Rat Cage Checklist

Water bottle: It is very important that your rat has a water bottle. Or at least a water source. From my experience a water bottle is much better than a bowl because my rats will tip over the bowl and put food in it making their water dirty. It is also suggested that their water is poured out and refilled everyday to keep it as safe and refreshing as possible.

Food bowl: Food bowls are just as important as water. they should always have enough food in them to be eating throughout each day. Rats like to graze rather than having a few large meals. Unlike some pets you do not set out a dish of food and expect them to be done with  it in 5 minutes. You set out a bowl of food and should expect to top it off later in the day.

Bedding: Paper bedding or fleece bedding are some of the best for critter cages. I personally started with paper bedding and migrated to fleece after I realized how much easier it was to clean their cage without all the little paper pieces. The bedding, or dirty parts of the bedding, should be cleaned out daily. Overall there should be at least one in depth cleaning a week which will include replacing the paper bedding or washing the fleece bedding. 

Hammocks: It is a known fact that rats love hammocks. My rats LOVE to curl up in their hammocks and sleep. Or they will have a meal up there. Hammocks can be purchased or made. Critter hammocks can be made out of any animal safe fabric. One thing you must be careful of is that the ropes (or supports) for the hammock won't be quickly broken or chewed through.

Toys: Toys are very important. It helps your rats have active minds. They will be challenged especially if they are motivated by food inside of a toy. Chew toys that can keep their teeth within an acceptable length are also very useful. Rats teeth will grind down as they bite rough things at the same rate as they grow so that they will stay the right size. 

Platforms: It is important that rats have areas up high in their cage that they can hang out. you want there to be multiple levels so that they don't feel confined to the first level. I started with plastic platforms but switched to 3 hammocks at different levels and sides of the cage.