01/07/2024
So a statement we often hear at my rattery is 'oh wow you can't even smell them'. Although I love that it is a compliment, I cannot help but think are rats meant to be a smelly pet? Short answer would be 'Yes' they can be and create smells. Rats however prefer not to live in their own or outside odors though. It can mess with their sensitive respiratory system and may cause issues later on. It is our job as their owner to ensure we combat their smelliness. Rats are individuals and some smell worse than others due to a variety of factors. I have done up a little mind map of how I keep my rat room smelling as fresh as possible. A good start is cleaning your cages at least once a week. Rats are not an easy pet, don't get me wrong they are fun pocket pets! But they require tentative care in my opinion. Cleaning your cage once a week will be pulling all the toys, hides and contents of your cage out and cleaning everything. I soak all my wooden, woven and basket items in the bath and rinse before allowing to full dry in the sun. I wash all my hammocks and cloth items in the washing machine and pop them in the dryer. All food bowls, water bowls/bottles and litter trays are scrubbed and rinsed. Bedding and nesting material is removed (except in my bioactive cage that is a rabbit hole to get into) and replaced with fresh bedding and nesting material. This is a great reset for my week, however daily I wipe down all hard surfaces and cage bars, a lot of unwanted smells are from your rats p*eing and rubbing against surfaces. Following on from that your rats will urinate on everything! Please check your nesting materials daily and remove any 'p*e nests' and replace with clean nesting material. Check your hammocks, I like to replace my hammocks every other day. As I find hair, p*e and poops will build up and cause odor. Clean your rats water bowls and bottles daily and refill with filtered water! It helps keep your furry friends hydrated and prevents bacteria that can make them sick and also cause bad smells. Changing water daily also allows you to catch any leaks or soiled bedding, which may if unchecked cause wet areas and mold quite easily. Clean your rats litter boxes the moment they smell as a guide I usually change mine every 2-3 days. Invest in an air purifier it will help immensely with keeping the room air smelling fresh for you and your rats. There is no shame in giving your rat cage a good sniff if you wouldn't like to live in the smell be assured that your rats do not either. I will say it again, please check your cage bars, this is a sneaky smell creator. Grab a wet cloth or unscented wipe and you may be shocked how filthy your cage actually is. I hope this quick guide helps reduce smells for you and your rats! 🐭
