What Essential Supplies Are Needed for Rats?
After selecting you cage, feed, bedding, and litter what else do you need before bringing your rats home?
- Water Bottles: You need at least 2 water bottles in your cage at all times.
- Water Bowl: We always have a bowl of fresh water as another source of water in our cages in case of water bottle malfunction.
- Lava Ledges: These help to wear down sharp toenails.
- Hides: At least one hide should be fully enclosed with only one opening. We find many great plastic hides in the reptile and aquarium sections at PetSmart and PetCo!
- Hammocks: Rats love to cuddle in hammocks for sleeping! These need washed frequently and also get chewed up quickly so order several at a time.
- Savic Sputnik Small Animal House: A favorite of every rat!
- Fall Breakers: Clutter your cage with ropes, perches, ledges, baskets, hanging planters, ect to prevent rats from falling! You should have no more than a hand width between items to prevent the rats from falling large distances. Plus this provides them with plenty of enrichment!
- Air Purifier: This will help with rat odor and also prevent rats from getting respiratory infections!
- Exercise Wheels: To prevent rats from damaging their spines wheels should be at least 14" for females and 16" for males. Look for wheels designed for Chinchillas. These are expensive and are not an essential thing for rats.
Amazon list to many of these items can be found here: Amazon Rat Supply List