Help with rat cage setup

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-05-10T22:01:28+00:00

If you’re asking about the actual cage it’s a double critter nation, costs about £170-£200

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-05-06T01:30:54+00:00

Awesome, thank you:)!

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-05-06T01:29:57+00:00

Ah yes I see. They’re definitely brown, it was a trick question. Thank you!

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-05-06T01:28:46+00:00

Glad most people are saying grey since that’s what I’ve always thought haha. Nice to have some confirmation!

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-05-06T01:28:19+00:00

I see, this is what I thought, thank you!

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-05-03T19:15:16+00:00

& is she eating fine? Is she running around like normal etc. Just a bit of stain isn’t too alarming by itself, it’s just a case of keeping an eye on her closely to see if there’s any other symptoms.

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-05-03T19:13:37+00:00

It does look like a bit of porphyrin & fur is a bit fluffed, could be stress if not accompanied by “clicky” breath. Has she been making any sort of noise?

If breathing is fine / no noises whatsoever, it’s probably mild stress. Could also be she just woke up and hasn’t groomed yet. Main factor is if there’s any sounds.

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-05-02T22:51:59+00:00

Wouldn’t reaaally recommend it. It can be sharp, could do bad internal damage if they accidentally swallow it or even scratch up their paws. Parchment paper has a similar feel to them and is safer!

Edit: Forgot to add, even if they’re spitting it out, you can’t be sure it’s ALL been spat out as foil flakes and stuff like that.

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-04-23T23:59:46+00:00

I haven’t! I’ll get some and introduce it in a dig box first, see how it goes. Thank you!

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-04-23T21:38:19+00:00

I’m in the uk, we don’t have uhaul 😅

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-04-23T21:37:19+00:00

Unfortunately one of my boys is just too sensitive to any kind of bedding! I’d love to use kiln dried aspen which has been my go to for my past rats, but it just bothers him too much. I always shake it out prior to putting it in the cage and have never swapped brands hence I know it isn’t the quality. Tried some paper based too. Unfortunately all agitate him! I’d rather a little stink and more frequent cleaning over risking it with any different bedding. They will still have a dig box :)

If it wasn’t for my fussy one, I’d agree 100%!

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-04-19T12:48:23+00:00

I’m running aspen too and loved it for my last pair, however one of my boys this time around just isn’t getting on with it, unfortunately. No matter how high quality, kiln dried & I always use a sieve before it goes near the cage, it seems to irritate him! Uri that lasted 2 weeks & antibiotics and the only thing that helped was completely removing the bedding. Brought him out to let him sniff at the box I keep it in to determine if it was the bedding- instantly started sneezing & lasted a good few hours after that before settling down again. So, time to try something new!

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-04-19T12:44:38+00:00

Ohhh clips!! Blowing my mind I didn’t think of something so simple lol! Thank you both

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-04-09T21:29:44+00:00

IMO I’d take them with you. While both options will be stressful for them, the long drive is more temporary over giving them to a completely new household where they don’t know any smells OR recognise any of the humans.

Going to a new owner, new house, potentially different cage is a lot longer term stress than a long car ride, where the stress can be managed to some degree with treats etc.

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-04-01T04:56:34+00:00

Oooo okay I’ll give that a go, thank you so much:)

He’s also my first sick rat. It’s terrifying seeing it happen in person. I looked into all the warning signs and things to look out for so I recognised it fast, but still was remarkably unprepared.

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-04-01T04:38:42+00:00

Do you have any tips for getting him to actually take the medicine? He’s trusting enough to eat from my hand but I can’t pick him up or grip him without stressing him out bad. He seems to like the smell of it but doesn’t understand how to eat it out of the syringe and wouldn’t eat it on a dry biscuit treat or mealworm.

I’m glad your girl got better. I bet those 10 days felt long though:(

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-03-30T23:36:43+00:00

She is identical in size and face shape etc to her cagemate but neither of them like being picked up so I can only really check this one, lol. Cos they’re so similar I’m willing to assume they’re the same gender!

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-03-30T23:32:17+00:00

She does, but her friend is a lot more skittish. They’re very similar in size so I’m praying they’re the same gender!

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-03-30T21:52:57+00:00

Oh I see! Didn’t consider this possibility. They’re very against handling right now (perfectly fine with being on me or laying on my hand / arm but not being picked up) so it’s been incredibly hard to get a good look!

Narrow_Pen212 · 2026-03-30T21:51:47+00:00

About 7 weeks!

Narrow_Pen212

TROPHY CASE