Choosing the Right Bedding
Bedding is more than just something that lines the bottom of the cage. It directly impacts your rats' respiratory health, enrichment, and overall quality of life.
When choosing a substrate, there are two major priorities to keep in mind:
1. Supporting Natural Behaviors
Rats are active foragers and natural diggers. Their bedding should allow them to:
- Tunnel
- Dig
- Burrow
- Forage
One of the easiest ways to provide enrichment is by scattering food directly into the bedding and lightly ruffling it. This encourages natural foraging behavior, increases mental stimulation, reduces stress, and can even improve overall temperament.
Deep, loose substrate allows rats to express instinctive behaviors that are essential to their wellbeing.
2. Ammonia Control and Respiratory Health
Ammonia control is critical.
Rats have sensitive airways, and most pet rats carry Mycoplasma as a normal respiratory bacteria. When ammonia levels build up from urine, it irritates the respiratory tract and can trigger flare-ups.
High ammonia exposure can lead to:
- Chronic respiratory irritation
- Increased susceptibility to infection
- Permanent lung damage
The difficult part is that ammonia damage often develops slowly. Symptoms may not appear for months, and by the time you notice signs of respiratory distress, irreversible damage may have already occurred.
Your bedding must be highly absorbent and effective at neutralizing ammonia.
What to Avoid
Certain bedding types and additives can do more harm than good.
Avoid:
- Scented bedding
- Products with added fragrances
- Anything containing sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) — it produces carbon dioxide when introduced into the stomach, which can lead to blockages or intestinal rupture if ingested
The following bedding types are not recommended:
- Fleece or fabric as a primary substrate
- Shredded newspaper or Yesterday's News
- Carefresh
- Corn cob bedding
These options either lack proper ammonia control, do not support natural digging behaviors, or pose safety concerns.
Recommended Bedding Options
The following substrates are appropriate and support both health and enrichment:
- Kiln-dried pine
- Aspen
- Hemp
- Flax
Compressed wood pellets can be used in litter boxes if desired.
For dig boxes or additional enrichment areas, you can use:
- Cocopeat
- Shredded paper
- Hay
Providing the right bedding is one of the most important ways you can protect your rats' respiratory health and improve their daily quality of life. If you are ever unsure about a bedding choice, I am always happy to review it with you before adoption.