How can you set up a rat cage? - briefly
Select a ventilated, escape‑proof cage, line the base with absorbent bedding, add a nest box, water bottle, food dish, and enrichment items such as tunnels and chew toys, arranging them to allow free movement and easy cleaning.
How can you set up a rat cage? - in detail
When preparing a habitat for laboratory or pet rodents, begin with a cage that meets size, ventilation, and safety standards. A minimum floor area of 450 cm² per adult rat and a height of at least 20 cm are recommended to allow movement and climbing.
Materials and equipment
- Wire or plastic enclosure with secure latch
- Solid flooring (e.g., cement, coroplast) or appropriate bedding (paper, aspen)
- Nesting material (cotton, shredded tissue)
- Chew‑resistant enrichment (tunnels, hammocks, chew blocks)
- Water bottle with sipper tube, calibrated to deliver 10‑15 ml per day per animal
- Food dispenser or dish, filled with a balanced rodent diet
Construction steps
- Inspect the cage for sharp edges, loose wires, or gaps that could allow escape. Repair or replace damaged components before use.
- Install the floor. If using a solid base, line it with a thin layer of bedding to absorb waste while permitting easy cleaning. Ensure the bedding depth does not exceed 2 cm to prevent burrowing through the cage walls.
- Mount the water bottle on the side opposite the food dish to reduce spillage. Verify that the sipper tip functions without leakage.
- Place the food dish at a convenient height; elevate if multiple rats share the cage to reduce contamination.
- Add enrichment. Position tunnels, climbing platforms, and chew blocks to create vertical space and stimulate natural behaviors. Secure items to the cage walls with zip ties or stainless‑steel clips.
- Provide nesting material in a corner of the enclosure. Allow rats to arrange it as they prefer; this supports thermoregulation and stress reduction.
- Set up cleaning schedule. Mark a weekly interval for full bedding change and a daily routine for spot cleaning of urine and food residue.
Maintenance guidelines
- Conduct a visual inspection each morning; remove soiled bedding and replace with fresh material.
- Clean the water bottle weekly with mild detergent, rinse thoroughly, and re‑fill with fresh water.
- Disinfect the cage interior monthly using a rodent‑safe solution (e.g., diluted bleach 1:32), rinse, and dry before re‑adding bedding.
- Monitor rats for signs of injury, illness, or abnormal behavior; adjust cage conditions promptly.
By following these procedures, the enclosure will provide a secure, hygienic, and enriching environment that supports the health and welfare of the animals.