Cages.
My rats live in a custom built shed in large cages. The main cages are currently explorers though we also have various smaller cages that are used when needed.
Our smallest cages are marys but these are used only as nursing cages as they are too small for permanent rat housing, A furet sized cage is the smallest sized cage we would home a pair to live in. Tanks are not suitable as rat housing due to poor ventilation and the lack of climbing oportunities.
Bedding and toys.
We alternate what substrate is used in our cages. We have used auboise, bedmax, good quality horse shavings and cardboard squares in the past.
Our rats also have litter trays in their cages to try to keep mess at a minimum. They currently have biocatolet in their trays. Litter needs to be paperbased.
Rats are very intelligent animals and enjoy toys and hammocks in their cages. Lots of household items make excellent rat toys with a little imagination. You can buy wooden toys which will be enjoyed but beware they will get chewed!
Feeding.
Our rats currently have a version of the shaunamite diet. Our base food changes based on what is easily available at the time but is usually a rabbit mix such as alpha herbal. With this they have various low sugar cereals to add variation. In colder weather they get a small amount o fprotein and pasta added.
Kittens need a diet that is higher in protein until 12 weeks. Kittens here will get fresh food daily to suppliment their dry mix. They will have things such as vitalin, lactol, scrambled egg, curly kale and chicken.
All our rats get fresh food on a regular basis, usually vegetables which they enjoy.
My rats live in a custom built shed in large cages. The main cages are currently explorers though we also have various smaller cages that are used when needed.
Our smallest cages are marys but these are used only as nursing cages as they are too small for permanent rat housing, A furet sized cage is the smallest sized cage we would home a pair to live in. Tanks are not suitable as rat housing due to poor ventilation and the lack of climbing oportunities.
Bedding and toys.
We alternate what substrate is used in our cages. We have used auboise, bedmax, good quality horse shavings and cardboard squares in the past.
Our rats also have litter trays in their cages to try to keep mess at a minimum. They currently have biocatolet in their trays. Litter needs to be paperbased.
Rats are very intelligent animals and enjoy toys and hammocks in their cages. Lots of household items make excellent rat toys with a little imagination. You can buy wooden toys which will be enjoyed but beware they will get chewed!
Feeding.
Our rats currently have a version of the shaunamite diet. Our base food changes based on what is easily available at the time but is usually a rabbit mix such as alpha herbal. With this they have various low sugar cereals to add variation. In colder weather they get a small amount o fprotein and pasta added.
Kittens need a diet that is higher in protein until 12 weeks. Kittens here will get fresh food daily to suppliment their dry mix. They will have things such as vitalin, lactol, scrambled egg, curly kale and chicken.
All our rats get fresh food on a regular basis, usually vegetables which they enjoy.