How should a rat’s cage be cleaned? - briefly
Remove the rat, discard the used bedding, wash all surfaces with warm water and a mild detergent, rinse completely, dry, then add fresh substrate before returning the animal.
How should a rat’s cage be cleaned? - in detail
Cleaning a rat enclosure demands a systematic approach to prevent disease and maintain a pleasant environment for the animals.
Begin by moving the rats to a temporary, secure container with fresh bedding and food. Gather all necessary items: gloves, a scrub brush, a bucket, mild dish soap, a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water), paper towels, and replacement bedding.
- Remove all bedding, food dishes, water bottles, and toys from the cage.
- Disassemble removable parts such as ramps, tunnels, and wheels.
- Rinse the cage and accessories with warm water to eliminate loose debris.
- Apply a small amount of mild soap to a scrub brush; clean every surface, paying special attention to corners and crevices.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residues.
- Submerge the cage and accessories in the diluted bleach solution for 5–10 minutes to disinfect.
- Rinse repeatedly with clean water until the smell of bleach disappears.
- Dry all components with paper towels or allow them to air‑dry completely.
- Reassemble the cage, replace the bedding, refill water bottles, and reposition food dishes and toys.
- Return the rats to their cleaned habitat.
Perform daily spot cleaning to remove soiled bedding and food scraps. Conduct a full cleaning cycle weekly, and schedule a deeper sanitation (including replacement of all bedding and thorough inspection of structural integrity) monthly. Wear gloves throughout the process, and ensure all cleaning agents are fully rinsed to avoid chemical exposure to the rodents.