orangeK
New Member
I was so impressed when I first got my rats. I used a pie tin as a litter box, filled with Yesterday's News, and they were so good about using it - even going back in the cage to use it when free ranging. Surrounding the litter box was Carefresh bedding, which made a clear line between the litter box and the rest of the cage floor.
I stopped using Carefresh after a couple of weeks (mites and I don't like the smell) and got rid of the litter box as now their entire floor is Yesterday's News (they don't like sleeping on the floor, anyways, and I put newspaper in the hides for them to nest in if they ever decided to). Since then they have just been pooping all over the floor, not just one corner (which don't rats usually do?) Recently they also started pooping on their level where I keep a food bowl. I wipe it down several times a day with a vinegar/water mix. Right now I have just completely taken it out to force them to go on the Yesterday's News. Sometimes they poop on their hammocks as well.
Any reason why they could be doing this? I was thinking now maybe without a clear bathroom area they just don't know or care to go in one corner. I was also thinking maybe the level being cleaned so much is making them want to mark it more, but I don't know what else to do.
I stopped using Carefresh after a couple of weeks (mites and I don't like the smell) and got rid of the litter box as now their entire floor is Yesterday's News (they don't like sleeping on the floor, anyways, and I put newspaper in the hides for them to nest in if they ever decided to). Since then they have just been pooping all over the floor, not just one corner (which don't rats usually do?) Recently they also started pooping on their level where I keep a food bowl. I wipe it down several times a day with a vinegar/water mix. Right now I have just completely taken it out to force them to go on the Yesterday's News. Sometimes they poop on their hammocks as well.
Any reason why they could be doing this? I was thinking now maybe without a clear bathroom area they just don't know or care to go in one corner. I was also thinking maybe the level being cleaned so much is making them want to mark it more, but I don't know what else to do.