Rats are intelligent creatures and love interacting with their owners. They can become incredibly tame with regular handling and can free roam outside of their cage in a safe area. An appealing thing about pet rats is that you can litter train them, which makes care and maintenance easier and can help prevent them from having accidents outside of the cage.
If you want to teach your rodents how to use a bathroom, look at these five steps.
1. Gather the Correct Equipment
The first thing you must do to litter-train a rat is gather the correct equipment. You must purchase some essential, inexpensive items, which are listed below. Using a litter box has many benefits when it comes to keeping rodents as pets. Toilet-trained animals live in a more hygienic and healthier environment and are much easier to clean and maintain.
Using a litter tray is also mentally stimulating for pet rats, and as an owner, you can assess their toilet habits, which is a fantastic way to monitor their health. Litter-trained rats are also less likely to have accidents outside the cage when they free-roam.
Here’s a list of the essential items you need to litter-train your pet rat:
- Treats and toys
- Bedding (we’ll explore this in the next section)
- A litter scoop
- A litter tray (one that a rat can enter and exit comfortably; ceramic or plastic is the best material)
- Gloves
- Non-toxic cleaning products
2. Choose the Correct Litter Material
You must choose the correct litter material when toilet-training pet rats. A dust-free, unscented substrate is best because dust and strong smells can irritate a rat’s respiratory system. Don’t use the same material as the bedding for the litter tray because this sends conflicting signals to rats. They will think it’s okay to defecate on their bedding.
Here’s a list of the most common materials to use in a rat’s litter tray:
1. Paper-based litter is the most hygienic and sustainable. It is low in dust, biodegradable, and super absorbent. The downside is that you must change it more frequently than other materials.
2. Wood-based litter is super absorbent and has a pleasant smell, but you should never use cedar shavings because they are toxic to pets. Walnut or cypress is best.
3. Commercial rat litter comes in a range of materials and is fantastic at absorbing waste and masking odors. You should choose a high-quality brand, as economical brands contain more additives and dust.
Never use clumping cat litter or shredded newspaper as rat litter material because they can prove harmful if consumed.
3. Place the Litter Tray Strategically
You must put the litter tray in the correct place to teach rats how to use it. If your pet rats already have an area in their cage where they usually defecate, put the litter tray there. Many rodents stick to the same place when they go to the toilet and often choose a corner. You can also use test boxes to see where they like to go. You can put a tray in every corner of the cage to see which one they prefer. You can gradually remove the surplus trays when your rats choose their favorite one.
Rats are drawn to the smell of their droppings and usually go to the toilet in a place that’s already dirty. So, if you want to encourage them into the litter tray, scoop up some droppings or dirty bedding and put it in the litter box. This technique also works if you want to change the place of a litter tray. One of the things that makes rodents, such as rats and guinea pigs, ideal for apartment living is their ability to litter train.
4. Observe Your Rats
The next step in litter training is observation, which can be challenging because rats are nocturnal. Yet, you must watch them to see where they go to the toilet. If you see your rats pooping outside of the box and catch them in the act, gently move your rat to the litter box. You must remove droppings that aren’t in the tray as soon as possible because leaving them in encourages rats to go in that area again.
When you see your rat using a litter tray, give them rewards like treats and toys. This positive reinforcement encourages them to defecate in that area again. The key to litter training pet rats is patience and consistency. Pet rats will become fearful if you treat them aggressively and won’t be willing to use their tray.
The best treats for training include:
- Nuts and seeds
- Fruit and veggies
- Mealworms
- Malt paste
5. Clean the Litter Tray Regularly
If you want pet rats to use their toilet tray, you must maintain and clean it often. They won’t use one that’s too dirty and will find another place to do their business. You should remove droppings and wet patches daily with the scoop and deep clean the litter tray every two to four weeks. You can deep clean the tray by removing the substrate and washing it in warm, soapy water. Rinse it thoroughly and dry completely before adding new bedding.
Many owners use rubber or disposable plastic gloves to clean a litter tray to reduce the chance of contamination and infection. Rodents are susceptible to several zoonotic diseases that can pass between animals and humans. Regular cleaning is also essential for maintaining a healthy environment. Rats with poor or unhygienic living conditions are more likely to have health problems.
Some rats can learn how to use a litter tray in a few days, but others may take longer. It all depends on the rat’s personality and intelligence level.
