Rats are evolved to tolerate any environment, hence the choice of bedding for rats is wider and more economy compared to other small pets. There used to be a couple of wild rats living in my backyards years ago and when I found their nest I was shocked. It was made out of newspapers, wires, dry hay and flowers, my dad's old shoe, my little sister's soft toy, my old stoking and etc.. Basically, rats can live with any bedding (except those that contain chemicals that would harm their health). In fact, bedding is not essential for rats unless they are living under cold temperature condition (less than 13 degree Celsius). However, many rats enjoy nest building and providing nesting materials can add to the enrichment of their cage environment. Cage building can be simulating for your rats, keeping them physically and mentally active. (fancy rat team)
The American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association (AFRMA) announced that both cedar and pine beddings are not acceptable for all small animals, simply because both contain phenols which are caustic, poisonous and acidic compounds. These compounds cause constant irritation to the nasal passages, throat, and lungs of small animals giving bacteria an easy opening, thus commonly causing pneumonia. Phenols also affect organs such as the liver and kidneys, because these organs are responsible for filtering toxins out of the body. When presented with a large amount of toxins over time, they are unable to filter it all out and begin to fail. An animal with a damaged liver will have a depressed immune system, which can lead to other medical conditions. I've personally witness a hamster got blind because of using pine bedding for less than a month. Corn cob and clay cat litter are also not suitable for rats as they are not made for housing small animals. Please remember not to use wood shavings that are not properly process and vacuumed packed. Most of the time, these shavings gives complication such as parasite (mite, lice, flea, tick) and respiratory problems to rats.
There are a range of suitable material for bedding that you can use for the rats' bedding, but there are only a few available in the Malaysian pet market (with affordable price of course). Shredded paper can be used for your rats bedding. Bear in mind that if you are to use newspaper, the ink must be non-toxic soy or vegetable ink. You can also use 100% paper based cat litter such as Breeder Celect which is harmless to your rats. Another alternative of using paper based bedding is by using cloth as your rats bedding. This is the cheapest yet environmental friendly type of bedding for your rats. Aspen bedding is also a very good choice for bedding. Unlike cedar and pine, aspen does not contain toxic phenol, but unfortunately aspen bedding is not readily available in Malaysia. A popular choice of bedding for most Malaysian small animals' owner is Chipsi bedding, the most affordable type of bedding after pine and cedar but it is safe for your rats. If you are keeping any kittens (baby rats), try to avoid using wood based bedding as the dust will cause certain irritation to the kittens' noses. It is best if mix bedding is given to your rats as that is the closest bedding to their natural habitat.
Photo courtesy of Adriane
The maintenance of their bedding is also very important. Make sure the bedding is being changed regularly. The bedding is to be changed when the colour and smell of the bedding turns unpleasant. You must check the bedding from time to time and make sure the bedding is free from any infestation. The bedding must also be changed when you rats 'store' too much food under it. It's best to change the bedding once a week to keep your rat clean and happy. Just throw some fresh bedding into their cage and they will be happy to arrange and decorate their home themselves.
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