How to Clean Out a Rat Cage

Maintaining a clean habitat for your pet rat is important to keep the rat both happy and healthy. You should plan to do a thorough cleaning of the cage at least once a week and spot-check it several times between weekly cleanings.

Things You'll Need

  • Rat cage
  • Temporary rat cage (or other safely enclosed area)
  • Hot water
  • Dish soap
  • Scrub brush
  • Sanitizing solution
  • Paper towels
  • Shavings and litter
  • Fresh food
  • Clean water
  • Rat dishes
  • Rat accessories
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove your rat from his cage and place in a safe, confined area, such as another cage or enclosed "play-space."

    • 2

      Discard any litter, shavings, old food or other garbage material.

    • 3

      Remove the food dish, water dish and accessories from the cage. Soak dishes and water-safe accessories in hot, soapy water using a household dish soap.

    • 4

      Scrub the cage using hot water, household dish soap water and a scrub brush. Be sure to remove all debris from the cage bottom and walls. Scrub cage accessories, as well.

    • 5

      Rinse the cage and accessories thoroughly with hot water.

    • 6

      Disinfect the cage and all accessories with a sanitizing solution. Mix chlorine bleach with cool water in the ratio of 1/2 tbsp. bleach per one gallon of water. Spray cage and accessories with this solution. Let sit at least 2 minutes and then wipe clean.

    • 7

      Allow the cage and accessories to air dry, if possible, or dry with paper towels.

    • 8

      Return cage accessories to the cage. Fill food and water dishes. Provide fresh shavings and litter as appropriate.

    • 9

      Return your rat to a clean home.