(Part 2) Top products from r/RATS

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We found 66 product mentions on r/RATS. We ranked the 397 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.

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Top comments that mention products on r/RATS:

u/MoriKitsune · 2 pointsr/RATS

1- Always adopt more than one!

Rats are very social animals, and to prevent undue stress and sadness, they need to have rattie friends with which to spend their time. Also, try to adopt same-sex pairs/groups to avoid accidental litters; if you must adopt rats of different genders, make sure one of them are ‘fixed’ before housing them together. It’s also a good idea to get littermates, as they’ll already be familiar with each other, and they’ll be the same age, which becomes significant as they age and pass on.

Also, I HIGHLY recommend trying to find a reputable rat rescue near you before going to a pet store or breeder. There are SO MANY loveable, beautiful rats out there that were rescued from bad conditions and need loving homes. Breeders often supply reptile owners with feeders, and many don’t keep their rats in good conditions or socialize them properly. Same with pet stores. A lot of times, female pet store rats will even end up pregnant because someone didn’t keep them away from the males. There are several Facebook groups and websites with area-specific rescue groups that can point the way for you to find your babies.

2- Make sure your cage type is right!

Rats, like humans, need their personal space. If you cram too many in too small a space, you’ll get stress and fighting. Use a cage dimension calculator like this one to make sure the cage you’re looking at buying is big enough for the number of fur babies you’re going to get (2-3 is a good starting number.) also important is the distance between the cage bars, especially if you’re going to adopt young rats. Remember, anything they can fit their head through, they can fit the rest of their body through if they really want to. Try to get a cage with no more than 1/3-1/2inch of space between the bars.

Rats are also climbers- while a single-story unit would be fine for a rabbit or guinea pig, it’s important for rats to have multiple levels and platforms on which to live and play.

DO NOT use a glass tank. Rats are prone to upper respiratory infections, and they also pee quite a lot. This wouldn’t be an issue, except rat pee is high in ammonia, which is bad for them to breathe in. Tanks just can’t get the proper level of ventilation to be a good home for rats, even with daily cleanings; they might look cute, but for your babies’ sake, stick with a cage.

Make sure your cage has smooth floors. Rats, like most other pawed animals, have little pads on their feet. They’re also quite sensitive, and prone to getting their toes caught. Make sure that any mesh or wire platforms in your cage are covered with a hard, smooth surface so that your rats can walk/run/jump around comfortably.

3- Essentials

Rats are prey animals, so their instincts drive them to hide and nest; make sure you give them lots of places to hide away, like little houses, nests, baskets, and hammocks. Places up high are a favorite among my girls.

Make sure you have an constant, ample water supply. I recommend having a couple of water bottles, or a bottle and a dish- just in case they finish one off during the day, they’ll have plenty more to make it until you get home and notice that one’s empty. I personally keep a dish with dry rat food full in the cage as well, to make sure they’re never hungry.

Fleece liners or other bedding options are also important- rats aren’t very good at regulating their body temperatures, so giving them a means to keep warm is important. Fleece covers over the trays (I use blankets cut to shape and pinned with binder clips) or bedding spread liberally over the bottom of a deeper pan is important for this.

Exercise wheels are also a good idea; get the biggest one you can- it’s not good for them to have their backs/tails bent at too far an angle. A saucer wheel is perfect, but my girls wouldn’t run on the one I gave them, so I got them this one

Also, not quite essential, but- rats are über smart, and can be litterbox trained! Giving them a litter box and training them to use it will save a lot of time and effort when it comes to cleaning their cage every week.

4- Toys and decorations

Like I said before, rats are smart! They need mental stimulation. Puzzles, toy balls, and hanging bird toys are all great ideas. There are also a ton of diy toy ideas on the Internet in places like Pinterest. A lava rock ledge or a brick in the cage will help them keep their claws trim, and provide a convenient step-up into a hide. Try to stay away from soft woods, and keep with hardwood toys and shelters.
As for decor; they’ll probably regularly chew through the fleece you give them, so it’s easy to switch up the cage aesthetic whenever you want :) you can also cut up the old fleece into bits and give it to them as bedding to nest with, too.

This is my girls’ cage after it was mostly-clean yesterday (I did the top level later on.) I know the image is potato-quality, but you’ll probably be able to see the water bottles, hammocks, hides, and wheel :) their food dish is stashed behind the purple ramp next to the wheel haha

You might also notice the boxes in the top level; cardboard boxes are a great thing to put in their cages; it’s a chew toy and a hide all in one! You’ll need to replace them regularly, of course, but things like soda boxes and tissue boxes are great cage additions.

5- Cleanliness

It’s important to clean your rats’ cage weekly, at least, and twice weekly if they’re hairless (hairless are more prone to uri’s.) Personally, I wipe down the bars with baby wipes (or soap and water if they really need it) and clean the pans with soap and water. As for all of the hammocks and fleece, I toss it in the washing machine with my own clothes (no fabric softener or dryer sheets) and also make sure to beat them out (like a rug) so they’re as clean as possible before putting them in the laundry. I also wash all of their plastic toys, dishes, and wheels with soap and water, making sure to rinse them well so there’s no residue.

It’s rare, but sometimes your rats will need some help getting clean. When my girls were younger, there came a point where they smelled like pee and they had porphyrin all over their fur from their own cleanings; at that point, I prepared a thick towel and some warm water, and washed each of them with oatmeal baby soap, making sure to avoid their faces and ears (as you would with a dog or other pet) and immediately afterward cuddled them in the towel until they were dry enough that I felt like they wouldn’t be too cold in their cage. My SO was a big help with that stage.

6- Nutrition

Rats need a varied diet. Depending on where you look, you get different percentages, but personally what I do is leave a bowl full of dry food in their cage and top it off as needed, and every night (or, being real, every other night) when I get home and make my dinner, I make a plate for them and load it up with a bed of kale, sliced or canned vegetables, berries, a sprinkle of oats or nuts (I have some petite babies and I’m trying to help them gain weight) and some chicken or turkey baby food; sometimes I’ll even put some fruit baby food on there as well- they absolutely love it. For protein I’ll also sometimes do scrambled eggs or chicken that I’ve shredded up post-cooking, instead of poultry baby food (baby food is just the easiest thing for me to do) :) these guys give a comprehensive list of foods that are safe for rats, and when in doubt, google it before feeding it to them. Male rats generally have more dietary rules than females, so watch out for that with them.

7- Playtime!

Every single day, your rats will need at least an hour of playtime with you. Just like we were told as kids “get out and play an hour a day” this is really important for their mental and physical health. This could be anything from a free-roam in a rat-proof room, or just running around on the bed while you watch a movie. This is also a great time for you to teach them some tricks (there are plenty of tutorials on the web for how to train them 😊) or set up a little play area for them complete with toy houses and things to explore and treat-laden puzzles for them to solve. For treats, my girls love yogies, nuts, and dried fruit :)

u/-Nuu- · 2 pointsr/RATS

I get all my fleece from JoAnn stores. They often have fleece at 50% off per yard, so you can buy it in bulk and use it as needed. Any large fabric store will have lots of fleece in stock (I just prefer JoAnn because that's the best one I have in the area I live in). I'm sure you know this already, but just in case, please don't use cedar or pine chips as bedding for your rats; it's harmful to them. You can use fleece or aspen chip bedding (but freeze the aspen for 48 hours prior to use to make sure it's free of parasites).

I buy many rat toys on Amazon, and make some myself. If you're buying any kind of wooden rat toy, do be aware that many of them are made from soft woods like pine and cedar, which are super bad for rat respiratory systems. Hardwood toys are usually safe—just make sure it's not a combination wood that also has pine or cedar in it along with the hardwood. I personally do not buy wood toys on amazon, because the products often don't list what kind of wood they're made of. The only wood product I buy on Amazon is bags of untreated apple branch chewing sticks. I'll link you to some rat-safe toys and accessories I buy on amazon below! :)

Kaytee Lava Ledge
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00176F466/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

15" Chin Spin - Small Animal Exercise Wheel - Handmade in USA (Expensive, but it's the very best and safest wheel for rats.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GJ6SDBQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bright Starts Lots of Links Accessory Toy (Great for hanging things up in the cage.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ABZGU2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1

Small Animal Activity Toy Cotton Rope Net For Rat and Ferret Pet Bed for Parrot and Hamster Parrot
https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Activity-Cotton-Ferret-Hamster/dp/B0777NWKT9/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1519011945&sr=1-2&keywords=rat+rope+net

Kaytee Igloo Hideout, Large
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00068K132/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ACCO Binder Clips, Medium, 2 Boxes, 12/Box (A7072050) (If using fleece as the bedding/liner in your cage, this helps to secure fleece to the Critter Nation pans.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TQ8FDB8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap - Baby Unscented, 32oz. (I don't use any scented products with my rats since rat respiratory systems are so fragile, so this is the non-scented liquid soap I use to wash my hands and their non-fabric toys.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DAI76TC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pawliss Teeth Grinding Lava Block for Hamster Chinchilla Rabbit
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HGHA6VW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Aspen/Booda Corporation BBX56134 Byrdy Cable Cross Bird Toy, Medium
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003WRHTG6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

200g(7oz) Apple Sticks Pet Snacks Chew Toys for Guinea Pigs Chinchilla Squirrel Rabbits Hamster(About 50-70 Sticks) by MAIYUAN (The only wood product I buy on Amazon.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WLL641Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ware Manufacturing Fun Tunnels Play Tube for Small Pets (Medium.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LUMU9M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ware Manufacturing Plastic Scatterless Lock-N-Litter Small Pet Pan- Colors May Vary (Regular size, not jumbo.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SLICDA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

JW Comfy Perch for Birds (Large, 36".)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AR754/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lixit Critter Space Pod 2 Large (You can hand these on the ceiling of the Critter Nation. My boys LOVE these!)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002X2NBNQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lixit Lbg-16 Glass Small Animal Bottle 16 Oz (16oz is always best for rats because of the bigger water spout. I've found that smaller bottles are a struggle for my boys to get water out of, so I only use the small ones for rat carriers/transporter cages. Tip: filtered water is best for rats, so if you can, get a Britta water filter.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WYCFK0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yummy Time Tiny Small Stoneware Pet/Dog Bowl
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAUMYDC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I buy Harlan Teklad (Envigo) food blocks for my rats, which is one of the top two for rats (the other is Oxbow Regal Rat). Harland Teklad is hard to find though, so I buy mine through this animal rescue:
http://weecompanions.org/healthy-food

If you get these blocks, freeze them to extend their shelf life, and take them out from the freezer as needed to fill your ratties' bowls. Harlan Teklad is great because they have several formulas for rats based on their age, which is super helpful for their health. Young rats up to 8 months usually eat Harlan Teklad 2016 (16% protein), and after 8 months they eat Harlan Teklad 2014 (14% protein).

Also, I don't have a link for this, but the best laundry detergents to use to wash your rats' cloth toys or bedding with is one that's non-scented and is sensitive on skins.

Um, if I think of anything else, I'll add it. But for now, it's already a ton. :P Enjoy!

(And feel free to message me if you have any questions!)

u/tostada · 2 pointsr/RATS

Carefresh should be fine! :) And hopefully the grate keeps the majority of the mess in, but it's so floofy and fun to play with. Again, it should be fine, just a little more to pick off before throwing it in the wash.

Scraps and lots of toys to chew and tear up are lots of fun! It can also be cheap. Dig boxes and wood chews and cardboard mailing tubes are all fun toys for rats. Here's a great site for ideas: http://www.dapper.com.au/toys.htm

Yay learning on a sewing machine! :D That's awesome that you're willing to learn on it. And the silent spinner is a bit pricey, yes... my Run-Around wheel was around $16, but my girls learned to run on the Comfort Wheel and are used to having a closed-in space, so they prefer the Comfort Wheel more. You can always pick one up at a physical pet store, as well, and clean it and return it if they don't like it (I know.. I'd feel guilty about it, but if it's in new condition, I don't think it's a bad thing to do). Ask at the rescue (if they ever call you, dang it!) if the rats are used to wheels already. Even if they're not it's worth a shot, because it's a lot of fun!

Yeah, vinegar is good for cleaning out flat surfaces, and you can always scrub with a rag for stubborn stains. But you'll be using fleece, which absorbs most of the mess! If your husband is allergic to bleach and you use vinegar already, you're good! :D

Oof, I would give them a call. Rescues are probably inundated with stuff to do, so they may have been to busy to reply. How many rats are you planning to take in? Will they be older, or babies? Male or female? (Sorry for being nosy; I'm excited for you!) Good on you for adopting from a rescue, BTW!! You're a hero! Don't be discouraged if your rats are a little flighty at first, or if they don't explore their new digs right away, especially if they were rescued from a not-so-great situation and are older. They'll open up with all the love and care you're already giving them!

u/Swtcherrypie · 1 pointr/RATS

Just gonna copy/paste a comment I recently made on a similar subject, with unnecessary parts edited out and a few things added:

I would suggest getting at least one friend for your rat but preferably 2. And you'll want to get rats of the same gender, unless you want lots of babies. Having 3 rats is very helpful if something happens and you lose a rat. It helps the remaining rats if they can cope with the loss of a buddy together and may lessen the chances of them getting overly depressed. Depressed rats tend to have a weaker immune system and are more prone to illnesses. And in most situations, the more rats you have, the happier they will be. They're highly social and tend to like having a bigger family.

If you're getting food at the store, stay away from seed mix type foods such as this. It's not healthy for them, and the dried corn in it can cause liver cancer. I'd recommend a block/kibble type rat food such as Oxbow. You can buy the adult formula of Oxbow and just supplement with extra protein once or twice a week until around 6 months old; and, in general, most rats don't seem to like the Garden Select or the young rat variety, so keep that in mind too. You'll want to give them fresh veggies regularly and fruits as a treat (as too much fruit can cause runny poops.) I like referring to this guide when introducing new foods as some foods are very dangerous for rats, and some are only dangerous for a specific gender.

When getting a cage (NOT an aquarium) make sure you get 1/2" bar spacing to avoid escapes. And you can use this handy cage calculator to make sure your cage will be big enough. Some cages sold as rat cages are not actually big enough for adults to comfortably live and stretch out in. If you use a loose substrate bedding, stay away from cedar or pine (unless it's kiln dried pine) though kiln dried aspen tends to be the most recommended wood shaving bedding, and there is still some debate on the kiln dried pine. Some people use recycled paper bedding, though it isn't as good at absorbing smells as the aspen or pine. If you use fleece, you'll need to change it more frequently than a loose substrate but it's much less messy, though terrible for controlling odor. I personally do a mix of both, loose bedding in the bottom of the cage and fleece lining the rest of the shelves. I have to change the fleece out more frequently than the aspen shavings.

You'll also want to consider getting a litter pan to litter train them, and use a different type of litter in the pan so they associate it with a bathroom area. I personally like using critter litter by Kaytee. Also, find a smooth flat rock to keep in the litter pan. For some reason rats like peeing on rocks.

You'll want to make sure to have enough hides, hammocks, etc for each rat to have their own if they aren't feeling like being cuddled up or just need a break from the other rats. Space pods are highly loved by most rats. I have 2 in my cage, one on each level. Cardboard boxes are a big hit as well. I buy cheap boxes of Kleenex and just shove the whole thing in the cage (after removing the plastic stuff around the opening.) They love "decorating" their cage with it, and they can use the box as another hide when they're done. PVC is also a big hit with a lot of rats. You can make little tunnels for them to hide or play in and some people even drill holes in them (for ventilation and) to suspend them from the roof of the cage to help change it up a little.

You can use all kinds of things for toys. I buy a lot of bird toys for my rats. I like buying something like these and hiding treats inside they have to work for. You can also buy baby toys or small kids toys. Some rats like ping pong balls, though mine just shred them. There's puzzle toys made for animals to keep their minds stimulated as well. There's also this site with tons of ideas for cheap/simple toy ideas.

Also, you'll want to spot clean/pick up stray poops throughout the week until cage cleaning day comes. After the cage is clean (leaving 1-2 "dirty" things in their cage to prevent over cleaning, thus leading to over marking after you spent all that time cleaning) I suggest completely rearranging their cage each time. It keeps their minds stimulated and makes them highly interested in exploring their "new" home week after week. It's especially fun for them if you hide treats throughout the cage for them to find. For a cage cleaner, I use a vinegar/water (25% vinegar, 75% water) solution as it disinfects and deodorizes very well and the rats aren't sensitive to it like some cage cleaners. I also put about half a cup in with their laundry when I wash it. You'll want to use free and clear detergent (no dyes/perfumes) like this. I don't use fabric softeners or dryer sheets either.

Lastly, you'll want to keep an emergency vet budget set aside. Rats don't need routine visits like a dog necessarily, but there is a high chance your rats will need to go to the vet at some point during their lives. They have a very delicate immune system and URIs are very common, as well as myco flareups, as almost all rats carry myco. You can read the article linked in the sidebar for more info on that. And in my experience, it tends to be emergency/short notice needs for the vet. Rats are prey animals and will hide an illness until they are no longer capable of hiding it, and by then they are usually pretty sick. Prices vary from area to area, but where I am, I expect to spend around $60-90 for a visit, including medications; from what I've read on here though, I'm on the lower end of the price range and some people easily spend double that.

Sorry this got a lot longer than I had expected it to, and if you read it all, thank you. If you have any questions, this sub is a great place and has a lot of great and very helpful people here. Good luck with your future babies.

u/darkayden · 2 pointsr/RATS

When I boarded my girl rats at Andy's all four of them fit fine in that cage. Some stuff I'd recommend are get tons of Lava ledges so they can have different heights in the cage. They have Big ones and Small ones. The small ones are only available online now I think. My girls love to hop from one to another plus it will help file down their nails and teeth. I currently have 10 big ones and 8 small ones in my 2 cages. A hammock is great but you can also put a space pod in there too as another place to sleep or chill. I just got one for my girls but I'm waiting for a hammock to be chewed down before putting it in there. I also got The Bandit Bridge and my girls love that too. I mainly use it as a safety net in case they fall off one of the ledges. I'd rather have them land on a soft thing than the igloo or hard cage bottom. Basically I'm cutting the fall in half.


Also if you still want to get another cage I recommend The Rat Manor I have it and my girls LOVE it! It's big enough for 4 rats so 3 would fit perfectly plus it has a metal bottom so they can't chew holes in it. Other than that you seem to be on the right track. Just spend a lot of time with them and get them used to you kinda like a re-introduction to humans and they should turn out fine. They may have been scared of the kids and all the noise but it sounds like they should perk up to you in no time after they get used to their new surroundings. Good luck and keep us posted!

u/CorbinDallasMyMan · 3 pointsr/RATS

Your list looks pretty good so far!

EcoBedding has a couple of advantages over other beddings. It's very low dust and it won't really get kicked out of the cage. Its drawbacks are that it doesn't provide a good floor covering because it just kinda sits on top of the floor (I had to use sheets of paper under it) and it's not very absorbent so it doesn't do much to control odors. Its also very expensive for just being crinkle kraft paper. You can purchase gigantic boxes of crinkle-cut kraft paper from Staples for $20 (they don't keep it in stock, you have to pre-order it). I tried this as a primary bedding once but did not like it very much. I've been much happier with aspen shavings. They can be messier and would require a deep pan but they're better for controlling odors/ammonia.

I prefer water bottles to water bowls because bowls can get dirty with loose bedding, food bits, and even poop. Bottles are a sure-fire way to provide a constant supply of clean water. It can be a good idea to have two water bottles so if one malfunctions or stops releasing water, there's still a backup.

You can use a food bowl if you want but it's not necessary. You can also just scatter their food around the cage so they'll have to forage for it. Scatter feeding works best when mixed into a loose substrate like shavings or paper based beddings.

Hammocks are really easy to make yourself from old clothes or really any scraps of fabric. You'll want multiples because they need to be washed very often. When I used a Critter Nation, I used several hammocks and I had a few sets so I could quickly swap them out. I swap hammocks out every few days because they get stinky quickly. They can also get destroyed quickly so spending money on fancy store-bought hammocks might not be the best idea.

Some other items to consider;

Small Animal Carrier: I use a small hard-sided cat carrier for my boys. It's great for vet visits or general travel. The one I use has a door on the top and it makes it a lot easier to get timid rats out. Fabric/mesh carriers should be avoided because they may be chewed through.

Travel Cage: If you ever need to bring your rats with you on a trip or if you need someone to look after them for you, you may want a more portable cage for them. Something lightweight and/or collapsible is handy. You can sometimes find good deals on used cages on apps/sites like craigslist, marketplace, kijiji, etc. A bin cage would also work for this purpose and it can double as storage when not in use.

Various Cage Accessories: The cage is really the main expense to get started. After that, cage accessories can be dirt-cheap or free. For the most part, there's no reason to buy stuff besides bedding/litter from a pet store. The recycle bin, your basement/garage, thrift stores, and dollar stores are great sources for cage accessories. There are a few official pet items that I like, though. Space pods, lava ledges, and bendy rope perches are fantastic cage items.

Litter Box / Litter: Rats can be trained to poop in a litter box to some degree (they'll still pee all over). If you can train your rats somewhat, you can change the litter box every couple days and you wont need to clean the whole cage as much. A litter box should be big enough for your rats to fully step into. I use inexpensive corner ferret/rabbit litter trays with fragrance-free paper pellet cat litter.

You'll also want to consider how you're going to cover the shelf in the cage. The shallow pan doesn't hold bedding but it still should be covered with something. I made "mats" out of fleece with an inner layer of an absorbent material and it worked well on the cage shelves.

u/cryogenetik · 2 pointsr/RATS

Re: houses and toys.

If you have a Joann's craft store in your area, just wait till they have a sale on anti-pill fleece (they have them like 75% of the year) and buy some cute colors you like. You can also buy the fleece online on the Joann's website. You can use fleece to line the bottom of the cage and you can also make it into hammocks and other fun items. Fleece is great because it's cheap and doesn't need to be sewn at all (it won't come apart in the wash either). I have a couple "real" beds that I bought, then I supplement the cage with pouches or random fabric scraps or other fun things made out of fleece. For example, if the ladies are small you can fill a tissue box with fleece scraps (or newspaper scraps). Other good things to buy are clips, ribbon, and paracord.

As for houses that fit lots of rats, I've had great luck with this pirate ship meant for ferrets. Ferret stuff in general is pretty big so the beds make a good "home base" for a big rat family. Just be sure to wash houses like that pretty regularly because the funny shape makes them hard to clean if they get really icky.

You can also buy PVC pipes from a hardware store to use as tubing for them to play and hide in.

There are also reasonably priced hammock/house sets on Etsy that I recommend if you can't sew yourself. One set seems expensive but you get so many pieces out of it and you're supporting everyday crafty people! That link is just one example of many vendors that specialize in that kind of thing.

For potty training, your best option is to put makeshift litter boxes in all 4 corners of the cage. I used shallow cheap tupperware containers, cut slits in them with scissors, and zip tied them to the walls of the cage so they couldn't be spilled (total cost <$10). Move poops into those containers until the rats are in the habit of always using a corner of the cage. Then get rid of the 2 or 3 least popular ones and upgrade the most popular one to a big litterbox. (This worked great for my first boys, but unfortunately my new babies are trouble makers and really love to just throw the litter all over the place so I have to pray that they figure out the one corner box eventually.)

u/kidneysforsale · 2 pointsr/RATS

Kaytee Clean and Cozy is my favorite soft paper bedding. It's kind of simlar to CareFresh, but I've found it to be superior in every way. It expands more, it's generally cheaper for the volume, and it's definitely less dusy in my experience. It won't be quite as good as fleece, because I think basically nothing other than maybe large shredded cardboard bedding would be the same.

I use fleece now for my rats cage, and in their litter boxes I've been using a mixture of Clean&Cozy and Yesterday's News, which is a pretty popular paper pellet litter. It's not soft though- literally it looks identical to my rabbits food; both my rats and my rabbits tried nibbling it when I first switched over haha. I don't think it would work well for a whole cage though; if you wanted to litter train, the two litters are different textures enough that the contrast might be helpful for box training.

u/coffeekittie · 1 pointr/RATS

The cage is a little on the small side for 2 rats. You really want something a bit bigger. Also, I can't really tell, but it looks like there's a grid in the base, which you'll want to either remove or cover with something other than bedding. The Ferplast Ferret Plus and Rat cage is good, as is The Ferplast Jenny cage. Those are really as small as I would go for two rats.

Edit: Just saw your comment. Definitely want a bigger cage than the one you posted if you're not going to have them out for a couple of hours every day. I don't recommend using wood in their cages. Untreated wood absorbs urine, and you'll have to toss it out after a day or two. You can, however, purchase neutral colored plastic boxes. You don't have to get the kind specifically designed for pocket pets. The stackable plastic bins that most stores sell for organizing your desk are a great option, and you can usually hang them from the cage side, too. Toys in their cage may be a bit harder to find in neutral colors. I have some toys [check out the bird section of pet shops for toys] that are made from natural fibers, with minimal amounts of bright colors. So it is possible, but they tend to be more expensive and destroyed a bit easier. Wood chews are almost always going to come in bright colors.

u/WolfPaws123 · 2 pointsr/RATS

I would line the floor pans with more fleece. One layer will be fine if they aren't heavy chewers. This gives them extra cushion on their feet and makes the whole cage a cozy place to nap.

If you do this, I'd also suggest a slab of some sort. I use countertop samples, but slabs of granite etc. are easy to purchase at a Home Depot or other DIY type store. This will provide a solid, cool surface to lounge on as well as keep the fleece anchored in that corner.

Tunnels! My ratties love their plastic, pvc, and cardboard tunnels. An alternative would be to use an empty tube of Quaker oats and punch out the bottom. Just throw them away after a few days to avoid grossness.

Scrap the wheel. If you can, try to get a solid plastic wheel without any wire. The wire wheels can catch their toes, tails, etc. They're also harsh on the bottoms of their feet.

Hammocks and hanging fleece tubes of all kinds are highly recommended. To name a few:

Pirate Hammock - $14.32

Pyramid Hammock - $10.21

Simple Hanging Tunnel - $7.00

Parrot toys and ladders also work well, just be sure they aren't made of pine. Pine is toxic to rats. Other types of "Soft Wood" are also harmful (softwood trees are cedar, Douglas fir, juniper, pine, redwood, spruce, and yew). Products and tree branches made of these are not safe to use in the cage.

Especially for young rats, it's important to let them climb. A thick rope, such as this parrot perch are excellent climbing toys. The clips attach firmly to any wall of the cage.

You can get as creative or as simple as you like!

See also: "The Grotto"

u/Zombeaver24 · 2 pointsr/RATS

I don’t know about bird toys but this puzzle feeder is supposed to be quite challenging for rats (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Living-World-Teach-n-Treat-Interactive-Toy/dp/B004HYW9B8?ref_=bl_dp_s_mw_1667779031). If your rat’s super smart tho, I’m not sure how long it’ll keep her interested XD

u/llamalena · 3 pointsr/RATS

One of my favorite thing to put out in the rat room has been this toy: https://www.amazon.com/Living-World-Teach-Treat-Toy/dp/B004HYW9B8. It's a learning toy with three different levels of difficulty for them to master finding treats in! Some rats will get all 3 levels right away, while others will struggle at even the basic level. It's both fun for them to improve their problem solving skills and fun for you to watch!

I also create nesting spots and hang hammocks around the room, so they can go lounge wherever. If you plan to give them long periods of time in the room with the cage open, it might also be a good idea to get a litter box for a corner or two.

They also make rat-sized ball pits. Some rats seem to love playing in them, while others are indifferent or afraid, so YMMV. Worst case scenario, the plastic balls can make for a good game of fetch. For a more DIY-approach, you can buy PVC tubing from a hardware store to create mazes and tunnels around for them to run through and hide in.

u/broccoliandbeans · 2 pointsr/RATS

Great, thanks for that info on the aspen, it sounds like it won’t be the best option for litter boxes. For paper pellet litter, you’re talking about something like this,

https://www.amazon.com/Purina-Yesterdays-News-Unscented-Litter/dp/B0002AQ0BQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=39IH0VULM46G9&keywords=paper+pellet+bedding&qid=1554233702&s=gateway&sprefix=paper+pellet+bedd&sr=8-1

?

Thanks again!!

Edit: JUST KIDDING, I just saw your post from 2 years ago that said yesterday’s news contains 40% sawdust.
😮

u/ApophisTheOwl · 6 pointsr/RATS

I got it on Amazon! I love it because you can shape it to fit in the cage :)

Ware Manufacturing Fun Tunnels Play Tube for Small Pets, 30 X 4 Inches - Medium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LUMU9M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_9grEybB9FBKF2

u/karatechick2114 · 1 pointr/RATS

We have 2 girls in a single critter nation with a situation similar to yours. One of our girls has bare front legs, as in she groomed off all the hair on the top of her front legs. We were worried about it to, but it hasn't increased. So I would say as long as it doesn't spread to her belly or anywhere else you should be ok. As well as looking out if it gets red or irritated looking.

My advice would be to get them some more things to play with, they don't have to be store bought, although they make plenty of those. Even if they have things to chew, they might just want to play with something or destroy something. Our girls rarely chew on the wood blocks we provided them. We got them this. They have since destroyed it and pulled all of the bars apart. They like to move them every night "upstairs" and every evening when we give them veggies we move them back "downstairs." It gives them something to do.

I would suggest some toys like these that they can move around or some leftover boxes they can fit into. I have also found that mine love the smaller paper bags they put wine/liquor in at some of the grocery stores. My one girl will tear it apart to shreds.

I hope this helps!

u/johnsnowluvr · 1 pointr/RATS

Hi! I make my own hammocks and my girls used to chew through them so fast I couldn't keep up with making new ones. So, I made a couple of adjustments that seem to help.

  1. I sew a big X through the flat sections of hammocks. This keeps them from chewing holes and burrowing in between layers of the hammocks. They used to burrow even in pocket hammocks, but now they reach that seem and stop chewing. Since they've learned that trick I've been able to keep a hammock stockpile and actually wash and reuse them.
  2. I use plastic baby rings to hang my hammocks. They're an add on item on Amazon and easy to use and replace. I probably have at least 100 of them in rotation. They're cute and colorful and my rats lost interest in chewing them after a couple weeks. I've been using them for a year now with no problems.

    Bright Starts Lots of Links Accessory Toy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ABZGU2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_qjjMzbVKPZGAQ

    You can see in this picture how I just punch a hole in the hammock itself to attach the ring. I used to make loops for hanging the rings but my girls loved chewing through them: https://imgur.com/gallery/ms9rd
u/Silliwench · 3 pointsr/RATS

I have multiple of these: Choco Nose H128 Water Bottle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S1SY1X0/

They don't drip or leak. They are easy to put anywhere in our cage. They are easy to clean. And they are VERY quiet, which is good because the fuzzles cage is in my girls' room.

u/caffeinatedecologist · 4 pointsr/RATS

spiral bird rope

bendy bird rope

wooden bridge

Sputnik/space pod

foraging toy

wooden climbing platforms

2-pack lava ledges

foraging wheel

Also a good idea might be to look up some rat safe treat recipes and make a little ratty goodie bag for them (banana chips, oats, dried pasta, certain seeds, etc.)

u/listenana · 2 pointsr/RATS

My grown girls loved it and as the younger rats aged up, they loved it too.

​

I just lost my final rat last week and the day before she died I saw her taking a leisure stroll on it. She loved the wheel.

I would give you the old wheel if I could, I think I bought this one? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AS956/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But get a bigger one if you can swing it. Especially if you have boys. (I always had girls and they were usually on the smaller side.)

u/corsician · 2 pointsr/RATS

These are technically ferret toys, but these pirate ships work pretty well as an enclosed hammock with a little bit of extra style.

u/MysticalBurrito · 2 pointsr/RATS

It's called a Fun Tunnel. :) I got one at PetSmart a while ago and they also sell them on Amazon

u/chemicalambrosia · 0 pointsr/RATS

I have the solution for you. Rats in general are really smart and good at regulating their food intake, but certain rat treats are irresistible to them. One rat treat, called yogis, will actually lead them to eat themselves to death because rats find it so delicious. All you have to do is buy a couple bags of these yogis and put them in your attic. Problem solved. https://www.amazon.com/eCOTRITION-Yogies-Hamster-Gerbil-3-5-Ounce/dp/B000FPH20G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519068149&sr=8-1&keywords=yogis+rat+treat

u/allergictopizza · 1 pointr/RATS

the pet store i work at sells cooling stones for chinchillas so maybe look into getting one of those? i honestly think it could work super well and it’s relatively cheap if it doesn’t work out but i’ll link it: cooling stone

u/Spokemaster_Flex · 2 pointsr/RATS

Super Pet Habitat Defined Enrichment Pod, Hide N' Go Treat
http://amzn.com/B002LE88VQ

This is the one they have. I got them the one with the levers, too, but it doest work too well with their treats. Every Petco I have ever been to has had them on sale at nearly half cost. Apparently birds don't like them that much.

u/Smooshjes · 2 pointsr/RATS

https://www.amazon.com/JW-Comfy-Perch-Flexible-Multi-color/dp/B0002AR754

Rope bird perch things are fun. Rope wrapped wire so can make all sort of shelves and bridges.

u/poesii · 2 pointsr/RATS
  • Boxes

  • Brown paper

  • Toilet paper tubes

  • A big, soft blanket on the ground

  • This thing

  • Their pet carrier

    I got them a ball pit and some other fancy toys, but they honestly don't care about any of that stuff and much prefer shredding paper and cardboard.
u/kaboom306 · 2 pointsr/RATS

I use the Flying Saucer wheel. Only one of my girls use it - and I laugh when she does - I have sitting on the floor of the cage in between 2 levels, so she jumps on the wheel to try and get to the next level and ends up running on it for about 5 minutes before she gives up and goes another way. She ends up doing this many times a day.

I like this type of wheel because I don't have to be concerned about spinal damage or tails or toes getting caught on something.

u/tealeaf_6201 · 2 pointsr/RATS

Well I would say this is a good starter cage for up to 4 rats https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ferplast-Jenny-Cage-79-5-Grey/dp/B001MZYINC

I went with girls first but they tend to get mamory tumors when older. But the same can be said for boys of testicals. So it's not much in it.

As for where to get them, in the UK at least pet stores are terrible for rats, they're always cramped into tiny glass boxes with like 4 other rats and seem to always have bad temperaments, so I always go to breeders. Most breeders aren't in it for money here and do it for the love of rats and for show rats. So they tends to not be too much more then store bought rats (store rats £7, breeder I got my 4 girls and 3 boys were £9 each roughly. Some different breeds/coats/colours were a few extra quid more)

With regards to vets I would say the average trip to actually get a procedure done was about £60-120 including meds and a check up after. But saying that I literally just had my 3, 4month boys neutered yesterday and that cost £120. So £40 each isn't bad.

Anything else gimme a shout

u/luhandsome · 2 pointsr/RATS

https://www.amazon.com/Choco-Nose-H128-Patented-Critter/dp/B00S1SY1X0/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1520573785&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=hamster+water+bottle&psc=1 this is the water bottle I use with this cage! It's a bit small and can be somewhat tricky screwing in but you get used to attaching it! Also doesn't leak!!

u/Beaglescout15 · 2 pointsr/RATS

Get one of these--the water bottle is in the outside of the cage and the nozzle goes through the bars, which is secured by a plastic screw.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S1SY1X0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_cWWuDbVYPMM8J

u/benny_normal · 2 pointsr/RATS

It’s a brand of yogurt treats for rats, gerbils, and hamsters 🐀

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FPH20G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_CJ92AbVSY4K3X

u/emmrolled · 1 pointr/RATS

I have this and it works well for my smallest and largest ratties. I'd just go with the 12", it will put less curve and pressure on their backs. I just put a little olive oil on the axis and it's silent.

u/herogurl01 · 7 pointsr/RATS

Many big name pet stores (Petco, Petsmart) sell this thing called a Chin-chiller. It's essentially a small piece of granite that by its nature stays cooler than room temperature. You can put it in their cage and they can lay on it to cool down.
https://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Chinchilla-Chiller-Granite-Stone/dp/B000A7707O

Seconding the frozen water bottle with a hand towel.

You could get one of these small desk fans for like $8 and point it directly in their cage: http://www.walmart.com/ip/34136721?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227023662628&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=53878145312&wl4=pla-101483560584&wl5=9008450&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=34136721&wl13=&veh=sem.

I don't recommend letting them splash around in the sink just because most rats really hate water and it will likely just stress them out like crazy.

u/eggpl4nt · 2 pointsr/RATS

> Just don't buy their food!!

Oh my god I bought Kaytee food. :( What brand of food should I get? It was the only one I saw in the petstore.

Edit: I bought this brand because it was all I could find - I looked at the Nutrition Information and I think the protien is a bit high for rats?

u/Megalonyx · 1 pointr/RATS

This thing seems to be hard to immediately destroy, due to its design. But reading comments, your mileage may vary, as I assume mine are just not as addicted to chewing stuff up as some.