When Judd sits in the food dish...

[toad]

K, all 5 boys are on their 2nd night together in the 695!
Judd likes to sit IN the food dish though - other than blockin' the way for others (heehee smart guy)....Do ya think he marks in it?
Maybe as he gets bigger he won't fit in it anyway

[Twila]

I've gotten bird feeders, the kind that hang on the side of the cage, and several of them and hung them in a row so my girl won't sit in it she sometimes poops in the food!!! She was a pet store and has no manners when it comes to this sort of thing!lol  She'll steal food from the other ratties ,  poop in the basket ,  any ideas on how to teach ettiquette to her, the other's are so polite, sweet, and poop where their suppose to!  They even wash their hands in the little cup I provide for them!!!  Watched Mowse dipping her hands and then washing her face!!!  

[Idarat]

Does Judd mark in his food dish?  Let me see..... Is the sky blue, the pope catholic, my ratties hungry?? (just teasing) My guess, if he's anything like my guys, is that he does.  Not one of our friends' more appealing habits.  If it makes you feel better, I got my guys a littler box (which they happily use when they feel like it, or happen to be in the neighborhood) and now they fight over who gets to sit in it while eating.  Geez...

[toad]

I tried the litter box too....and was THRILLED when Dizzy immediately pooped in it! Of course he slept in it, ate in it...it was a nice thought.
OK, so will the other rats eat the food if he marks it? Or do I just figure they probably mark the food they stash anyway? What a little pipsqueak...

[Skagit Rat]

Ben has decided that his litterbox is the best place in his cage to sleep.  He uses it for its intended purpose and when he's ready for a nap he throws in some shredded newspaper and goes to sleep.  He's got several other options for places to sleep but has decided he really likes the litterbox.  Not exactly my idea of a comfy but but, oh well, he's happy.