How to Make a Rat Hammock for a Fish Tank

Because rats need a well-ventilated living area, it is not generally recommended to keep them in a glass enclosure such as an old fish tank for a prolonged period of time. However, if your rats are temporarily living in a fish tank, the tank should have a metal mesh cover on top and all of the comforts of home, including a hammock. A basic rat hammock can be made in minutes from any fabric you may have around the house.

Things You'll Need

  • Fabric
  • Paper clips or key rings
  • Metal grommets (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose an item such as an old hand towel or pillow case that you no longer have use for. Taking into consideration the size of your rats and the size of their environment, fold or cut the fabric down to an appropriate size. A common hammock size for a single rat is approximately 10 by 12 inches, while 12 by 15 inches works well for two to three rats.

    • 2

      Cut a small hole in each corner of the hammock with a small pair of scissors or a sharp knife. If you would like to reinforce the holes, you may purchase metal grommets from a crafts store that can be hammered into place to prevent the holes from fraying.

    • 3

      Attach a key ring or a heavy-duty paper clip to each hole, then use them to attach the hammock to the metal mesh on top of the fish tank. Make sure that the hammock has plenty of slack and hangs low enough to the floor of the tank that the rats will be able to climb into it.