How to Keep a Clean Rat Cage

Its important to keep your rats in a healthy environment that is also healthy for yourself and others living in its surroundings. Properly cleaning the cage can help extend the life of your rat and keep them from smelling bad.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Exquisicat paper pellets fragrance free odor control found at petsmart in the cat litter dept
• spray bottle
• 50/50 bleach water
• a bucket
• rag/sponge
• mild antibacterial soap

1. The first step would be to remove the rats from the cage.

2. Step 2 would be to remove any loose parts from the cage. Then place them in the bucket with the 50/50 bleach water.

3. While those parts are soaking, take the sponge and some mild antibacterial soap to clean out the interior of the cage. Rinse well.

4. Take the soaking loose parts and remove them from the bleach water and rinse them well. If obvious particles haven't been removed you may use the mild antibacterial soap to clean parts. Be sure to rinse well.

5. Once all parts are washed and have been dried, put all loose parts back into the cage.

6. Take the Exquisicat paper pellets and fill the bottom of the cage. These are great because they absorb the urine and prevent odor from occurring around the cage.

Tips & Warnings

• Rats like it when they can see what you are doing to your home. Have them around while you clean the cage. It keeps them from getting stressed.
• Complete break-down and cleaning should be done at least once per week.
• Keep bedding in the cage. Simple things such as a rag or an old t-shirt can be like Egyptian cotton sheets to a rat.
• Always keep fresh food and water available.
• Always be sure to rinse thoroughly when cleaning any parts of the cage! Any soap or bleach residue can be harmful to your little furry pets.

[zoegus]

on 10/13/2009 great tips on how to keep A Clean Rat Cage. 5*