1. Most plastics should be fine (see 5)
2.the same kinda that are ok for bedding, but I'm not sure about coating it with anything because they will chew it. I make mini ledges by stuffing paper towel tubes across the corners on the top and they love it
3. They love fleece. It's soft and ok to chew, but most cottons and those types should be fine.
4. Maybe like 4 or 5 inches, better too big than too small, some rats get fat haha.
5.yes PVC is fine, and makes good tunnels. Drill holes for ventilation/foot holes
6.if its a cage, flip it so the open side is facing up and attact another same sized cage, or buy a bigger cage.
7.amazon. My rats like ice and my car keys when they jingle. Those are cheap haha
8. They should be fine, except for the wheels. Get somthing big, like 12 to 15 inch wide, they shouldn't have their backs bent that way much when They get bigger.


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I'm also fairly new, like 2 weeks or something. Rats areole learning a different language. Patients and time will give you awesome results.
My girls both run to clean my fingers when I go to get them out now, something I honestly didn't think would happen.
Rats are incredibly smart, smarter than I had realized, they are a challenge, but I'm my short time I've found them to be incredibly loving, crazy, and funny.
Any pics of the rats and their cage.



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1. Since rats do not eat 99% of what they chew on plastic is fine, just watch out for obsessive chewers

2. Hard woods. I am still unsure what you coat it with but basically an animal safe deck/boat sealant. if you want a cheaper route, you can get hardware cloth (1/2 inch or 1/4 inch) and cut it to appropriate sizes (Someone on here had a bird cage where she did that a few days ago, you can still find the thread). though you'll want to cover it with rustoleum since 99% of Hardware cloth is galvanized.

3. Some are worried about towels because they can unravel. Personally I've never had any issues with towels.

4. the smallest you'll want to go is 2.5 to 3 inches.

5. PVC is fine, a lot of people use it as cheap tunnels.

6. Make your own levels (look at #2), more hammocks, some like to hang up plastic pans/cat litter boxes.

7. Amazon, Dollar stores, Craigslist, good will.

8. Yep, their toys are fine, their treats are not. With wheels the minimum size you want is 10 inches but bigger is better. Your traditional wheel is 11 to 12 inches.

 

Thank you for the helpful info!

What about dig box substrate? I don't want to put soil in it like some sites suggest.

I've attached a pic of Minnie and Daisy chomping on a carrot (My daughter is into Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.)
I have no idea why the images are sideways...HA!

 

Holy cow you can tell I am new at this!

 

You can get coconut substrate for a digging box. (you can get it at most pet stores).

Though really, shredded paper will work.

 

I too would like an answer to the urine soaking thing! I figure though, anything thats non toxic and child safe Im going to ask at a hardware store since im going to the doing the same! i'll let you know.


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