Housing

Housing

Don't hem your rats into a hamster home. Don't jam them into a gerbil cage. They need a very large home, specially designed with rats in mind.

Their ideal cage is made of wire. You can keep a rat in a wooden cage. But not for long – they'll gnaw through it in no time. And different levels connected by tunnels are a must.

Indoors beats outdoors hands down: rats hate being cold. They hate being hot too, so keep the cage at a constant temperature, away from draughts and radiators. Other places to avoid: anywhere near anything noisy. Keep TVs, loudspeakers and household appliances at a distance.

Bedding – line the cage floor with paper-based litter and cover it with shredded paper for bedding. Never use wood shavings, sawdust or fine litter. The dust may irritate and cause an allergic reaction.

Sleeping – there should be a separate sleeping area for your rats to nest in, filled with lovely soft bedding material. Shredded tissue paper is very comfy. Steer clear of straw – it's too sharp and may damage your pets' mouths.

Cleaning – rats are very clean and good hygiene is vital to their good health. Clean the cage thoroughly once a week and replace all the lining and bedding. Have a quick check two or three times a week to remove droppings and dirt.