[Reshka and Laska]

Hello everyone! My two ratties, Laska and Blizzard, live outside in their cage (though I take them out, play with them, bring them inside the house), and although we live in california, some winter nights are really cold, especially when there is rain (they have a roof). I give them a lot of paper towels to shred and put into their sleeping spots, but am worried that it is not enough. Can anyone recommend some warm and not too expensive hidey houses/cage accessories? I have put a purple plastic igloo into a cuddle cup and they loved it, as well as their fuzzy triple-bunked hammock.

 

[LT_2022]

Your rats' cage is outside the house? Is there a reason why the cage can't be inside the house?

I'd be sure to that the cage is well protected from the rain and wind. Maybe look into DIY feral cat shelters to see if you can make something that will fit into the rat cage. There are outdoor pet / farm animal heating mats you could use to provide heat if you can somehow fit the electrical cord through the cage bars (the plug part is usually too big to fit through). I'd stick a heating pad under a layer of fleece liners (if you use that) or tucked between the folds an old folded towel to prevent potential burns. Outdoor heating pads are hard plastic but check daily for any signs of chewing and replace before there's too much damage. A heat only lamp hung at least a foot away from the cage is another option and you can put a timer on it so it only turns on at night and then off in the morning.

 

[Reshka and Laska]

Thank you! I'm a bit worried that the rats will chew a heating pad, but I'll try that, and I'll look into DIY feral cat shelters.

When I first got two rats their cage was in my room, but eventually they really dirtied up the wall their cage was against (my fault), and when I moved them, they got to my bedsheets and chewed a big hole in those (also my fault) and we just decided to try to move them outside. I don't have an effective way to clean them yet so that they don't smell and don't throw their poop everywhere, but I am working on that and maybe will eventually move them inside again.

 

[LT_2022]

Thank you! I'm a bit worried that the rats will chew a heating pad, but I'll try that, and I'll look into DIY feral cat shelters.

When I first got two rats their cage was in my room, but eventually they really dirtied up the wall their cage was against (my fault), and when I moved them, they got to my bedsheets and chewed a big hole in those (also my fault) and we just decided to try to move them outside. I don't have an effective way to clean them yet so that they don't smell and don't throw their poop everywhere, but I am working on that and maybe will eventually move them inside again.

Covering the back of the cage would keep the wall from getting dirty. There are cage covers you can buy or just use an old flat sheet cut to size or a cheap plastic shower curtain or something. Clip in place to keep it from sliding off. A piece of cardboard or something attached to the wall with Command adhesive strips (maybe the two piece velcro ones instead of the regular sticky ones) would also keep the wall from getting dirty and you can replace it as needed.

Is the "atmospheric river" bad in your area?

 

[Reshka and Laska]

A bit...?