cage is too small for a rat's living quarters. The bigger the better.
    Hamster cages are too small for one rat, let alone 2 or more.