How to Reduce the Odor From Pet Rats

Domesticated rodents, whether rats or mice, make cute and affectionate pets, but, like many pet mammals, they urinate to mark their territory. Even rodent-owner groups like the Rat and Mouse Club of America admit the smell that builds up in rat cages can be unpleasant. Experienced pet owners, however, know simple solutions to keep smells to a minimum with only a little more work.

Things You'll Need

  • Fresh bedding
  • Disinfectant
  • Baking soda
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean rat cages regularly, replacing soiled bedding and wiping down glass and metal surfaces. The American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association recommends changing the bedding every three to five days and wiping and disinfecting surfaces once a week.

    • 2

      Keep the temperature and humidity low to reduce odor, but not so low that the rodents will suffer. The Rat and Mouse Club recommends a temperature range of 65 to 80 degrees F and a humidity of 30 to 70 percent to keep your pets in good health.

    • 3

      Open the windows. Letting a room air out will reduce the odor concentration.

    • 4

      Purify the air. Purification can be done with an air filter to collect odors or chemically by putting down a dish of baking soda near the rat cage.

    • 5

      Spay or neuter rats. This will affect the smell of their urine, though the Rat and Mouse Club recommends against surgery just for odor control.