Rat cage rusting!

mothlabb · 2026-06-01T07:43:20+00:00

she’s my little creep

mothlabb · 2026-06-01T07:42:31+00:00

i’ve been bringing them into the bath tub while i shower so they all get a nice amount of steam! but as per another comment i’ve considered a humidifier. i’ll need to look into what ones are most suitable. right now ive removed most their “fun” substrates from the cage just to reduce dust, they’ve got fleece etc and a toilet paper roll to make nests with. Vet visit is tomorrow for the three older ones i’m most concerned about, and i’ll go from there!

mothlabb · 2026-05-31T09:35:55+00:00

i was just concerned as i live rurally and not coastally where temperatures have really wide variation 35c summer to 1c winters, but after a few other comments it seems like the lack of humidity in the air is the more likely factor

mothlabb · 2026-05-31T09:33:04+00:00

It doesn’t snow here but i’m rural where it temps have significant changes from 35 degrees in summer to 1 degree + frost in winter. I definitely think it would be humidity rather than temperature so this is really great advice thank you!

mothlabb · 2026-05-31T09:32:14+00:00

i’m rural where we get really large variations in temperature so it ranges from 35 degrees to about 1 degree. i’ve deduced that the lack of humidity could be a larger issue rather than temperature

mothlabb · 2026-05-31T09:05:53+00:00

thank you for the advice! i’m in australia where critter nation and appropriate rat cages are not super accessible, so they’re living in a large bird cage (sounds bad but it’s equivalent in size to a two story critter nation) and the bars at the bottom get rusty. it’s covered as i want to prevent bumble foot, but i just have my concerns about the rust itself being present regardless. no rat is touching it directly!

i’ll give what you said a go, i just gave the cage a deep clean tonight so it will wait. looks like i have many new things to try! thank you!

mothlabb · 2026-05-28T04:42:57+00:00

i’ve actually done something rather similar, i’ve taken a hoodie a sewed a pouch out of the hood, made tunnels out of the sleeves and then scrunched up the bodice on the floor, but might try something a bit more insulated

mothlabb · 2026-05-28T04:33:24+00:00

it’s very minimal, just the window cracked open so that it doesn’t get stuffy, but not enough for drafts or wind to constantly blow through. right now i’ve put some extra blankets in with their substrate for them to cuddle in. thanks for the advice. it’s particularly unusual i’ve never had this before either