List of things for a habitat

[Curiose]

I am making a list of things that I know off the top of my head that I will need for a rat habitat.

A cage -- in the makings
hammocks
Bedding
bowls for feed
water feeder[? Is it possible to just use a bowl?]
ropes
toys
food
vet -- looking around for one

if I forgot anything, please let me know!

[RattiesSix]

Hammock hangers. Most of us use binder rings or shower hooks.
Make sure you get bedding that is not pine or cedar. I use aspen.
I don't recommend using a bowl. Rats can and will play in the water and tip it over, or drop food and bedding into it. Or put poop in it, if they're rude. You want a water bottle. If you don't have chewers, plastic is fine. Otherwise, I recommend glass.
Food. Make sure you get a good quality food. Nothing like Kaytee or any crappy offbrand foods or seed mixes. You want a good rat block like Oxbow or Harlan Teklad/Native Earth. You can also use Mazuri. Be prepared to have to order online.
Toys. Make sure you get a variety of interactive toys like balls and hanging toys.
Chews. Rats really appreciate chews of all sorts. In my cage I have some hanging chews with various woods, pumice, cardboard tubes, wooden beads, etc.
Things that I constantly haven't thought about but ended up needing to get while having rats:
Baby wipes.
A container for food and possibly bedding.
Things to sanitize the cage, I use white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. But I also bleach cages between different rats, or bleach plastic hidies if someone gets sick, etc.
A carrier. I use a cat carrier with a blanket draped over it for car rides and vet visits.
Treats for trust training like baby yogurt drops (Healthier than petstore yogurt drops) or gerber puffs and babyfood.
Wheel. I recommend Wodent Wheels. Some people recommend Silent Spinners, but my Wodent Wheel tends to be quieter.

Remember that you'll also want to have a vet fund set up. Especially if you plan on getting your rats from a pet store, as they're more likely to come home with things like mites or a respiratory infection.

Which reminds me, gallon baggies are also SUPER useful because you want to freeze food and bedding before use to kill off any potential ectoparasites.

[Curiose]

Thank you!

I am wanting to adopt from the local spca.  As far as I know, they do vet checks on their available animals, and won't let them be adopted if sick, correct?

[RattiesSix]

They definitely should do vet checks before putting them on the adoption floor! A vet fund is definitely still a must, though.

[ArielleZTB]

Well, RattiesSix pretty much covered it. I'll still make a list of things I use/have though. Never a such thing as too much info And of course you don't have to use the exact same brands or all this stuff.

FOOD:
Food bowl. I like the kind that attach to the side of the cage
Water bottle(s)
Oxbow Regal Rat Food
Dry Mix for added nutrients and variety (I buy mine from Shawna Laufer but there are other very good people to order from as well. Or you can make your own)
Fresh Fruits and Veggies such as carrots, broccolli, squash, spinach, blueberries, strawberries, melon, apples, bananas, etc
Treats. My rats love yogurt drops and also this Gerber Graduates puff cereal snack. It's healthy and they go crazy for them!
Yogurt and soft baby food

TOYS/CAGE ACCESSORIES:
Multiple standard hammocks
Hanging beds, tubes, honeycomb hammocks
Fleece ropes
Chew sticks
Birds toys
Plastic baskets
Igloo or other hidey house
Boxes
Cat toys (NO catnip though!)
Hanging cubes/triangles
Hanging hooks for toys
A wheel-I do not have one anymore, but I do recommend one

The Dollar Store has GREAT plastic baskets and dog/cat toys!

BEDDING:
I use liners made of fleece
ExquisiCat Unscented Paper Pellets for litterbox
Fleece scraps for nesting
newspaper or towels for under the liners

CLEANING:
Unscented baby wipes for spot cleaning the cage daily
Paper towels
For weekly cleans I use this pet/baby safe natural spray cleaner. But a vinegar mix will suffice
Scent free detergent for washing any fabric toys

EXTRAS:
Money for a vet incase they get ill
Bonding pouch. This isn't necessary. In fact I personally, do not own one but  a lot of people swear by them
A carrier for vet appoitments
An extra small temp. cage-you never when you'll need one!


Okay, I'm probably missing something major here, but I did this all off the top of my head

[Rzrwyre]

Hey, just curious...Arielle...I've never ever given rats catnip...but is it poisonous, or just not recommened?  Oh, the "homegrown" stuff was a real hit with the kitties!

  - Raaz.

[Lynke]

Every one pretty much covered it XD I can't stress enough about the vet fund though. I'm currently paying 116$ so I can bring two rats in so my vet can say "yep! It's a tumor" and then charge me even more money to remove the tumor, plus the meds I need due to upper respitory infections. Not to mention I got hit with a case of mites in my colony at the same time... Which reminds me freeze your litter, you'll be much happier for the hassle.

Also here is what I have in my cage always
Igloo
PVC pipe connectors
Food dishes with harlan teklad
Water bottles
Lots of different style hammocks. I suggest hand sewing them or you could even use old shirts
wood chews
Wash clothes or fabric scrapes for them to hoarde
Interesting branches I found and disinfected myself
A brick for their nails

Things I sometimes have in the cage
Card board tube stuffed with treats and paper and closed on both ends
Cereal necklace tied to the top of the cage
Full tissue box
Empty boxes
Boxes stuffed with paper
Egg carton filled with treats
Egg carton filled with treats and stuffed in another box
Eco crinkled bedding
Random treats hidden
Paper/tissues/paper towel
Paper bag stuffed with paper
Wooden structures I build for them and throw out when they get gross

Outside their cage
Huge box with many holes cut in it
Many little boxes
Hidden treats
Tunnels
Blankets
Towels
Dig box
A cat feather toy I drag around (also works with paper rips)

Things I want to get for inside their cage
A Sputnik
More hammocks :3
Lava ledges
Wooden bird hang

Hope this gave you some ideas

[Curiose]

Do most vets require you to pay up front or are there allowances to do payments?
I ask because some pet owners I know who have had to deal with unexpected emergencies [cue in a 17 year old cat getting a leg amputated that was broken],  are on a payment plan with their vet.

[Lynke]

Most of the vets in my city do not but it varies. A lot of them take carecredit which is like a credit card for your vet. I don't know a lot about carecredit other then I have seen some vets in my area accept it. I suggest you research the vets in your area, call them and ask about payment plans. Research carecredit as well. However a vet fund of cash you tucked away is always best to have even if only as a buffer to your payment plan. I am probably going to spend 200+ on this vet visit so I am very happy I had 150 tucked away and a mother nice enough to help me out with extra expenses though I do have to pay her back.

[RattiesSix]

My vet will not take payments, hence needing a vet fund. Even being a customer there for years and always paying my bill, their billing manager won't allow it.

[ArielleZTB]

Hey, just curious...Arielle...I've never ever given rats catnip...but is it poisonous, or just not recommened?  Oh, the "homegrown" stuff was a real hit with the kitties!

  - Raaz.

Honestly, I'm not 100% sure EXACTLY why, but I have heard multiple times that it has a similiar affect on rats as humans (sedative) and too much can really harm them. My opinion is to just stay away from it because I'd rather be safe than sorry

[msommers]

I would only add that you will want an old thick blanket, quilt, or comforter. It is to throw over the furniture or bed that you let your rats out on. When young, they tend to "go" more often. Even when adults some mark.

Expect really stinky doody when you first get them--fear poop. Litter train, if you can. My experience with this was actually pretty good until my vet decided that India's sneezing was due to an allergy to the litter I used. When I changed to a different type, she quit using it, but didn't quit sneezing. The point of this is to make sure you have more bedding than you think you need to start--liners, towels, whatever you decide to use. You will change it out more often at first.

[Rzrwyre]

Most vets will NOT allow payments later.  I just happen to be lucky, but don't take the risk.  If the rattie or other creature needs to go in, they do.

Hey, a favorite thingie my rats always loved was hiding a small treat (just say a couple of cheerios or whatnot) in a square of paper...without print (I worry about the ink being bad for them), and crumbling it up so that they have to open up the whole thing.

- Raaz.

[ohhaiimeg]

Things I want to get for inside their cage
A Sputnik
More hammocks :3
Lava ledges
Wooden bird hang

Hope this gave you some ideas

I didn't knw rats could use lava ledges. Like the kind for chinchillas?? What about other lava products like the chews and stuff??

[MiserySmith]

Everyone's basically covered it.
I just wanted to add that I use a water bowl without issues. Once in a while I find a single poop in it (because it's underneath a level) but they get fresh water every day so it's okay. They like to grab the water with their paws and drink from them, or literally clean their hands in the water.. and I don't want to take that from them. Plus they don't have litter everywhere so not much mess can get in it.

[RooRat]

To freeze food and bedding, you can also use those plastic coffee cans - my parents buy this type of coffee for their office, so when they're empty I steal them, wash them, and freeze my food and bedding in them. Works great for freezing and storage!

[cerulean.blue]

Things I want to get for inside their cage
A Sputnik
More hammocks :3
Lava ledges
Wooden bird hang

Hope this gave you some ideas

I didn't knw rats could use lava ledges. Like the kind for chinchillas?? What about other lava products like the chews and stuff??

Yep, the kind used for chinchillas. My rats LOVE them. I kept looking at them in the store going, "They're not going to use this-- it's going to be a waste of money." I eventually gave in and bought one, and now I have about 6 of them, because they use them all the time. I make steps going up and down to hammocks, and front and back in the cage. They also love just hopping up on them to look around (or stare at me with the  face to get treats). Mine don't get chewed too much (my guys seem to prefer apple wood or paper/fabric for chewing), but there are some nibble marks. Anyways, I definitely recommend them!

[Lynke]

Yep rats do use lava ledges from what I have seen I was looking through the critter nation thread and a few people have them that is what gave me the idea. As cerulean does, I would like to use them to make little steps.

[cerulean.blue]

Yep rats do use lava ledges from what I have seen I was looking through the critter nation thread and a few people have them that is what gave me the idea. As cerulean does, I would like to use them to make little steps.

Usually, mine get set up something like this:



Sometimes it's annoying when they hang off the door and you're trying to open it though. Some weeks, I set them up in the bottom level, or I split them between the top and the bottom, and sometimes I put them on the sides.

[mutewolf]

  This is an awesome thread.
I'm planning to upgrade my boys into a Fiesty Ferret soon and am worried I'm not going to have enough things! Haha. I'll have to start collecting stuff soon.

[K Rat1417]

This is a great thread & everyone else seemed to cover everything.  I have a couple things to add though

1.  You may want to think about making/buying liners.  Even if you're planning on using bedding some cage shelves really need to be covered to protect rattle feet,  that's were liners come in.
I make liners with fleece/fleece, fleece/Cotton, or fleece/flannel.  Once I make them I usually grommets the corners so I can attach them to the cage, & then I sew criss-cross lines across them to help with durability & with chewing (it seems to lessen the chewing) .

& a little first aid kit is always good.

Things for playtime are always good, but rats are easy to please so blankets, tunnels, boxes, tubes, etc are really fun for them.  I wouldn't worrry about gathering everything beforehand though.  Along the way of owning rats your stash will increase because you'll keep finding things that they'll just love lol.

You also may want a HEPA filter, but it's not necassary, it can just help with smells.

[Rzrwyre]

Only one last note: 

Paper rolls...I've known some people who had rats just the right side who got stuck in them. 

Toilet paper rolls:  Some are worried that the germs from the bathroom could be bad for rats...I don't know for sure, but toilets kind of spew germs when flushed.

Paper towel rolls...they can be kind of fun to cut smaller, and again, but treats in them, with the edges folded out.  (Though again the concern about getting  stuck if smaller).

Also, there are various rat water things, but most every finds that they love "pea fishing,"  This can just be in a big bowl, or even cooler, if you want your rats to like water, something like a painting tray that kind of has a ramp, so they can settle into it.

Rats are terribly smart and can learn many things.  I am sorry, but I lost my link.  There is a fellow who really trains his rats, keeps them very active and healthy, on you tube.  I think you can find him...he's got a TON of videos.  (If I find it again, I'll post it).

Best,

Raaz.

[Selskia]

One of my boys actually seems to prefer using a water dish - as long as it's low and heavy, it shouldn't get tipped over. And placing it (securely!) in the upper levels of the cage largely seems to prevent fouling issues. That said, bottles are definitely the way to go for a lot of reasons, but a water dish might be good as a supplemental 'toy'. Pea fishing!

Also adding to the list of lava ledge users. The rats love to hang out on them, and I'm hoping that the rough surface will at least -help- keep their nails trim.

[ohhaiimeg]

cerulean.blue thank you so much. I am for sure gone have to get some for my girls

[ceopet]

I am seconding the recommendation to use fleece for liners. Especially if you get a shallow panned cage like a Critter Nation. What I do in my cage is I have basic fleecle liners and under them I put a towel I find the towel really helps to soak up the urine and keep the smell down. I just buy rat towels at the thrift store usually for less than two bucks a piece. I am trying to teach myself to sew liners but it's slow going so I've had to buy them from some of the lovely Hammock sellers in the merchant section on here. Same with hammocks. If you go the fleece route you will want to train your rats to poop in a litter box. Mine go with varying degrees of success. For the litter I love fresh News. Most paper pellet litters are safe just make sure they say one hundred percent paper on them. Yesterdays News is not one of the ones that are safe as they do  contain sawdust.

I am also with the wter bottle crowd. Much more sanitary than bowls and they can't get tipped over. I like glass ones better lixit makes some really nice ones that you can order from Drs. Foster and Smith. For food bowls I use large heavy ceramic bowls. I got some really cute brown ones wit hdark colored hearts on the sides in the dog section at Petco. The small animal section had some but none in the size I needed for four rats so the lady on duty told me to check out the dog section. I also got a bowl for their nightly veggies in the cat section lol.

Bird toys are great for rats. Wiffle balls and jingly cat balls too. Also feather toys are great for chasing outside of the cage. I also have this Awesome sat food balkl that has different sized holes in it that I'll stick extra yummy goodies in and make them work a little to get them out. I also reccommend theese things that they make for birds called treat pods...I got the easiest one for my guys and all three of the babies figured out how to use it in a matter of minutes it took my older one a little longer but he got it too, I am gonna try getting them the next hardest one and seeing if thy'll get it.

I also say gtting a paint roller tray from the hardware store is a great idea. I have one for my crew and one of my rats has learned to llove it so much that he'll stick his cute little face under the water to get the peas.  I got some awesome stones at the dollar store to decorate it up and I throw little junky things in ther like soda bottle capes and plastic eggs and wiffle balls.

also please do not buy your rats from a petsotre look for rescues or go with a GOOD breeder.