• new rats
• cages
• housing
• bedding
• exercise
• rat proofing
• how to...
• rat bite fever

Some of the Main Areas for Concern are as Follows:

Cabinets

Under your kitchen and bathroom cabinets. There is usually a gap that your rats can easily get into, and there could be an opening in the wall you are not aware of. You can easily purchase thin wood and screw it into the kick plate on the bottom. All cabinets should be secured using child proof locks, to avoid any accidents, and exposure to cleaning chemicals. The best locks that I personally have found are the magnetic ones, there is no give for the rat to squeeze through, or force the doors open.

Washroom

Carefully inspect your washroom area, rats are notorious for crawling under the washing machine and finding their way up into the machine. This is extremely dangerous as the rats exposed to the inner mechanics of the machine, can easily get stuck and injured. Rats have also been know to get into the dryer house, walk through the tube and find their way to the outside or get stuck within walls. When accessing your washroom, the best way to prevent any dangers with 100% certainty is to ensure all the rats are either in their cage or secured in a room.

Window screens

Always ensure there are no tears in them and they are fitted securely. Keep in mind rats scratch and knaw, so it is definitely wise to keep your windows closed while the rats are about.

Under or behind the refrigerator, oven, dishwashers, doors, etc.

BEFORE running the dishwasher or turning on the oven, ALWAYS check inside thoroughly and ensure no rat has made their way in. Always keep the door or room to your washer/dryer off-limits to your rats at all times, as they are more than capable of climbing around underneath and inside which could have a tragic ending. Refrigerator and ovens need to be lowered to the floors so no rat can get underneath, as well as have all sides blocked from access. If you have doors that have a large enough opening for a rat to crawl under, you can add a door sweeper or weather stripping to keep them out. You might also consider adding a carpet protector in front of your doors, as these little fuzzies love digging, especially in front of closed doors (they think if they dig long enough they'll find a way onto the other side).

Beds, couches and recliners

A box spring is an extremely dangerous place for a rat, that will surely lead to tragedy. An easy way to combat the problem is to staple a sheet pulled tight or a carpet protector to the bottom of your box spring. Recliners are great to have, but if you're going to own a rat it really has to go or be modified. A rat can get caught in the moving wires, clamps etc., without you realizing it. Fortunately, it is easy enough to convert a recliner into a stationary chair. Couches/sofas posses another problem. To keep your fuzzies from getting into your couch from underneath, follow the same suggestion for your box spring above. If you have rats that dig their way through the cushions on top, you can try using a throw cover, but be prepared to join the majority of rat owners who are now futon owners. Another point to keep in mind is if they get under your couch which is low to the ground, they might decide to use a corner as their litter box. Always inspect the sofa cushions, rats are notorious for getting under or into them. They can easily get caught/suffocate, or get seriously injured if sat upon. If possible keep them away from sofas, recliners, chairs, etc.

Wires

Some rats love to chew on wires, which is obviously quite dangerous. To help avoid this situation, you can try and keep all the wires together and utilize a plastic wire protector which the wires will run through. Another option to try is to spray or apply bitter apple spray or gels to the wires as the taste will usually discourage this behavior.

Open railings

If you live in a split level home and your rats are allowed full access, open railings can present a big hazard to your rat. You can either restrict your rat only to the lower level by using a Plexiglas guard, or you can purchase fiberglass or Plexiglas sheets to intertwine between the spindles to protect your fuzzy from going/falling through.

---

For more information on Rattie Express or any of our animals, please email me (Tara) at rattie.express@comcast.net.