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Can clay kitty litter be used in a rodent cage? I was thinking of using it for the bottom of the cage, with some fluffy stuff as bedding. Could the litter be harmful?
I agree. I would not use clay litter with rodents. Yesterday's News makes a "small animal" formula of its recycled newspaper litter that you might want to consider.
I agree. I would not use clay litter with rodents. Yesterday's News makes a "small animal" formula of its recycled newspaper litter that you might want to consider.
Yesterdays news is great, but get the actual CAT litter. It's the same stuff as the small animal litter, but significantly cheaper. Freeze it for 3 days to kill any varmints that may have found their way into the bag, then use it in the rat cage.
Newspapers don't help with odor. While we clean their cage frquently, I've recently gotten a 65 gallon aquarium for them and they just love it. But it takes a lot to clean. We don't notice the odor inbetween cleanings, but I think they do.
How old are they? Do you think you'd be able to litter train them? That's awesome they have such a large cage, but I can see that it'd be a pain to clean.
Newspapers don't help with odor. While we clean their cage frquently, I've recently gotten a 65 gallon aquarium for them and they just love it. But it takes a lot to clean. We don't notice the odor inbetween cleanings, but I think they do.
An aquarium really isn't a good idea, as it provides insufficient ventilation for the rats, considering their delicate respiratory systems, and is much more difficult to clean. A wire cage would be best, and much easier to clean.
I have a 5 ft tall cage on wheels. I empty the cage, wheel it outside, spray down with vinegar, wait a few minutes for it to do its work, spray down again with hydrogen peroxide (no rinse after vinegar), wait a few more minutes, then hose it all down. The ickyness just slides off, and I just let it air dry. Then wheel it back inside and redecorate.
How old are they? Do you think you'd be able to litter train them? That's awesome they have such a large cage, but I can see that it'd be a pain to clean.
The rats can be litter-trained. Mine are about 90% of the time they use the litter box. Really helps to keep the cage cleaner long, and doesn't smell as much. I switch out the litter twice a week and vacuum in between that whatever is outside the box.
How old are they? Do you think you'd be able to litter train them? That's awesome they have such a large cage, but I can see that it'd be a pain to clean.
I have two and they are under a year. Since being moved to the aquarium from a smaller aquarium with a cage one top (I made a condo-like dwelling for them), we've moved them into the livingroom and they are much friendlier and more active. They have a big branch to climb on, I've made a maze out of a couple of boxes and they get taken out of the aquarium at least once a day to play with us. Many times I have them climbing all over me while I am on CD
Rats get such a bad rap. They are as smart as dogs and my two have such different personalities and food preferences. And when I have them out and tussle them with my hand (gently!), they run away a foot and then come back for more- they love it when I play with them. Sometimes they will climb up on my dog and she holds very still, like she isn't wanting to scare them away. She approaches them so slowly and will just lay her head down to let them climb up on her.
Quote:
Originally Posted by steelstress
The rats can be litter-trained. Mine are about 90% of the time they use the litter box. Really helps to keep the cage cleaner long, and doesn't smell as much. I switch out the litter twice a week and vacuum in between that whatever is outside the box.
I am going to try the litter box route with cat litter and see how they do.
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