Where To Put Rat While Cleaning Cage?

Rat cage cleaning is a tricky task for most pet parents. Cage cleaning not only requires time and effort, but you also need to find a proper place to keep your rats while cleaning their home. 

So, if you ask exactly where can you put your pet rat while cleaning the cage, the definite answer is gonna’ be You can put rats in a separate cage, glass aquarium, or play with them while a family member is cleaning the cage.

Rats are funny, adorable, curious, and smart little pets. They try to invade anything and everything present in their living space. Rat cage cleaning becomes difficult sometimes as you have to pay undivided attention to your little friends while you do all the cleaning work.

In this article, we will discuss where to put rats while cage cleaning and all other related details.

Do This With Rats While Cleaning Cage

It is a burning question to most pet rat owners and I have been asked this uncountable number of times. Where exactly to put a pet rat when we are cleaning their cage? 

The answer is you can put your little pet rat in a separate glass aquarium which has many small holes to allow ample ventilation. You may also put them in a separate rat cage that you may have for emergency usage. 

OR you can play with them while another family member cleans the cage thoroughly. 

Let’s accept it, fancy pet rats are super-curious and quick little animals, who are constantly on an adventure, exploring their surrounding space. It is fun to look at them while playing.

But, when cleaning or busy with some other work that requires serious attention, pet rats can be frustrating. Dealing with these super-curious pets becomes a big ordeal for many pet owners. 

Not all of us have a rat-proof house. It is thus very important to place your rats safely while cleaning their cage, so they may not get themselves in painful mischief.

I used to play around with my pet rat Goofy while my mother did all the rat cage cleaning. But as she got her chores to do, I decided to get a separate cage to put her in while I did all the needful.

An Ideal Alternative Rat Cage

While planning to design or buy a secondary or alternative rat cage you must take into consideration the size and nature of rats. These rodents require a large enclosure with toys and accessories to climb, chew and play with. 

A large size wire enclosure with a small mesh of wires is the ideal design suited for most rats. As they are tiny-sized, it is easy for rats to pass through small openings. It is advisable to check the wire gapping before choosing the right alternative cage for your pet rats.

Glass aquariums with small holes on lids are a well-ventilated option to transfer your rats while cage cleaning. But keeping them in glass aquariums for a long time is not a good option. 

Glass cages restrict rat movements and create unnecessary stress when they can not climb, run, chew and explore their surroundings while playing.

Below listed are some ideas to help you build an ideal alternative rat cage for your beloved pesto transfer them while you are busy cleaning the main one:

• Large size, thick color quoted, and blunt wire cage to climb on and explore and run around. Also, this will ensure proper ventilation and help you keep a proper check on your pet rats all the while.
• Secure and cozy nest boxes to help them cuddle around and sleep with cage mates.
• Make sure to place a widespread tray under the cage to collect all the solid ratty wastes. This will keep your floor clean. You can simply throw out the solid wastes daily and put the ray back to place.
• Always put a small rat feeder tray and water bowl in one corner of the cage. On the opposite side, place the litter box for your pet arts. 
• If your rat cage has wire lining on the floor, make sure to line it up with solid flooring to help your pets walk properly. Lino floorings work best for such flooring purposes. 
• It is important to settle for natural paper, cloth, and wooden chips-sized rat bedding. Rats have sensitive noses, thus choosing cedar wood dust or sawdust bedding is toxic and can harm their noses and cause serious health hazards. 

These are basic factors to check before you plan or build a rat cage for your furry friends. So, be it a monthly cage cleaning day or a regular day, always make sure that you provide the basics of your rat cage right. 

If it takes more than one day to properly clean your rat’s cage, you have to be backed up by a secondary cage to transfer your pets there for the interval.

However, when you are not using the secondary rat cage, you can also choose to wrap it up in a plastic cover and keep it aside in your storage room. You can also use the alternative cage for emergency purposes. 

If any of your rats turn sick suddenly it is better to move them in a comfortable separate space. OR you can also use the secondary rat cage to nurse a pregnant rat mother and give her the extra attention she needs during her pregnancy.

It is always good to back yourself up with the right kind of tools and supplies that you may need for your pets. A secondary rat cage tops the list in this case.

Our pets deserve a beautiful and healthy life. Our little help and careful activities can assist them with all the health and hygiene they deserve. Always remember when you can not afford undivided attention for your rats while cage cleaning, it is better to ask for help. Happy Pet Parenting!