How to Keep a Rat Cage From Stinking

Rats have a bad reputation. Many people think of them as pests, but they can actually make great pets in your home. Although rats can interact and play with you, they should still be kept in a cage when unsupervised. Making sure that cage is clean is not only important to your rat's health, it will prevent the cage from stinking up an area of your home or leading to unsanitary conditions.

Things You'll Need

  • Small, plastic rat enclosure
  • Mild dish soap
  • Trash bag
  • Hose or bathtub
  • Cleaning brush
  • 1 ½ cups white vinegar
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place your rat in a small, safe enclosure to sit while you clean. There are small, plastic cages that work fine, and your rat won't be stuck in the small space for too long.

    • 2

      Take out any food bowls or water feeders and empty and rinse them out with some mild dish soap and water. Set them aside to allow them to dry. Also take out toys and wash them as well.

    • 3

      Empty out the contents of the cage into a trash bag. If the cage has a removable wire top, remove it and empty out the tray; if you are working with an aquarium or the top doesn't come off, turn the cage over and shake out contents. If you have to use your hands to scoop out contents, make sure to wear rubber gloves.

    • 4

      Set the cage outside in some grass and wash it down with your hose. If you don't have a yard, use your bathtub for rinsing out the cage. Use a cleaning brush to loosen up any residue or caked-on dirt. Wash out the cage with some dish soap and warm water once you've removed most of the residue.

    • 5

      Pour one and a half cups of vinegar in a spray bottle and spray down the inside and outside surfaces of the cage along with food and water bowls and toys. Allow vinegar to sit for five minutes, then spray again liberally and wait another five minutes. Wash down the cage once again with your hose or in the tub, making sure to get all surfaces.

    • 6

      Let your cage dry for half an hour. Putting it in a sunny area will speed up the process and help kill off bacteria even further, so lay the cage outside if you have access. Then fill the cage with wood chips or lay out newspaper or shreds, and replace the food, water and toys.