I have a million questions and I'm a long winded writer, so I appreciate anyone who bears with me through this interrogation/onslaught lol
We have the Kaytee Multi Level Habitat - I'm aware the bar spacing is too wide for babies, but it has excellent reviews for larger adult rats (ours are babies now-not old enough to come home yet, but are both male from a particularly large breed). It also has lots of reviews from people who said they just covered the bars (some with just cardboard! O.O ) until the rats were large enough not to escape.
I know for wire floor bases it is recommended to attach plastic needlepoint canvas to prevent bumblefoot, and that you can attach hardware cloth to a widely spaced cage.
But, has anyone ever used the plastic needlepoint canvas to wrap a wide spaced cage? I'm sure they could chew through it if they wanted to, but am hoping they won't and that this will be a slightly safer way to wrap the cage (no risk of injury from any sharp pieces of hardware cloth-for ratties or people!). Will the plastic canvas hurt them if they eat a bit of it? Does this sound like a good idea to more experienced rat owners?
Fleece can be used to line cages - if I do this, do they still require bedding (paper, wood, etc.) of some kind as well or is the fleece good by itself? When I wash the fleece do I need to be concerned about using a particular detergent to avoid respiratory issues? Bleach, softener, no softener? If I do need additional bedding do you guys have a favorite kind, why do you like it most (cost effective/ease of cleaning/odor control/etc.)?
Potty training - does anybody have litter pan recommendations (durable/easy to clean/chew proof/especially attractive to use as a toilet?) Should I keep a litter pan on each level of the habitat, or no because they are just small shelves? Does each rat need an individual pan, or are they generally ok with sharing a toilet? Litter recommendations (cost effective/easy to clean/odor/etc)?
Food dishes and water bottles - favorite brand or types of food dishes, will each rat need their own dish or can they share? Water bottles, any brands that are especially durable, non leaky, hygienic, etc?
Do you guys have any favorite toys for your ratties that you simply can't live without? Link me to them!
Please give me ALL the suggestions!
(And if you stuck with me this far, thank you so very much! I know I'm wordy lol)
We have the Kaytee Multi Level Habitat - I'm aware the bar spacing is too wide for babies, but it has excellent reviews for larger adult rats (ours are babies now-not old enough to come home yet, but are both male from a particularly large breed). It also has lots of reviews from people who said they just covered the bars (some with just cardboard! O.O ) until the rats were large enough not to escape.
I know for wire floor bases it is recommended to attach plastic needlepoint canvas to prevent bumblefoot, and that you can attach hardware cloth to a widely spaced cage.
But, has anyone ever used the plastic needlepoint canvas to wrap a wide spaced cage? I'm sure they could chew through it if they wanted to, but am hoping they won't and that this will be a slightly safer way to wrap the cage (no risk of injury from any sharp pieces of hardware cloth-for ratties or people!). Will the plastic canvas hurt them if they eat a bit of it? Does this sound like a good idea to more experienced rat owners?
Fleece can be used to line cages - if I do this, do they still require bedding (paper, wood, etc.) of some kind as well or is the fleece good by itself? When I wash the fleece do I need to be concerned about using a particular detergent to avoid respiratory issues? Bleach, softener, no softener? If I do need additional bedding do you guys have a favorite kind, why do you like it most (cost effective/ease of cleaning/odor control/etc.)?
Potty training - does anybody have litter pan recommendations (durable/easy to clean/chew proof/especially attractive to use as a toilet?) Should I keep a litter pan on each level of the habitat, or no because they are just small shelves? Does each rat need an individual pan, or are they generally ok with sharing a toilet? Litter recommendations (cost effective/easy to clean/odor/etc)?
Food dishes and water bottles - favorite brand or types of food dishes, will each rat need their own dish or can they share? Water bottles, any brands that are especially durable, non leaky, hygienic, etc?
Do you guys have any favorite toys for your ratties that you simply can't live without? Link me to them!
Please give me ALL the suggestions!
(And if you stuck with me this far, thank you so very much! I know I'm wordy lol)