How to Clean Out a Rat Cage

Maintaining a clean habitat for your pet rat is important to keep the rat both happy and healthy. You should plan to do a thorough cleaning of the cage at least once a week and spot-check it several times between weekly cleanings.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rat cage
• Temporary rat cage (or other safely enclosed area)
• Hot water
• Dish soap
• Scrub brush
• Sanitizing solution
• Paper towels
• Shavings and litter
• Fresh food
• Clean water
• Rat dishes
• Rat accessories

1. Remove your rat from his cage and place in a safe, confined area, such as another cage or enclosed "play-space."

2. Discard any litter, shavings, old food or other garbage material.

3. Remove the food dish, water dish and accessories from the cage. Soak dishes and water-safe accessories in hot, soapy water using a household dish soap.

4. Scrub the cage using hot water, household dish soap water and a scrub brush. Be sure to remove all debris from the cage bottom and walls. Scrub cage accessories, as well.

5. Rinse the cage and accessories thoroughly with hot water.

6. Disinfect the cage and all accessories with a sanitizing solution. Mix chlorine bleach with cool water in the ratio of 1/2 tbsp. bleach per one gallon of water. Spray cage and accessories with this solution. Let sit at least 2 minutes and then wipe clean.

7. Allow the cage and accessories to air dry, if possible, or dry with paper towels.

8. Return cage accessories to the cage. Fill food and water dishes. Provide fresh shavings and litter as appropriate.

9. Return your rat to a clean home.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a number of cloth accessories on hand. Rotate them weekly, washing those not in use in your washing machine.
• The cages of breeding rats and sick rats require extra thorough cleaning, perhaps even twice a week.
• Glass aquarium cages may require cleaning twice a week depending on the number of rats, as urine causes buildup of the chemical ammonia, which is harmful to both rodent and human respiratory systems.
• Do not use scented (perfumed) cleaners or detergents.
• Clean your rat's cage in a well ventilated area.
• Make sure all cleaning solutions have been completely rinsed from your rat's cage and accessories. Cleaning solution residue is harmful to your rat's health.

Resources

• Learn about pet rat care at Ratguide.com.
• Learn more about pet rats at Ratfanclub.org.
• American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association.