• Cage: We recommend reviewing our recommended cages page for guidance on selecting the best option for your rats.
• Wheel: Provide an 11" to 12" wheel made from durable plastic or metal mesh, ensuring a safe and stimulating environment.
• Food Dishes: Offer two food dishes: one for grain-based foods and another for wet foods.
• Food: Source high-quality rat feed from local feed stores or small, reputable suppliers. Avoid pre-packaged foods with chemical preservatives. For lab blocks, ensure a protein content of 14-16%. Refer to our diets page for more information on nutrition and recommendations.
• Water Bottle: Install a water bottle, either ball-style or pin-style, to provide a reliable source of fresh water.
• Hideaway: Provide a hidey hole or enclosure large enough for your rats to snuggle up in, such as an igloo or timber hideaway.
• Hammock: Offer a hammock for your rats to lounge and relax in.
• Grooming Aids: Supply lava ledges, cuttlebones, or similar products to help maintain nail and tooth health. Rats enjoy these textures and find them stimulating.
• Toys and Chew Ledges: Provide two hanging wood bird toys or chew ledges, sized similarly to your rats or slightly larger, for mental stimulation and entertainment.
• Litter Box: Use a square litter box with a deep enough surface for your rats to comfortably dig and eliminate in. We recommend Yesterdays News or Corn Cobb as safe and palatable options.
• Bedding: Opt for large flake kiln-dried pine, hemp, or aspen bedding from a local feed store. Avoid products from PetMart or PetCo due to concerns over dust, mites, and lice. Hemp is a popular choice among rat breeders, offering longer-lasting results and superior odor control.
• Cleaning Supplies: Keep a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 32 parts water) on hand for hot water washing of the cage in the tub. Alternatively, consider using 256 cleaner or Clear F-10, which dilute in water and provide effective cleaning results.

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