How To Keep Your Rat Safe In A Winter Storm

Severe winter weather is one of the most common natural disasters in the world, and being prepared in advance can help keep your rat safe during a winter storm. With a few simple and easy preparations you can ensure that your pet stays healthy and comfortable, even when the weather outside is dangerously cold. Prior to the storm hitting, here are a few things you can do to prepare your rat for a winter storm.

Have 2 weeks of food available before the storm hits: Prior to severe winter weather, many people stock up on essentials for themselves- but may forget that they also need to have essentials on hand for their pets. Prior to a winter storm approaching, make sure you have at least 2 weeks of food available for your rat. In case of emergency, you will be able to ensure your pet is still fed.

Keep extra water available: In case of frozen pipes or a loss of access to fresh water, you will also want to make sure you have water available for your rat. Having an additional gallon of fresh drinking water available in case of an emergency, for your pet, can help prevent issues if you lose access to water during the storm.

Prepare emergency travel cage: In the case of any emergency situation, we always recommend attempting to have some kind of emergency travel cage available in case you need to relocate with your pet. A travel cage specifically made for rat is recommended, but in the case of an emergency you can also use a plastic Tupperware container with a lid that has had holes poked into the top. If necessary, you can also use a small cardboard box with holes poked into the top. In the case of a cardboard box, it is especially important to monitor your pet to ensure they are not attempting to chew out of the box. Regardless of the type of travel cage you prepare, it’s best to have a layer of soft bedding in the bottom of the cage to keep your pet comfortable and to give them a sense of security by allowing them to burrow.

Keep habitat away from windows and doors: Most winter storms are accompanied by strong, cold winds. These winds often create very cold drafts near doors and windows. To keep your pet from becoming chilled, it’s best to keep the habitat away from areas that are subject to cold drafts. Placing your rat’s habitat against an inside wall, or in the center of a room, can help ensure they are not near cold winter air.

Offer soft, thick bedding for proper insulation: Replacing wood bedding with paper or cardboard based bedding during a winter storm can also help your pet stay warmer. Paper based bedding tends to insulate more efficiently than wood based bedding, which can help your rat stay warmer, easier.

Keep bedding very dry: In the case of dangerously cold weather, it’s very important that your pet stay as dry as possible. If they were to get wet, it will be harder for them to maintain an appropriate body temperature.

Place multiple tunnels and hide-outs within the habitat: During cold temperatures, having multiple hide-outs available for your rat is a good way to encourage them to hide away and stay warm. Most rats will instinctively burrow when the weather gets colder to stay warm. Offering deep bedding with multiple tunnels and hide-outs gives them plenty of places to stay comfy.

Fill a tunnel with warm nesting material: An easy way to make tunnels and hide-outs warmer for your rat is to fill them with warm nesting material such as untreated moss, hay, coconut coir, bamboo, natural wool, and natural animal fur (such as angora rabbit fur). These materials give your rat well-insulated material they can burrow into.

Keep habitat in the warmest room in the house: If a certain part of your house tends to be warmer than other parts, placing your rat’s habitat in that room during severe winter weather can help your pet stay safe.

Offer high-fat snacks: If temperatures begin to drop in your home, a quick way to help your pet temporarily increase their body temperature is to feed them a high fat snack. These snacks should be fed in moderation, but can help pets with high metabolisms, such as rats, stay content when the room temperature drops. These high fat snacks can include sunflower seeds, corn kernels, peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, or a bit of unsweetened cooked oatmeal.

Avoid feeding fresh produce temporarily, to prevent moisture from getting into bedding: Although fresh produce is a very important part of a rat’s diet, we recommend temporarily avoiding fresh produce during winter storm warnings. Often rat’s will take fresh fruit and store it in different areas within their habitat. The moisture of fresh produce can dampen bedding, subjecting your pet to area’s where their fur can get wet as well. Wet fur can cause your pet to get colder, easier. Holding off on feeding fresh produce until the severe winter weather has passed can help you keep your pet’s bedding dry and safe.

If the heat in your home is inefficient, check out our tips for keeping a rat warm in winter here.

 

What should you do with your rat if the electricity goes out during the winter storm?

If the electricity goes out, it’s vital you take extra steps to keep your rat safe during a winter storm. In case of a cold weather emergency, these actions can help keep your rat warm and healthy.

Place habitat in center of room where you can easily monitor them: The first step you should take to keep your rat safe in the case of a winter storm electrical outage, is to place their habitat in the center of a room where you can easily monitor them. This will keep them away from drafts, while also allowing you to check on them regularly.

Cover habitat with blanket to keep in heat: By placing a heavy blanket over your pet’s cage you can keep warm air in their habitat longer. This will insulate the warmer air and keep the cage comfortable, even as the rest of the room begins to cool down.

Keep pet in habitat: During emergency situations, such as a winter storm power outage, it’s best not to bring your pet out of their habitat. Keeping your pet safely in their habitat allows them to burrow and stay warm. It also allows you to easily monitor them and keep them secure in case you need to quickly relocate them.

If your pet burrows into bedding, do not disturb your pet: Burrowing is a natural instinct many animals have to keep themselves warm in cooler temperatures. If you notice your rat is burrowing into the bedding or staying in a hideaway, do not disturb them. By letting them stay in place, you will help them stay warm and comfortable.

Monitor pet for signs of hypothermia: Check your pet regularly as the temperature in your home drops to look for signs of hypothermia. In rats these signs include acting lethargic and unresponsive or shaking/shivering for more than 5 consecutive minutes.

 

If your rat begins to show signs of hypothermia, what should you do?

Rats are hardy little pets and can often weather cold temperatures by comfortably burrowing away into warm bedding. If your pet begins to act very lethargic and unresponsive, is shivering for more than 5 consecutive minutes, or gets wet by accident in cold temperatures- it’s important to act quickly to help your pet get warm. If you cannot access a vet, here are a few steps you can take to help your pet.

If your rat is hand-tame, hold the rat in your hands: One of the most effective way to increase a rat’s body temperature is to use your own warmth. If your hands are warm wrap your rat in a small cloth, such as a wash cloth, and gentle cradle the rat in your hands. You can bring the rat closer to you- even placing them on your lap or in a sweatshirt pocket. Anywhere where your body heat can extend to them can help them get warm.

Place pet in your emergency travel cage: Your emergency travel cage can be a special travel cage made specifically for rats, or a Tupperware container with holes in the lid, or a cardboard box with holes in the top.

Fill the travel cage or box with soft dry bedding: Your travel cage should be filled with a layer of soft dry bedding that your pet can easily burrow into. Bamboo fiber, paper-based beddings, and coconut coir are all great bedding sources that allow for comfortable insulated burrowing.

If you have access to electricity, place the travel cage on top of a heat blanket: A heat blanket is a good source of consistent warm heat. You can place your rat’s travel cage on top of the heat blanket to help it become warmer. To help insulate the heat, wrap the blanket around the cage leaving one side open so you can monitor your pet. 

Place cage near you under a heavy blanket: If you do not have access to electricity or a heat blanket, you can create your own heat source with your own body heat. Place your rat’s travel cage beside you and then place a heavy blanket over you and the cage. Allow your body heat to warm area under the heat blanket, also warming the heat blanket.

Monitor your rat’s behavior: As your rat’s body temperature warms they should become more alert. They should no longer be lethargic or shivering. They should eventually begin to get up and try to move around. At this point offer them access to a water source and a small amount of rat kibble. Continue to monitor your rat. Ideally, you should also keep your rat in a warm area- such as a travel cage next to your body where they have a stable heat source to help them stay warm.

Winter storms are stressful for humans and their pets alike. Small animals, such as rat, are especially susceptible to the cold and taking extra precautions during winter storms, and knowing what to do in the case of an emergency can help you prepare for even the most extreme of cold weather emergencies.

 

Rats are extraordinary little creatures, and fascinating pets. Many people don't realize how absolutely wonderful these little beings can be. But we do. We are Rat Cottage and we fully acknowledge how amazing rats are. Some would call us 'rat crazy' or 'rat addicts', but in all reality we are very simply 'rat lovers'.

We welcome you with open arms to our online habitat. This site is one of the many great web addresses dedicated to promoting ethical care of rats. Our goal is to educate people about rats. Unlike most factual sites we try to make our information fun and simple. We want to break down the step-by-step of proper rat care in enough detail to ensure that nothing is missed, yet in a way that is entertaining to read.

If you are new to rat ownership or plan on bringing a little furry fellow into your home we suggest starting with these articles about basic rat care:
The Basics of Rat Care

The Basics of Rat Behavior
Setting Up Your First Rat Habitat

If you are a more experienced rat caretaker perhaps you would like to drift through our archive of crafty how-tos and tutorials on snacks, habitats, and more.

Rat Snack Ideas

Rat Toy Ideas

Homemade Rat Kibble Recipe

 

Basics of Rat Care

Rats are probably the most child-friendly pet rodent because they are so large and develop very loving personalities when cared for correctly. They're a bit better to handle as they are not so fragile and can usually withstand children's hands (although kids should always be supervised when handling them).

Photo credit to For The Love of Rats Rescue.
Click their name to learn more about this great rescue!

Cage: A cage is not a permanent home for a rat. Rather it's sort of like a child's bedroom where you can send your pet to sleep, play, eat, and drink when you're not around to supervise them. Most ferret cages are the prime size for a rat. Remember- the bigger the better. We recommend a wire care for a rat for proper air circulation. There shouldn't be wire on the bottom- it should be plastic. And if you can find one with horizontal bars (spaced no more than 3/4 inch apart) then that would be perfect. Horizontal bars allow your rat to climb. Multiple levels are also a great idea for rats because they like to climb and jump. A rat's cage should be no smaller than 18 inches by 24 inches by 18 inches.

Food: Just as with all animals- rat's need food. But unlike other rodents- that mostly eat seeds, rats need a variety of all sorts of things. In fact, they very closely share a human's dietary needs. They need grains and seeds, fruits, vegetables, and meat and fish. A good mix of all of these things will keep your rat healthy for a full lifetime.

Water: Rats need water to stay hydrated. We don't recommend a water bottle, simply because they easily get clogged and cause dehydration. Instead we suggest a heavy weight bowl that won't easily tip over. Water should be changed daily and always be available.

Tunnels: In the wild rats hide away in small shadowy areas. In captivity there is one specific place that almost all rat's prefer. And those places are tunnels. Things like PVC pipe, Pringle containers, and ferret tunnels all make great tunnels for rats. Why are these necessary? They supply your rat with a sense of safety while also letting them explore a completely secluded area.

Hut/ Hideaway Area: Rats are nocturnal creatures, and although they are often active in the day- they still need a dark tent-like area to hide and sleep in during the day. A hut, cardboard box, or even a small tent make great secluded areas for your rat. Rat's also love to build nests, and will typically do so in hideaway areas. This is a 100% natural activity that promotes positive activity and exercise.

Nesting Material: Not all rat's will build nests, but most avidly enjoy shredding pieces of fabric, paper, and cardboard and arranging them into a nice comfy nest. They'll often collect soft things like feathers, bits of fur, and even dust balls to add to their home. Nest building keeps your rat stimulated while also giving them a comfy place to call 'home'. Supplying them with a variety of shreddable materials (computer paper, cardboard, cotton fabric) is a good way to promote such activity.

Climbing Toys: Rats are excellent climber's. We like to call them 4 year old children- because they can make anything into a play gym. A couch, book case, even stairs makes for the ideal jump around place for a rat. A good way to promote climbing activity is to offer your rat climbing areas in their cage. Piles of tree branches, large rocks, and driftwood pieces make magnificent climbing areas.

Chew Toys: See those sharp little teeth? They were made for chewing and rats certainly need to chew. Unlike other rodents- that chew on pieces of wood, rats should also be supplied with things like dog biscuits, dried all natural rawhide, and dried pig ears. These are good ways to keep your rat's teeth from over-growing while also offering a nice snack!

Companionship: Rats are social creatures. They connect with humans more intimately than other smaller rodents. So if you have the time to cuddle your rat- cuddle them. Lots and lots. They love humans and will make very great companions if handled often. If you can, making a family with more than one rat is highly recommended. Male rats do well in groups of two or three if they are raised together from a young age. Female rats do well in groups of three to five, and can be introduced at any time in their lives.

The Basics of Rat Behavior

Each rat has it's own behavior, it's own personality, and it's own activity habits. But there are a few traits that almost all rats share.

Photo credit to For The Love of Rats Rescue.
Click their name to learn more about this great rescue!

Socializing: Rats are very social creatures and enjoy cuddling, playing, and even bickering with fellow animals. They get along well in groups and bond very easily with their human parents. With a lot of love and a little bit of respect you and your rat can become the best of companions.

Chewing: Rats chew... everything. They chew wooden bits and shred paper and pull apart almost anything they can get their mouth around. You can stimulate this behavior by offering them chew toys. Any toys for a small dog breed- make a good toy for a rat. Unlike other rodents they don't really enjoy chewing wood. Rather they would happily tear into rawhide or shred a rope bone.

Playing: Eat, sleep, and play. Those are the three main parts of a rat's day. Rats love jumping and pouncing and chasing and playing with almost anything. The littlest things can keep a rat busy. They can be entertained by a ping pong ball for hours. Offer your rat lots of toys and tunnels and play gyms to play with and on.

Climbing: You wouldn't think that rat's make the best of climbers, but rat's truly are magnificent climbing animals. They can scurry up tree bark, furniture, and even kitchen cabinets. That's why it's really important to supervise your critter while they're free from their cage. It's also important to inspire this natural climbing behavior by offering a cage with multiple levels and having a 'playgym'. You can make a play gym with a variety of things- but we've learned that a pile of tree branches make an excellent climbing area of rats.

Scavenging: In the wild rat's search for their food. They have excellent noses that lead them right to crumbs of food. And they enjoy finding food- so leaving snacks around your rat's habitat is a great surprise for them. Bits of dried sweet potato, a pilot bread cracker, or some fresh greens are all great 'scavenging snacks'.

Hunting: Many people forget that in the wild a rat will hunt about 40% of it's food. They will eat mice, birds, chicks, even fellow rats. And although domestic rats loose their hunting habits- they still have their hunting instincts. They enjoy chasing things down, stalking, and tackling their prey. You can inspire this behavior by letting them play with feather cat toys or chase toys made for ferrets.

Nest Building: Rats build nests out of soft materials. Nests aren't just for breeding- they also build them for comfort and to create a place of security in their home. Some rat's are more prone to nest building than other's. But it's still important to let your rat build nests and give them bits of paper and cardboard that they can shred and create nests with.

Hiding: People often ask, "Why are tunnels and tents so important for rats?". Rats hide! It's an instinct that is bred into them. They feel safest when they are in a confined small area. Tunnels and tents provide this sense of security for a rat and you should offer them lots of places to 'get away'. It helps calm them down and gives them their much needed alone time.

Nocturnal Activity: Rat's love the dark! They are typically awake during both the day and night. They will take frequent naps, with their most active times being around dusk and dawn. So morning and evening are the prime times to let your rat outside to play. But remember, even in the darkest hours your rat will be up eating, climbing around it's cage, and playing (sometimes noisily). So if you're not a huge fan of moonlight noise-making, you may want to look for a rodent that is awake in the day (like a gerbil).

How To Set Up Your First Rat Habitat

Rat's are pretty adaptable rodents, and can easily transition from one environment to another. But that doesn't mean you should take every precaution to make sure your rat's habitat is the best home it can be. We've created a simple step by step plan to creating the perfect very first rat habitat.

Photo credit to For The Love of Rats Rescue.
Click their name to learn more about this great rescue!

Find The Right Cage: The perfect rat cage is at least 18 x 18 x 24 inches large. The bar spacing should be no wider than 1/2 an inch (to prevent escaping). Most multi-level ferret cages make perfect rat habitats! Rat's love jumping and climbing and are very comfortable in a home that offers more than one story. In fact we highly recommend it. Look for a cage that offers space in the bottom to fill with bedding (at least 2 to 3 inches high).

Layer Some Bedding: In the bottom of your rat's habitat add two to three inches of bedding. Avoid any evergreen beddings (cypress, pine, etc). Instead opt for aspen, dried moss, or even straw. Natural beddings are better, as they are safe in case they are accidentally ingested.

Add Different Levels: If you have a multi-level habitat, add lots of levels! Levels help give your rat inspiration to get up and get active. They also provide different areas for sleep, play, and eating and drinking. Try and find levels that are solid, not mesh or cage-bar like- as rats feet can get caught in these and possibly break.

Make A Dinner Table: On the second level of your rats habitat add a food and water dish. We don't recommend a water bottle because they easily get clogged and can cause dehydration. Instead use two heavy glass bowls for food and water. Why put them on the second level? They are away from bedding and sleep areas- which meals they won't be contaminated by possible feces and bedding messes.

Create A Play Gym: On a different level, or in the bottom corner of your rat's habitat add a play gym! A play gym is a place where your rat can climb, jump, play, and explore. You can create this area with a pile of sticks, a large rigid rock, or even a big piece of driftwood. Anything can make a good climbing area for a rat- just think of things that a tiny creature would find fun to run around on.

Add Some Tunnels: Most ferret cages come with a few optional tunnels. Use them! They're perfect for rats. But you can also make extra tunnels with pringles cans, PVC pipe, and even jeans legs. Tunnels provide a place for your rat to feel safe- as well as build nests and explore through.

Add Hide-Out Areas: Fill a few corners of your rat's habitat with hide-out areas. Hide-out areas can be made from a variety of things. Even an old shoebox can make a great hideout area for a rat. But tents, huts, and nap sacks also work very well as a getaway private area for your rat. These provide places for them to sleep. Also it gives them a place of security and safety where they can go if they feel threatened, scared, or just in need of some alone time.

Add Some Toys: Rats need constant entertainment, so fill your rat's habitat with all sorts of things to keep them entertained. A wheel, cat toys, dog snacks, and even pieces of fur and feathers can keep a rat entertained for a very long time. Get creative and pay attention to things to rat enjoys- then add more of them to its home!