{"id":3771,"date":"2024-12-30T16:12:55","date_gmt":"2024-12-30T22:12:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/?p=3771"},"modified":"2024-12-30T16:12:55","modified_gmt":"2024-12-30T22:12:55","slug":"home-environment-rats-and-home-ambience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/home-environment-rats-and-home-ambience\/","title":{"rendered":"Home Environment: Rats And Home Ambience"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"rat
Your rats rely on you to provide a clean, safe environment. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It would be fantastic if our rats could verbally tell us when something is bothering them. Instead, we have to become experts at reading their body language, looking for signs of stress. Then we have to don our detective hats to determine the cause of said stress. In many cases, it\u2019s from something lurking in our own homes.<\/p>\n

In my last article “Home Environment: Rats And The Air<\/a>,” I explained how everyday products we use can create poor air quality for our sensitive rat kids. This month, I\u2019m going to go over the ambience in our homes and how it affects them as well. I\u2019m talking about the look and feel; sound and light pollution; cleanliness level; bug issues; and even plant choices.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s pleasing to us isn\u2019t necessarily appreciated or safe for rodents. That doesn\u2019t mean rats aren\u2019t worth it. Of course, there are plenty of ways to keep both you and your rats happy.<\/p>\n

Temperature<\/h3>\n
\"two
When it gets colder, provide rat-sized fleece blankets, fleece covering on the floor, and lined hammocks to make your rats’ home cozy. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Everyone has a different preference when it comes to their home\u2019s climate, but your rats\u2019 well-being needs to be factored in. Their regular surroundings should be temperature-controlled at 72 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n

Currently it\u2019s winter, not that my city has gotten the memo yet. This is the time of year that metal bars, bowls, and other accessories can become cold to the touch, making your rats and their cage even colder. If you also lack central heating or the cage sits in an area that is chillier than the rest of your place, take extra steps to keep your rats cozy warm.<\/p>\n

First off, buy a small, indoor digital thermometer that can be placed near the cage. Your home\u2019s thermostat only senses the air around it, and is not likely to be close to the cage. I have a magnetic thermometer that sticks directly to my Double Critter Nation cage. Some thermometers at online retailers or in stores even provide humidity levels. With a digital thermometer, you\u2019ll know exactly what temperature your rats are experiencing.<\/p>\n

Next, line the cage floor and levels in fleece, if they aren\u2019t already, and use thickly lined hammocks. You should also fill any and all of their beds with scraps of fleece for rat-sized blankets. Pile a heap of them in the corner of the cage as nesting material as well. Check all the bedding daily to make sure it stays dry from urine or leaking water bottles. You can also cover their cage with a large blanket at night, but be prepared for them to pull it through the bars and chew on it. Secondhand stores may sell cheap ones that you won\u2019t care about getting ruined.<\/p>\n

Space heaters can also be useful, but it\u2019s vital to use them safely. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), \u201cHeating equipment is the leading cause of U.S. home fires between December and January.\u201d<\/a> And a third of all heating equipment fires are caused by space heaters. But don\u2019t fret, NFPA offers resources at its website on portable heater safety<\/a> and proper use. And both The New York Times<\/a> and Consumer Reports<\/a> have very informative articles on this subject. Also keep in mind that these machines should never be pointed straight at the cage, left unsupervised, plugged into an extension cord, placed within 3 feet of flammable materials, etc.<\/p>\n

Please read my warnings about smoke from wood burning fires<\/a> in my last article, too.<\/p>\n

For the hot summer months, you can check out my article “Keep Pet Rats Cool When It\u2019s Hot<\/a>.” It goes over the dangers of heat stroke and provides tips when dealing with too much heat.<\/p>\n

Drafts<\/h3>\n

While it\u2019s a myth that drafts cause illness, they aren\u2019t exactly comfortable to sit in. For this reason, you should keep your rats\u2019 cage away from drafty areas in your house. Don\u2019t set it next to poorly insulated windows or doors. Don\u2019t put your rats directly under a vent or straight across from one either. If needed, adjust the vent nearest them to point away from them, without closing it altogether.<\/p>\n

Light<\/h3>\n
\"a
Your rats are sensitive to drafts, noise, and too much light, so keep this in mind when you choose a spot for their cage. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A rat\u2019s circadian rhythm can be negatively affected by too much light and not enough darkness. Rats in laboratories are given 12 hours of darkness a day, and I\u2019ve read suggestions of 8 to 12 hours for pet rats. So, find a space in your home that offers your rats this time away from both artificial and sun light. This includes nightlights.<\/p>\n

If you want to learn about a rat\u2019s sleep pattern, check out my article “What To Know About Pet Rats And Sleep<\/a>.”<\/p>\n

Noise<\/h3>\n

Many of us have more than one person in our home, and life can get noisy. It gets even louder during holiday festivities. Whether commotion is from talking, yelling, music, television, appliances, guests, or other pets, be aware of how your rats respond. Do they enjoy lively activity or hide from it?<\/p>\n

Provide newly acquired and nervous rats with a quiet area for the first few days until they are used to the sounds of the family. Then, if possible, keep the cage in an area that you frequent the most (unless you have a designated rat room). This encourages bonding and makes rats more sociable.<\/p>\n

If your cuties spook easily or hide when something like a vacuum turns on, consider relocating them when using loud appliances or devices. Put them in a room away from guests if you\u2019re having a party or they are being harassed by visiting children. And of course, never keep your rats next to a speaker.<\/p>\n

Cleanliness<\/h3>\n
\"view
Yes, you keep your rats’ cage clean, but your home surrounds it, so it also needs to be clean. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I don\u2019t expect anyone to keep their home spotless, but it\u2019s not just your rats\u2019 cage that you need to keep clean. The cleanliness of your own home can impact on your rats, too. Things like dust, pet dander, ammonia build up, bugs, and especially mold and bacteria can all be problematic for rodents. They can cause allergies, respiratory issues, and illness.<\/p>\n

At the very least, keep up with basic housecleaning and sanitize any \u201cmesses\u201d from other pets. You can check the section in my last article for safety tips concerning cleaning products<\/a>. It also has a section about air quality and ways to lessen allergens and other irritants.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re dealing with black mold, bring in professionals to remove it correctly. Also, let them know you have pets in the house and ask them or your vet about their risk of exposure.<\/p>\n

Pesticides And Bug Spray Repellent<\/h3>\n
\"top
Rats should never be in a room when pesticide is sprayed, and neither should their food, cage, or other accessories. Move your rats and all of their items to another room if a spray must be used. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Creepy crawlies can and will enter your home whether it\u2019s clean or dirty. Keeping a clean home lessens the number of them of course, but some are just inevitable.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sure it is obvious that insecticides and pesticides are toxic for pets<\/a>. It is advised to remove animals, their toys, beds, and their food supplies from any room where they will be used. It\u2019s supposedly safe for pets to be brought back once some of these products have completely dried. But considering how sensitive our rats are, I personally refuse to use any pesticides in a room where a rat cage is kept. If you do choose to use one though, please read and follow all the warnings on the label first. And definitely remove your rats, their cage, and all accessories from the room beforehand! Don\u2019t forget to wash your hands thoroughly after using them and before touching your rats either.<\/p>\n

If you have an exterminator come to your house, please never let them convince you their product is \u201cpet-safe\u201d near rats. Years ago, when my family and I were living with my mother, she believed an exterminator when he said his product could be used next to an occupied rat cage. None of their food, bedding, or water bottles were removed, nor were my rats. Tragically, I was not there at the time to stop him. The following day, I found one of my boys gasping for air. He died that evening. After doing a deep dive into the product that was sprayed and knowing Topher had been healthy beforehand, I truly believe that I lost my boy due to this toxic exposure.<\/p>\n

If another pet, like a cat or dog, has brought in fleas, treat that animal and your yard first. Usually that\u2019s enough to resolve it. If your rats do require treatment, talk to your vet about safe options.<\/p>\n

Bug spray repellents for humans are also hazardous for rats, particularly ones containing the active ingredient DEET<\/a>. If ingested or sprayed, DEET is known to cause irritation to the eyes, mouth, throat, and lungs in dogs. It can also cause them vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, tremors, or seizures. Rats won\u2019t fare any better.<\/p>\n

But even repellents without DEET are risky to use around rats. That\u2019s because they often contain either essential oils that are known for causing health complications in some animals, or they contain citronella. While citronella is pleasant smelling to humans, it isn\u2019t for rats and is used as a rodent deterrent. In my home, I prefer to use small, electrical bug zappers that plug in.<\/p>\n

Plants<\/h3>\n
\"white
Only keep plants that are not toxic to rats in rooms that your rats can access. Even a fallen leaf from a toxic plant could prove deadly if a rat gets to it. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In my opinion, a home is not a home until it\u2019s filled with pets and greenery. Frustratingly, many popular houseplants are toxic to animals. So, if you want both, then it\u2019s imperative to research the plants you already have and anything new you bring in.<\/p>\n

The ASPCA has a long list of toxic and non-toxic plants<\/a> for you to look through. If you find that some of yours are poisonous, immediately move them to a completely different room away from the cage and where your rats spend time with you. If you allow your rats to free-range, either get rid of your toxic plants altogether, or move them to a room your rats absolutely cannot get into. Do NOT take the chance and have these plants in the same space\u2014trust me!<\/p>\n

I also advise washing your hands after handling anything on the toxic list and before touching any of your pets. To be extra safe, pick up any dead leaves or flowers you find lying around, on the off chance your rats get loose throughout the house. Plants are still poisonous when they are dead and shriveled. This is no joke.<\/p>\n

No matter how you prefer your living spaces to look and feel, it\u2019s worth any extra effort it takes to ensure it also accommodates those precious rattie children.<\/p>\n

May you and your rat mischief stay cozy and warm this holiday season. See you next year!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Temperature, drafts, light, noise, cleanliness, bug spray, and plants are things in your home that could adversely affect your rats.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":3775,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rat","category-rat-housing"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3771"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3771\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3784,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3771\/revisions\/3784"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3775"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}