Rat Playpen

So, I'm getting everything ready for new ratties. I know I need a playpen so they can have their daily time out of the cage and of course bonding time I'm thinking of making a homemade rat pen using cardboard. I'm planning on unfolding cardboard boxes and taping them together with masking tape (of course out of reach of the rats) and forming it into a large circle. As the base I could use a tarp to protect the floor and then fleece or newspaper on top (which would be best?). Inside I would include toys, a network of fun tunnels and boxes, ect. Does this sound like a good setup? Some pictures of your playpen setups would be awesome to find new ideas and get some tips. Thank you! :heart:

I think that sounds great! We have tiles so I don't need to protect the floor, I have stuffed toys, string, shells, a running wheel and nuts in their shells for the girls to play with.

You might consider using cloroplast instead. You will need pannels that are 2.5 to 3 feet tall. They can be connected with stick-on velcro, cable ties (zip ties), or duct tape.

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thank you both! Anyone else have any more ideas, tips, or pics of their Rattie playpens? Anything would be very much appreciated.

using shoe boxes you can make a ratty "fun house" by cutting the boxes so that they fit together like puzzle pieces and put different fun materials in each box!

Thank you for your reply Can anyone post a photo or two of their rattie playpen setup? That would be awesome and really appreciated to see what other people have and for new ideas.

I don't have a pic, but I use a baby playpen I got one second hand for $20, and it's easy to clean because the liner is wipable/stain proof. Plus, the ratties love climbing the mesh sides. Sometimes my 8 year old daughter will climb in there with them and let them use her as a climbing post.

We have an extra bedroom which has become "the boys" room so they just get run of that w/baby gate in the door way. Its baby proofed outlets covered, vent secure, no cords in the room. Its all theirs and one of us is in there w/them. Thought about attempting to leave them alone for awhile and is what they will do got coroplast yesterday to secure the side of the cage and baby gate.