Everything You Need Before Getting Pet Rats – Complete Starter Checklist

This article is in progress! Check back as I update the list!

Midwest Critter Nation Rat Cage

Prevue 528 Rat Cage

Hemp Bedding OR Aspen Shavings

Water Bottle (x2)

Oxbow Rat Diet

Unscented Dish Soap

Unscented Laundry Detergent

Scrubber Set

Spray Bottle Set

Large Exercise Wheel with Customization

Hammocks

Plastic Chains (hammock attachments)

Small Animal Carrier

Rat Basics Starter Pack (4 rats or less)

This starter pack I have assembled will include the Midwest Critter Nation rat cage, hemp bedding, 2 water bottles, Oxbow rat diet, unscented dish soap and laundry detergent, a scrubber set, spray bottle set, large exercise wheel, 8 hammocks with plastic chain attachments, and a small animal carrier for vet trips.

Coming Soon!

Rat Playtime Starter Pack

Ultimate Rat Starter Pack

Celiac Safe Rat Diet

Fun fact about me, I am severely celiac! I always recommend folks keep their rats on a standardized lab block, but I am unfortunately very allergic. I have put years into slowly developing and testing a ‘lab block’ that I make from scratch. I am always improving the recipe, and will update with changes as I continue to monitor health and weight. Please only follow this recipe if you are also celiac and have no other option for your rat food <3 I also supplement with coconut oil, black beans, lentils, probiotics, egg, and a variety of different fruits, veggies, and some seeds!

Ingredients

4 scoops ELSE toddler plant based nutritional supplement

4 scoops Crossfuel 100% whey protein

4 cups brown rice

2 cups Rice Chex cereal

2 cups gluten free rolled oats

2 cups gluten free cornmeal

Assorted frozen or fresh fruit & vegetables

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400F

2. In a food processor, combine brown rice, rice chex, and rolled oats, blend until desired texture. 

3. In a large mixing bowl, mix the processed rice, chex, and oats with the nutritional supplement, cornmeal, and whey.

4. In a blender, combine assorted fruits and vegetables until blended. Add small amounts of water to encourage proper blending, especially if using frozen. Aim to make 3 - 4 cups of blended fruit and veg.

5. Move blended fruit and veg to a separate mixing bowl. 

6. Fill up the blender/food processor with 80% dry ingredients, 20% wet ingredients. Or, in a large mixing bowl, combine 8 parts dry ingredients with 2 parts wet ingredients.

7. Mix until a crumbly, sticky dough forms, adding just enough water to combine.

8. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Put dough on the baking sheet, spreading to create a flat surface. Using a butter knife, draw a grid pattern through the dough (this will help break it up into crumbly bits when it’s done).

9. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown on edges.

10. Let cool, break into small, quarter sized pieces. Refrigerate or freeze for freshness.

Nutritional Information

Fat - 10%

Carbohydrates - 75%

Protein - 15%

Approximately 9.6 calories per gram (base mix only, without fruit and veg).

Standard rats need about 60 calories per day. I usually feed each rat between 5 - 8 grams per day, depending on weight and activity level, plus additional greens. Always monitor weight when using a different diet.

Vitamins and minerals

Coming soon!

Best Bedding for Your Pet Rats

Bedding is more than just something that lines the bottom of the cage. It directly impacts your rats’ respiratory health, enrichment, and overall quality of life.

When choosing a substrate, there are two major priorities to keep in mind:

1. Supporting Natural Behaviors

Rats are active foragers and natural diggers. Their bedding should allow them to:

• Tunnel

• Dig

• Burrow

• Forage

One of the easiest ways to provide enrichment is by scattering food directly into the bedding and lightly ruffling it. This encourages natural foraging behavior, increases mental stimulation, reduces stress, and can even improve overall temperament.

Deep, loose substrate allows rats to express instinctive behaviors that are essential to their wellbeing.

2. Ammonia Control and Respiratory Health

Ammonia control is critical.

Rats have sensitive airways, and most pet rats carry Mycoplasma as a normal respiratory bacteria. When ammonia levels build up from urine, it irritates the respiratory tract and can trigger flare ups.

High ammonia exposure can lead to:

• Chronic respiratory irritation

• Increased susceptibility to infection

• Permanent lung damage

The difficult part is that ammonia damage often develops slowly. Symptoms may not appear for months, and by the time you notice signs of respiratory distress, irreversible damage may have already occurred.

Your bedding must be highly absorbent and effective at neutralizing ammonia.

What to Avoid

Certain bedding types and additives can do more harm than good.

Avoid:

• Scented bedding

• Products with added fragrances

• Anything containing sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)

Scented products can irritate sensitive airways and may react negatively with ammonia in urine. Baking soda should never be used, as it produces carbon dioxide when introduced into the stomach, which can lead to blockages or intestinal rupture if ingested.

The following bedding types are not recommended:

• Fleece or fabric as a primary substrate

• Shredded newspaper or Yesterday’s News

• Carefresh

• Corn cob bedding

These options either lack proper ammonia control, do not support natural digging behaviors, or pose safety concerns.

Recommended Bedding Options

The following substrates are appropriate and support both health and enrichment:

• Kiln dried pine

• Aspen

• Hemp

• Flax

Compressed wood pellets can be used in litter boxes if desired.

For dig boxes or additional enrichment areas, you can use:

• Cocopeat

• Shredded paper

• Hay

Providing the right bedding is one of the most important ways you can protect your rats’ respiratory health and improve their daily quality of life.

If you are ever unsure about a bedding choice, I am always happy to review it with you before adoption.

Cage Sizing for Rats

One of the most important parts of proper rat care is choosing an appropriate cage!

Despite popular belief, pet rats are not arboreal, meaning they are not tree dwelling animals. They are fossorial, which means they naturally prefer horizontal space over vertical space.

Rats will climb if given the opportunity, but they can be surprisingly clumsy, especially as they age. Tall cages with excessive vertical drops can increase the risk of injury from falls.

When choosing a cage, please prioritize these two things:

1. Floor Space

Rats need adequate horizontal space for movement, enrichment, and social interaction.

According to the Canadian Council on Animal Care guidelines for laboratory rats:

• 1.5 square feet for the first rat

• 0.5 square feet for each additional rat

This is considered the minimum standard. As a pet owner, I strongly encourage providing more than the minimum whenever possible. Rats are social animals and should be housed with companions, so your cage choice must support group living.

2. Ventilation and Ammonia Dissipation

Proper airflow is critical for respiratory health.

Glass aquariums are not ideal for rats because they lack sufficient ventilation. Ammonia from urine is heavier than air and settles at the bottom of tanks, which can irritate the respiratory tract. Poor ventilation significantly increases the risk of respiratory illness.

Glass enclosures are also more sensitive to temperature and humidity fluctuations, which can make it harder for rats to regulate their body temperature comfortably.

For these reasons, well ventilated wire cages are strongly preferred.

Enrichment

While floor space is important, empty space is not.

Rats thrive in environments that feel safe and stimulating. Large, open, unenriched areas can actually feel stressful and exposed to them. They prefer cluttered environments filled with:

• Hammocks

• Hideouts

• Tunnels

• Foraging opportunities

• Chew items

• Shelves and platforms with safe fall distances

A thoughtfully arranged, enriched cage is far more beneficial than a large but empty one.

Providing appropriate housing is one of the foundations of responsible rat ownership. If you are ever unsure about your cage choice or setup, I am always happy to review and offer guidance before adoption.