Securing Fleece (How To)

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Jake S.

Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2018
Messages
10
Location
Oregon, USA
Recently I upgraded my cage, and changed from using paper bedding to a fleece lining on the floors. I now have four rats, two that are almost adult size and two that are still pups. The problem I'm having is they have been slipping under the fleece and sleeping/relaxing under there. It's a two-level, both have fleece but they primarily stay at the bottom level under the fleece. They have two hides, a large translucent hide and a small coconut hanging from the top of the cage, and a hammock to lay in (although I'm not sure they're aware of what it is yet.) I don't like them spending so much time under the blanket, it bothers me to go hours without seeing them and I hate scaring the new rats when I move the blanket to make sure everyone's happy and accounted for.
Do other people have this problem? What can I do to secure the lining or encourage them to just use their hides?
 
Yeah, that was a problem so what I used to do, I would use bull clips at each end to secure the fleece down. It usually worked although, once in a while they figured it out.
 
My rats were never interested in chewing on the clips - give them more interesting things to chew! Plus there are always so many tasty cage bars....
 
Binder clips here too! Also you can sew an absorbent layer to the fleece to give it more weight, and scrap fleece in their hides to discourage. Fleece is super stinky without an absorbent layer underneath since it doesn't actually absorb liquids, it simply lets them pass through.
 
They're way too smart for me :rolleyes: Used binder clips and they're already under the fleece a day later. I had about a two inch gap in between each clip hoping they wouldn't catch on for a while longer. Looks like I'm going to have to completely hook their fleece down
 
I'll certainly have to try it. I don't know why they're so determined, I don't think it's the heat. Recently it's been about a constant 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit in my apartment. I'm guessing they just feel more secure under the fleece than a hide.
Wow. They sure are determined! Have tried putting down a fleece over your fleece. Maybe they would go in between the fleeces.
 
I used to try a lot of solutions for suitable cage liner and finally I've got one. I use thick fabric called FELT. In 50-60th it used for hats. I bought it in Fabricland store. In order to secure edges I use flat aluminum bars (bought from Home Depot), that I cut to the size of the tray, and biggest paper clips from Staples. Felt is a porous fabric and urine goes through and after get dry. After 2-3 weeks, when I need to replace it, I put another sheet of felt, and the used one soak in warm water in bath for 1-2 hours, rinse it with warm water and hang to dry. Of course, I wash aluminum bars and paper clips too.
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I have rats who love to go under fleece. I actually put down 3 layers: I have a pillowcase style liner that goes on first, that gets clipped down in 4 spots with large binder clips. ON top of that goes a double layer liner that I don't clip down and over that, either a single large pc of fleece or several smaller ones (and if need be, a bunch of scraps) No one goes under the liners anymore but they do sometimes pull up the edges of the dble layer one, Not sure why, they've always got plenty of other fleece to use if they are chilly or want to make their sleeping spots super plush. :p

I hate washing the big pan on the bottom of the CN so sometimes I'll even put down some paper first. LOL
I dont mind doing laundry at all, I have a great washer
 
That looks like a great solution Jeff31! You could also cut a piece of coroplast to fit the cage bottom, cut your fleece larger, and tuck all the edges under the coroplast.
 
That looks like a great solution Jeff31! You could also cut a piece of coroplast to fit the cage bottom, cut your fleece larger, and tuck all the edges under the coroplast.
Yeah, but instead of one sheet of felt I will use two sheets (coroplast+fleece). Also, I will have to wash and dry two pieces of liner instead of one. Thanks for reply.
 
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