How to Decrease Pet Rat Odor

Pet rats can make very interesting and loyal companions. They do have some drawbacks, however. The smell rats and other rodents produce can be very disagreeable to some people. Interestingly, this smell does not come from the rat itself, but rather from the cage that harbors it. You can follow some basic procedures to decrease the odor of a pet rat in your home.

Things You'll Need

  • Clean rodent bedding material
  • Water bottle that attaches to cage
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean your rat's cage. Rats tend to go to the bathroom whenever they feel the urge. This means their feces and urine can cover the cage if not cleaned out regularly. Rats also spread items of food around the cage. Often, the food gets left to rot, causing an odor. Your rat's cage should be thoroughly cleaned every three to five days. Dispose of all old bedding and papers. Clean the surfaces of the cage with soap and water a couple of times a month.

    • 2

      Line the rat cage with absorbent paper. Do not use newspapers that contain large amounts of colored dye. Plain newsprint works well. Many pet stores supply specialty paper used to line rodent cages.

    • 3

      Add bedding material to the clean cage. Do not use cedar or pine products, as they can contain toxic substances that may harm the health of your rat. Hardwood shavings work well for bedding. Fresh, clean straw is absorbent and provides your rat with something to gnaw on. Formulated bedding products are also available. Use ones that contain natural, nontoxic ingredients specified for use in rodent cages. Some have added herbs to aid in odor control.

    • 4

      Replace water bowls with water bottles. Water bowls should not be used in pet cages because they tend to become contaminated. Bowls are also easily spilled, which creates wet bedding in the cage. Water bottles made for hanging upside down in pet cages help keep the water clean. There are numerous styles available, but all should be checked for leakage and dripping from the spout. Often a particle of bedding or food may become lodged in the spout mechanism, causing the water to run out. Cage feeders are also available to hold the food up off the floor, allowing less chance of contamination.

    • 5

      Check the health of your rat. If good cage sanitation practices do not reduce the odor, it is possible that your rat may have an underlying physical disorder. Dental decay is not uncommon in rats that do not have access to chew toys or devices. Rats need to gnaw to keep their teeth from overgrowing. This decay may cause an odor around the rat's mouth and nose area. Wounds and abdominal disorders also can cause an unpleasant odor to emit from your rat. Your veterinarian may recommend a change of diet if all other health concerns check out well.