How to Line a Rat Cage

Lining a rat cage with suitable materials helps to keep your pets comfortable and healthy, reduces odors and makes cleaning easier. Take care selecting the lining or substrate. Some materials, such as wood shavings or sawdust, are dangerous to rats. They cause respiratory problems and some woods are toxic. Rough materials, such as bark chippings, may exacerbate or even cause bumblefoot, painful sores on the rat's feet. Paper or paper-based materials are the safest option.

Things You'll Need

  • Newspapers
  • Cardboard
  • Large bag
  • Paper-based rodent bedding
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Instructions

    • 1

      Collect old newspapers and cardboard, remove all plastic attachments, such as tape or promotional offers, and any metal staples. Store extra newspapers in a large bag for each time you clean the cage. If your household doesn't use many newspapers or much cardboard, ask friends, work colleagues or local stores to save these materials for you.

    • 2

      Unfold the newspapers and lay on the bottom of the cage until you have a layer that is 2 or 3 newspapers deep. Entire newspapers aid in cleaning; the thickness of the paper allows you to simply roll them up, together with droppings, spoiled food and other materials, when you clean the cage.

    • 3

      Add a generous layer of a fine substrate. A layer 3-inches or deeper is comfortable for rats, allowing them to dig, and it effectively absorbs odors. Commercial paper-based rat bedding is suitable. Other options are cardboard torn into pieces a couple of inches across or shredded paper. Bear in mind that shredded newspaper on top may stain rat fur. If you have white rats, or you wish to show your rats, cardboard, paper pellets or shredded plain paper is cleaner.