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whipple Jan 10, 2008 02:11 PM

I was hoping to come to a forum and learn on how to take best care of my rats. I will mention it now and never again, in case someone asks why I'm breeding. For snake food. I am never mentioning it again. I hope you can deal with it. I would rather not support the farm that breed rats at an alarming rate, and breed them constantly. I don't want that. Please don't attack me, I've had enough of that.
Anyhow, i have three rats, soon to be getting a fourth. I have two males and a female. I will be getting a new cage, and hammocks and really spice it up. I really like my rats, though I wouldn't say love, as I tell my son and my hubby I love them, and rats are not on that level.
Anyhow, I was just curious on how people litter train their rats.

Thanks.

Replies (3)

littleindiangirl Jan 10, 2008 04:52 PM

>>I was hoping to come to a forum and learn on how to take best care of my rats. I will mention it now and never again, in case someone asks why I'm breeding. For snake food. I am never mentioning it again. I hope you can deal with it. I would rather not support the farm that breed rats at an alarming rate, and breed them constantly. I don't want that. Please don't attack me, I've had enough of that.
Anyhow, i have three rats, soon to be getting a fourth. I have two males and a female. I will be getting a new cage, and hammocks and really spice it up. I really like my rats, though I wouldn't say love, as I tell my son and my hubby I love them, and rats are not on that level.
Anyhow, I was just curious on how people litter train their rats.

Thanks.

Hello, no bashing here, I too breed for feeders.

The methods that I have heard were to keep a small litter box with a different material than your substrate in the corner that you find the rat defecating in most often.

The ferret litter boxes work well, they are in the V shape to fit into the corners. If you use cellsorb or yesterday's news, use aspen in the litter box. Just keep the 2 substrates different.

Put some of his poo in the litter box, and place him in the litter box. If and when you see him pee or poop, give him praise and his favorite treat.

They say that if you are really close with your rat it is easier to train. Don't expect them to be 100% litter trained, as they still like to mark with pee as they explore.

Hope that helps! ~Connie

Whipple Jan 11, 2008 12:29 PM

I had a feeling that was about it. I thought there was a trick to it, but I guess not.

j3nnay Jan 16, 2008 06:57 PM

Nope, no trick to it. I would wait and see what corner/part of the cage your rats prefer the most, and then place the litter box there.
I honestly don't even try to do anything along the lines of litter box training. It's easier to just toss out an old sheet when I've got mine out so they pee on that, and clean the whole thing weekly. If you put yours away when you notice them getting ready to poo, and/or don't keep them out for longer than half an hour to an hour, you can actually train them not to poop on you while they're out.

~jenny
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