A question I’m often asked by people researching rat ownership is how much do pet rats smell? There is no one answer – it depends partly on the sex (boys have a distinct, although not unpleasant smell), partly on how often the owner cleans them out, and partly on how well they take to litter…
For the last few weeks, my life has been one long session of rat introductions. This year brought five new rescues into my home, all lone rats who need to make friends with the Horde. Understanding rat behavior can be a bit tricky. Let’s look at some of the behaviors that rats show when they…
Choosing what rat bedding to use in a cage is one of the most important decisions a rat owner makes. Rats live in really close contact with their bedding so it is vital that it is safe, comfortable and suited to their needs. Why Do Rats Need Bedding? There are three types of bedding that…
![Rat Cage Setup Ideas & Tips to Encourage Activity [+ Photos]](https://www.animallama.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Rat-Cage-Setup-Ideas-cover-768x452.jpg)
This weekend I’ve introduced two new neutered boys into my group (known as The Horde). That brings my total number of pet rats to eight – three neutered boys and five girls – and offers the perfect opportunity to change the rat cage setup and encourage everyone to get more exercise. Setting up a large…
You’ve decided that rats are the right pets for you, and you’ve got everything set up to make them a great home. Now comes one of the trickiest decisions in a pet owner’s career – choosing the right names! I’ve named over 70 rats in my time, ranging through flowers, sweets, characters from children’s books…
Keeping your rats’ cage clean, odor-free and healthy requires some regular effort. Rats themselves are actually very clean animals who routinely groom themselves and can be litter trained. But any home gets grubby with time, so our rats still need our help with the housework. Why is It Important to Regularly Clean the Rat Cage?…