Reddit mentions: The best small animalhabitat decor

I get all my fleece from JoAnn stores. They often have fleece at 50% off per yard, so you can buy it in bulk and use it as needed. Any large fabric store will have lots of fleece in stock (I just prefer JoAnn because that's the best one I have in the area I live in). I'm sure you know this already, but just in case, please don't use cedar or pine chips as bedding for your rats; it's harmful to them. You can use fleece or aspen chip bedding (but freeze the aspen for 48 hours prior to use to make sure it's free of parasites).

I buy many rat toys on Amazon, and make some myself. If you're buying any kind of wooden rat toy, do be aware that many of them are made from soft woods like pine and cedar, which are super bad for rat respiratory systems. Hardwood toys are usually safe—just make sure it's not a combination wood that also has pine or cedar in it along with the hardwood. I personally do not buy wood toys on amazon, because the products often don't list what kind of wood they're made of. The only wood product I buy on Amazon is bags of untreated apple branch chewing sticks. I'll link you to some rat-safe toys and accessories I buy on amazon below! :)

Kaytee Lava Ledge
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00176F466/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

15" Chin Spin - Small Animal Exercise Wheel - Handmade in USA (Expensive, but it's the very best and safest wheel for rats.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GJ6SDBQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bright Starts Lots of Links Accessory Toy (Great for hanging things up in the cage.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ABZGU2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1

Small Animal Activity Toy Cotton Rope Net For Rat and Ferret Pet Bed for Parrot and Hamster Parrot
https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Activity-Cotton-Ferret-Hamster/dp/B0777NWKT9/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1519011945&sr=1-2&keywords=rat+rope+net

Kaytee Igloo Hideout, Large
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00068K132/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ACCO Binder Clips, Medium, 2 Boxes, 12/Box (A7072050) (If using fleece as the bedding/liner in your cage, this helps to secure fleece to the Critter Nation pans.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TQ8FDB8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap - Baby Unscented, 32oz. (I don't use any scented products with my rats since rat respiratory systems are so fragile, so this is the non-scented liquid soap I use to wash my hands and their non-fabric toys.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DAI76TC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pawliss Teeth Grinding Lava Block for Hamster Chinchilla Rabbit
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HGHA6VW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Aspen/Booda Corporation BBX56134 Byrdy Cable Cross Bird Toy, Medium
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003WRHTG6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

200g(7oz) Apple Sticks Pet Snacks Chew Toys for Guinea Pigs Chinchilla Squirrel Rabbits Hamster(About 50-70 Sticks) by MAIYUAN (The only wood product I buy on Amazon.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WLL641Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ware Manufacturing Fun Tunnels Play Tube for Small Pets (Medium.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LUMU9M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ware Manufacturing Plastic Scatterless Lock-N-Litter Small Pet Pan- Colors May Vary (Regular size, not jumbo.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SLICDA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

JW Comfy Perch for Birds (Large, 36".)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AR754/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lixit Critter Space Pod 2 Large (You can hand these on the ceiling of the Critter Nation. My boys LOVE these!)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002X2NBNQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lixit Lbg-16 Glass Small Animal Bottle 16 Oz (16oz is always best for rats because of the bigger water spout. I've found that smaller bottles are a struggle for my boys to get water out of, so I only use the small ones for rat carriers/transporter cages. Tip: filtered water is best for rats, so if you can, get a Britta water filter.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WYCFK0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yummy Time Tiny Small Stoneware Pet/Dog Bowl
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAUMYDC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I buy Harlan Teklad (Envigo) food blocks for my rats, which is one of the top two for rats (the other is Oxbow Regal Rat). Harland Teklad is hard to find though, so I buy mine through this animal rescue:
http://weecompanions.org/healthy-food

If you get these blocks, freeze them to extend their shelf life, and take them out from the freezer as needed to fill your ratties' bowls. Harlan Teklad is great because they have several formulas for rats based on their age, which is super helpful for their health. Young rats up to 8 months usually eat Harlan Teklad 2016 (16% protein), and after 8 months they eat Harlan Teklad 2014 (14% protein).

Also, I don't have a link for this, but the best laundry detergents to use to wash your rats' cloth toys or bedding with is one that's non-scented and is sensitive on skins.

Um, if I think of anything else, I'll add it. But for now, it's already a ton. :P Enjoy!

(And feel free to message me if you have any questions!)

I have a 5 year old daughter and a 2 1/2 year old daughter. I will say that mice can be a delightful pet for your daughter -- with a few caveats.

1. Consider the mice entirely your pets. While she may (and should) help out with cage cleaning, playing with them, refilling food and water, etc., you must be the one to keep the schedule.
   
2. You should be present with her every single time she plays with them, until you're really 100% sure she understands how to handle them and what the rules are (how you get them out of the cage, where do they go, etc.). Mice are generally very sweet and do NOT bite unless they are squeezed, scared, or handled roughly. So you need to spend lots of time with your daughter demonstrating how to hold them. Use a toilet paper tube to pick them up in the beginning, and have a safe "free play" bin where she can interact with them and they can't escape. My older daughter was 3 when we first got a pair of hamsters, and then a year later we got 2 mice. Now we have 3 mice (two girls in one tank and a boy in another). I can let her take out her boy mouse while she's in her room and trust that she will play safely with him unsupervised and he'll be returned safely to his tank. Contrast this with her 7 year old friend who has had no pets (only recently got a dog), and when I let her hold one mouse, she immediately dropped it because it peed on her. So I think her age is great BUT she will need lots of supervision.
   
3. Speaking of pee/poo, they will likely do so while you're holding them, at least in the beginning (when they are scared babies). It's really no big deal, though.
   
4. I would get a 20-gallon tank and use a mix of aspen shavings and Eco Earth/reptile bark in one end for fun digging. They love to dig in bedding and the tank, with a secure lid, will be very safe. It will likely be as expensive as the bin cage, once you get all materials. Since you have a dog and cat you want NO chance of them getting in a cage. When you're playing with them in a bin, put it on a table. (Trust me... you can't leave them for a second, your dog/cat WILL come in and get to them.)
   
5. I have gotten mice from PetCo and from a reptile "feeder" store. The PetCo mice were albino, clearly girls, and they tamed pretty quickly. The feeder store mice were adorable colors, BUT one turned out to be a boy. They were super young and took a little longer to tame. If mice are mixed girls/boys and they're older than ~6 weeks, the girls are likely pregnant. A local breeder is your best bet. Second best would be anywhere to get young (8-12 week old) mice that hopefully are gendered correctly and NOT pregnant!
   
6. When you pick them out, pick the friendliest, calmest, most curious ones. If you put your hand in and one comes up to you, pick that one. Don't go for the extra cute one that bolts from you. Avoid one that rattles its tail or lunges to bite. They can all be tamed but the calm/brave ones will always be much easier and the shy ones will always be more timid.
   
7. Taming will take a lot of time in the beginning. They need lots of short daily interaction with lots of treats like mealworms, or yogurt/peanut butter on a spoon (so they can't snatch a treat and run away). You might start with a small cage and then upgrade once they're tame. I wouldn't stick them in a huge cage with tons of hides at first. You want lots of positive interactions. And out of cage playtime in a fun safe area.
   
8. I would get 3 girl mice. Boys can be sweet and mine is a doll, BUT they have a musk that is like mouse cologne. The pee/poo smell will be about the same for both (you'll need a full bedding change once a week), but the boy loves his smell and he always has it. Something you have to get used to, and clean more frequently.
   
   Overall, mice are FUN, ADORABLE and underrated pets!! The 20 gallon tank will be loads of fun to put ropes, sticks, toys, hanging baskets, tubes, etc. inside and watch them go. Wooden houses like this and this are super fun for kids to put together. We go to Michael's and get wooden birdhouses/castles and put them in as hides. After you put in the time taming them (remember food = love), you and your daughter will have a blast. Good luck and share any pics if you get them!
   
   ​

Oh well if the cage is open then my apologies!

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I wonder does he have any trouble hopping out on his own? Perhaps you could set up a small ramp or bridge to make it easier for him. Something like this.

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The other thing that I bet prevents him from exploring more is the wood floors (which I myself have). Bunnies often don't like wood floors as they are slippery and feel unsafe.. that alone is enough to make the bun be very reluctant to explore and happened to my GF who could not figure out the issue.

Consider adding a blanket or area run in a couple places in your home for him to be able to do her fast zoomies and play. I highly recommend this indoor/outdoor rug - it is easy to clean, inexpensive, and due to a tight weave hard to chew. It fantastic and a lot of bunny parents use it.

Start by even a blanket outside his cage and see if he spend more time outside on it, that should be telling.

​

One more thing is to add a few hidy houses around your home for him, like even a cardboard box... Bunnies love to be in a place they feel safe in and adding a hidy house provides that feeling of safety and ability to retreat if needed.

​

Another thing is just to provide some toys for him to play with and entertain himself and want to explore. I can share some below.

I recently discovered this awesome thing and test it already ... yup, still awesome https://www.chewy.com/living-world-teach-n-treat-small/dp/131458

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More suggestions below:

1. Bunnies like exporting type toys - tunnels, cardboard houses, willow and hay balls, chews, and treat puzzles . The two thread below have examples:
   
   
   1. https://www.reddit.com/r/Rabbits/comments/an8cut/rabbit_room_ideas/
      
   2. https://www.reddit.com/r/Rabbits/comments/ajf2vl/how_to_enrich_my_rabbits_life/
      
2. Also a couple suggestions below that are my personal favorites and all buns tend to enjoy:
   
   
   1. Treat/pellets ball - feed pellets in it vs a bowl
      
   2. Nesting cups - hide little treat bits between stacked cups, I have not met a bun who doesn't love these
      
   3. Plastic slinky - most buns love these
      
   4. Baby plastic keys
      
   5. Play house
      
   6. Dig box
      
3. Also try homemade things - the best I found was an empty egg carton stuffed wit favorite greens for him to figure out how to open. :)
   
   
   1. Or something like this https://www.reddit.com/r/Rabbits/comments/be338f/diy_pellet_dispenser/
      
   2. Or a homemade castle like this person did https://www.reddit.com/r/Rabbits/comments/bcl9p4/cardboard_castle/ - she has instructions on how to make one, send her a message.
      
4. Chew toys specifically
   
   
   1. Willow and hay balls are great - good quality ones here https://shop.smallpetselect.com/collections/natural-toys-and-chews-for-rabbits
      
   2. They also have these logs where you can hide treats and pellets for fun - the bun would love to chew those I think and they last too. :)
      
   3. Great quality toys that are super fragrant and yummy to chew here https://www.farmerdavepetsupply.com/toys
      
   4. And thicker good chew sticks here https://www.farmerdavepetsupply.com/chew-sticks

Sorry about your dog.

Bedding: The purpose of some sort of bedding material is to absorb urine and odors and to minimize your pets' contact with their own waste. Some people use fabric to cover the levels and/or floor of their cage. The benefits of this is it's reusable and there's less waste but fabric is crap at controlling odors so needs to be washed very regularly (every few days) and some rats destroy it pretty quickly. Loose substrates are generally better at absorbing urine and odors/ammonia but can be a little messier and create more waste. Personally, I use a combination of a loose substrate (aspen shavings) on the floor of the cage and fleece mats with an absorbent inner layer on the platforms of the cage.

There are lots of loose substrate bedding options but the main things you want to look for are good absorbency, good odor/ammonia control, as little dust as possible, fragrance free, and low cost. Nothing gets 10s across the board so sometimes it just takes some experimentation to figure out what works best for you, your rats, their cage, and your lifestyle. Some good options I've used include fragrance free paper pellet litter (bags made for cats are sometimes cheaper), "crumbled" paper litter, soft paper substrates like Carefresh or Clean & Cozy, and aspen or kiln-dried pine shaving. You can also just cover the floor with sheets of paper and they'll have a blast shredding it up and carrying it all over the cage. Blank newsprint is pretty cheap at the hardware store and you wouldn't have to worry about inks. Paper would get gross quickly and would need to be changed very often.

Food: The most widely available recommended pellet food is Oxbow. You can get it at PetSmart stores but it's cheaper on Amazon or Chewy. Oxbow is generally free fed (always available) but it's good to supplement it with fresh veggies and/or a little bit of a grain/seed mix every few days. Other recommended pellet options are Envigo Teklad (also available on Amazon - 2014 formula for adult rats and 2018 formula for juveniles) and Mazuri. For nutritional balance reasons, you might want to make sure that 70-80% of their diet is the pellet and 20-25% is supplemental. This equals out to only about 4 to 7 grams of supplemental stuff daily, per rat.

Cage Accessories: For the most part, you can fill the cage with literal garbage and your rats will be happy. You don't really need to spend any money to make a cage fun for your rats. I try my best to avoid purchasing overpriced pet-store items. You can use cardboard boxes from the recycle bin, ropes and small baskets and bins from the basement, thrift shop, or dollar store, scraps cut from old clothes strung up with paper clips as make-shift hammocks, etc. The hardware store is also a good place to find fun cage items. A cluttered cage is a good cage. I like to have as many hammocks and hides as I have rats so they can all have their own spaces if they want to be alone. It's good to have at least a couple sets of hammocks because they need to be washed frequently. I wash all fabric cage items 2 to 3 times a week. Cardboard and paper items get tossed weekly because they also start to smell awful.

While you don't need to spend any money on accessories, there are some things that are worth their weight in gold. Space Pods are wonderful. I drill a hole in the bottom of them so pee drains out. Lava ledges are good for keeping nails trim and when strategically placed, they can be used instead of those stupid ramps. I love bendy rope perches, they're great for creating "steps" to higher hammocks and stuff.

Awww. He's a cutie! And that playpen is AWESOME.

Usually I see advice to give them about a week to settle in. For an older hamster, it might take a bit longer.

I also got my dwarf as an older guy - and he did the same frantic running around thing! At first I thought he was excited, but like you I soon realized he was actually terrified.

I ended up doing something similar to what you have, where he could go in and out of his cage on his own terms. It still took about a week for him to feel confident doing that. And another week or two before he felt confident enough to roam around the room (once it was hamster proofed, of course).

What I found to be absolutely key was lighting -- he simply refused to emerge if the lights were on (which made monitoring him tricky). He'd tolerate very dim light, like the light from my laptop screen, but that's about it. It was about a month before he'd come out and play around his cage when the lights were on.

However to this day he refuses to get on his wheel if any lights are on. So if I accidentally fall asleep with a lamp on, he will go all night without running on his wheel.

(If this turns out to be the case with yours, I read somewhere that red light doesn't bother them. I now have some red LED Christmas lights hanging above his play area, and he seems to tolerate those just fine.)

Also keep in mind that hamsters are essentially blind - they navigate by smell, sound, and touch. Mine is totally comfortable with me now (although he'll probably never be hand-tamed), but he still doesn't respond to my voice. He knows me by my smell -- so if he's in his nest and I'm trying to get him to come out, I'll gently blow in the entrance. So maybe try doing something like that to help him get used to your scent.

__

Regarding his cage/play pen --

Hamsters are like any other pet in that they each have their own distinct little personalities and quirks. For example, mine hates those igloo things and hates wicker (but other dwarves seem totally content with theirs!) So he might not like the hideout you've given him, and is finding it difficult to relax.

I'd try placing more hideouts in his play pen to see what he likes. You don't have to go out and spend a bunch of money. For example, we finally figured out that mine loves his hideouts to be dark and low -- so like one of those smaller kleenex boxes cut down with a little hole for an entrance. One of his favorite nests was when we cut a hole in a clean cardboard sandwich box from Arby's! Then he likes to stuff the entrance with bedding, to the point where you wonder how he manages to get in or out. He likes this one a lot, but won't really go in the top half.

You'll also eventually want to replace that wheel. This one is pretty popular - I have it and mine loves it. I've seen others on here recommend it as well. This one is also popular. Giving him a good wheel is pretty essential. It's how they exercise and run off all their excess energy, which is key to managing stress. (To check if he's using his wheel, place a seed or something on top of it. If it's still there in the morning, you'll know he's not using it.)

You can also give him stuff to make his play area more interesting, which might entice him out a bit more. Again, it doesn't mean you have to go spend a bunch of money. The tubes from empty paper towel or toilet rolls make perfectly fine tunnels. Things for him to climb over or through or under. If you have some extra boxes lying around, you can make him a cardboard maze. More/deeper bedding to dig through. Things like that. Lots of it he'll probably ignore, but eventually you'll start to get a sense of what he likes and doesn't like.

"Hide" seeds or treats around for him to find. Hide seeds in his bedding, or maybe put bit of broccoli or apple in one of the tubes. Mine likes when I put seeds in the back of an empty cereal box. Find out what treats he likes. Mine is a pretty picky eater as it turns out, but lately he's been crazy about snow peas and likes to pull them out of their shell. So at night I'll open them half way up and place them around so he can hunt them down and tug them out.

Another piece of advice I don't see given very often is to try to have two water bottles. I know someone who's hamster's water bottle broke or got jammed or something and they didn't realize it. The hamster ended up being ok, but they had no idea he had been unable to drink and felt pretty terrible about it. I use ones like this since I don't have cage bars to hang one on.

1. Do they NEED it? Eh, maybe not. Will they probably want it at some point, I wouldn't be surprised! You're fine for now, but in the long term, I'd recommend if you can, 1) the sputnick/space pod - fairly inexpensive and beloved by rats EVERYWHERE; and 2) making some more hammocks. It sounds like you're planning on using fleece, and it's really easy to make no-sew hammocks. Since the bra-mock is gonna get peed (they will all get peed on), you'll probably want a few more so that you can rotate them in and out.
   
   
2. Rats are pretty good about monitoring their own eating habits. They also like to stash it away, so it can be difficult always to tell exactly how much they've eaten vs hidden. My 2 girls get a ~full bowl (which is a heaping 1/4 cup scoop that I use for their food) between the two of them daily. Some days they finish it all, some days theres a bit left. Often I'll dump some food out when I empty their box (cause they like to eat where they poop). Also, its too many treats if they either start to gain weight or if they eat less of their food because they are full/to accustomed to treats and thus loose nutrition. Overall, you want to use moderation. Some treats you can be more free with than others; baby puffs are popular as training treats because I guess they are low-calorie (and presumably low in sugar) so you can give a fair amount of them. I've never used them, but I've read it several times.
   
   
3. Binder clips are popular across the board, but the answer to this question will depend a bit on what kind of cage you're using.
   
   
4. I would say, regardless of the amount of time that has passed, follow their lead. If on day 1, they seem interested in you and will sniff your hand or even climb onto it, full steam ahead! And if you have a convenient place to let them run where you can be sure they won't get away, go for it. But if say on day 4, they're still don't seem to want to take a treat from you, just keep at it and you can look up some stuff about trust training timid rats, and spend a lot of time around them/their cage regardless. Since they are coming from the breeder as you said, they are probably going to be a bit more similar to the first example than the second. Either way, go slow, use food to get to their hearts, and don't be discouraged.
   
   
5. As long as they get their out time and have toys/things to explore and play with wherever they get it, they should be fine without free run of a room. I would mainly say that whatever room they are in, you'll want "rat proofed" to the degree that in the event someone escapes from the bed (or wherever), there isn't anywhere they could get to that would be an instance emergency (like an open door to the rest of the apartment or a hole in the floor to a crawl space, etc).
   
   
6. Well, for starters, they likely wouldn't forget you any more from being handled by another individual in your absence than they would without the handling. That being said, they also won't forget you over that time span regardless of being handled or not. Overall, they will be much happier the more they are handled so that is the goal! That's always the goal.
   
   
7. Play it by ear. I've never had boys, only girls, who still pee everywhere but not quite as much. If it seems smelly, try cleaning it off and if it still seems smelly, toss it. It's possible they just won't ever pee on it, or its possible it will be their favorite thing to pee on and have to be replaced constantly.
   
   
8. For the same reason you are asking about changing out the wooden toys, I would avoid having a permanent wooden fixture of any kind in the cage. At least not one that you aren't okay with tossing after some period of time. For something in the cage, I'd recommend sticking with a plastic container or cardboard that will get thrown away when the cage gets cleaned. It's not too uncommon for people to make dig boxes with shredded paper or cardboard or fleece for their rats, which is basically what this sounds like. If you like the wooden box you are planning on using, I'd say save it for out time and do that same thing. Or fill it with like... misc wooden blocks or whicker balls or some people use pingpong balls (but they get chewed up), and have a little ball pit thing.
   
   Sorry for the length! I get a bit wordy with my answers!

Just gonna copy/paste a comment I recently made on a similar subject, with unnecessary parts edited out and a few things added:

I would suggest getting at least one friend for her but preferably 2. And you'll want to get rats of the same gender, unless you want lots of babies. Having 3 rats is very helpful if something happens and you lose a rat. It helps the remaining rats if they can cope with the loss of a buddy together and may lessen the chances of them getting overly depressed. And in most situations, the more rats you have, the happier they will be. They're highly social and tend to like having a bigger family.

If you're getting food at the store, stay away from seed mix type foods such as this. It's not healthy for them, and the dried corn in it can cause liver cancer. I'd recommend a block/kibble type rat food such as Oxbow. You can even buy the adult formula of Oxbow and just supplement with extra protein once or twice a week until around 6 months old; and, in general, most rats don't seem to like the Garden Select or the young rat variety, so keep that in mind too. You'll want to give them fresh veggies regularly and fruits as a treat (as too much fruit can cause runny poops.) I like referring to this guide when introducing new foods as some foods are very dangerous for rats, and some are only dangerous for a specific gender.

When getting a cage (NOT an aquarium) make sure you get 1/2" bar spacing to avoid escapes. And you can use this handy cage calculator to make sure your cage will be big enough. Some cages sold as rat cages are not actually big enough for adults to comfortably live and stretch out in. If you use a loose substrate bedding, stay away from cedar or pine (unless it's kiln dried pine) though kiln dried aspen tends to be the most recommended wood shaving bedding. Some people use recycled paper bedding, though it isn't as good at absorbing smells as the aspen or pine. If you use fleece, you'll need to change it more frequently than a loose substrate but it's much less messy, though terrible for controlling odor. I personally do a mix of both, loose bedding in the bottom of the cage and fleece lining the rest of the shelves.

You'll also want to consider getting a litter pan to litter train them, and use a different type of litter in the pan so they associate it with a bathroom area. I personally like using critter litter by Kaytee. Also, find a smooth flat rock to keep in the litter pan. For some reason rats like peeing on rocks.

You'll want to make sure to have enough hides, hammocks, etc for each rat to have their own if they aren't feeling like being cuddled up or just need a break from the other rats. Space pods are highly loved by most rats. I have 2 in my cage, one on each level. Cardboard boxes are a big hit as well. I buy cheap boxes of Kleenex and just shove the whole thing in the cage (after removing the plastic stuff around the opening.) They love "decorating" their cage with it, and they can use the box as another hide when they're done. PVC is also a big hit with a lot of rats. You can make little tunnels for them to hide or play in and some people even drill holes in them (for ventilation and) to suspend them from the roof of the cage to help change it up a little.

Also, you'll want to spot clean/pick up stray poops throughout the week until cage cleaning day comes. After the cage is clean (leaving 1-2 "dirty" things in their cage to prevent over cleaning, thus leading to over marking after you spent all that time cleaning) I suggest completely rearranging their cage each time. It keeps their minds stimulated and makes them highly interested in exploring their "new" home week after week. It's especially fun for them if you hide treats throughout the cage for them to find. For a cleaner, I use a vinegar/water (25% vinegar, 75% water) solution as it disinfects and deodorizes very well and the rats aren't sensitive to it like some cage cleaners. I also put about half a cup in with their laundry when I wash it. You'll want to use free and clear detergent (no dyes/perfumes) like this. I don't use fabric softeners or dryer sheets either.

Lastly, you'll want to keep an emergency vet budget set aside. Rats don't need routine visits like a dog necessarily, but there is a high chance your rats will need to go to the vet at some point during their lives. They have a very delicate immune system and URIs are very common, as well as myco flareups, as almost all rats carry myco. You can read the article linked in the sidebar for more info on that. And in my experience, it tends to be emergency/short notice needs for the vet. Rats are prey animals and will hide an illness until they are no longer capable of hiding it, and by then they are usually pretty sick. Prices vary from area to area, but where I am, I expect to spend around $60-90 for a visit, including medications; from what I've read on here though, I'm on the lower end of the price range and some people easily spend double that.

Sorry this got a lot longer than I had expected it to, and if you read it all, thank you. If you have any questions, this sub is a great place and has a lot of great and very helpful people here. Good luck with your future babies.

Hi there. Congratulations on your new boys! I love Rex rats! I've been a ratty mom for over 12 years. I currently have 3 males, all dumbos, one of which is a Rex. The best advice I can give is to make sure to socialize your new babies and let them get used to you, your environment, as well as each other. (I'm glad to hear you got more than one!) Pouches are a great start for that, so you are definitely on the right track. I love playing around and interacting with my boys, but I also make sure to sit back and let them explore on their own, too.

Having a good cage is crucial. I recently got space pods and they love them! Having it be plastic instead of fabric cuts down on smell, too. I always make sure they have a bunch of things to chew on and play with. Make sure they have good bedding as well. I use recycled newspaper and crinkle paper.

Diet plays a big role. I feed my guys mostly Mazuri blocks and Oxbow with some vegetables (they love broccoli and frozen peas). I try to stay cognizant of treats, since they're mostly sugar and fat. (Males are prone to weight gain, so you gotta watch out.) Fruits work really well as a treat for training.

If you have any questions as you guys get adjusted, feel free to PM me.

(Also, sorry all the hyperlinks are to Amazon haha. It's what Google pulls up.)

Congratulations again :)

Your house is probably already full of rat toys galore!
Wood chews are really popular and help with dental care. You can get them in the small animal and/or bird section. I bought some beads at Amazon for $3 and my girls love to chew them up. They sell them in fun shapes and sizes--stuff like letter blocks or vegetables. So cute to see a rat running around with a wood chew in her mouth, especially when it's shaped like a stalk of broccoli. Give your girl(s) at least a couple of places to hide and nap! Check the pet store for plastic igloos (get the medium-sized one, or if you get a bigger cage, get the guinea pig one) or even a space pod to hang from the cage ceiling. You can also make fabric hammocks for them to lie in. It's adorable!!!

In addition to lab blocks for feeding (the Kaytee is in my opinion not good; I'd feed until it runs out, then switch to Oxbow), be sure to supplement your girl's diet with fresh veggies! Here is a good list of safe foods. Give fatty foods like nuts in moderation. Dark, leafy greens are a must! At first, your little one will be wary of new stuff, so be persistent in presenting it to her. She'll soon be eating everything in sight. :) Oh! Rarely, as in maaaybe once a month, you can give your rats a cooked chicken bone. (Assuming you eat meat; sorry for assuming!) They love it and it is good for their little teeth.

Was your girl alone in the cage at the pet store, or did she have some siblings with her? If you decide to bring another girl home, have another cage ready. The one you have is pretty small! If you're going to upgrade, this one is a good starter house for two rats. While you're going through the introductions for the new girl and the old girl, keep them separate. You can keep your little cage as a hospital cage once the girls are integrated, or use it as a travel cage for vet visits. If you have a bigger budget and space for a bigger cage, you can look for Critter Nation (if you're in the U.S.) or Savic Suite (outside U.S.) Martin's cages are great too. I got my Critter Nation from Craigslist for very cheap, so look out for deals secondhand. Just sterilize the cages you buy secondhand with a bleach/water solution and rinse it thoroughly, and you should be good. :)

Phew! Sorry if that's a lot of information! To answer your question, you got a fancy rat. Her coloring is called "black hooded." She's beautiful! Get her a sister and you'll have two beautiful little brats to spoil. Good luck. :D

Very cute. But. Unless you have a roomful of those cages, you should really look into getting something bigger. The one in the background looks to be about 3 feet by 14 inches, which doesn't provide adequate space for a single piggy. Not at all a judgement. But 2 guinea pigs (I think I can see a second one in the background) should have 11 square feet of cage to share (16 will make them happier). It seems like a lot but it isn't with the right cages.

These are super cheap $32 a piece , and they attach to eachother easily and are 8 square feet each. Also free shipping, and for the time being no tax. http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Homes-for-Pets-171GH/dp/B001NJ0DPY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1373434177&sr=8-2&keywords=guinea+pig+cage (assuming you are in the States of Unitedness, not sure if other countries tax Internet purchases)

Most cages pet stores sell (as seen in the background) are really for hamsters, but they market them for chinchillas and G-pigs cause they know people will just trust what the box says.
Here's a good site for overall info:
http://www.cavyspirit.com/

In case you take this the wrong way, just think, "did I get these lovely animals for my entertainment without regard for their optimal happiness, or do I hold myself responsible to give them the best life I can provide?"

Now if by chance there is an amazing network of these cages that can't be seen in the background, I replace the previous paragraphs of potential pretentiousness with a high five and a request for a gallery of your cage setup.

Love her color makes her look like a teeny Syrian! She’s a dwarf so I don’t think I need to say anything about a wheel just don’t go super tiny. Make sure she has a proper size cage. Big cages are the best make sure its atleast 24” length 12” width and 12” height. Clear bins are good for you too see her I’d recommend! Cut holes in her lit so she can breath and can’t escape, either cut 60+ half an inch holes or cut a big square off the lid (if you have a cat or curious dog do the hole lid) do not use pine or cedar bedding. Any paper bedding is good I recommend carefresh (Cheaper on Amazon) do not use mesh wheels!!! Your ham will get hurt and get bumble feet not good. No bathing in water. It’s not necessary but it’s highly recommend to get sand for your hamster to bathe in, she’ll either roll around in it herself or you can hold her and give her a sand bath. I like most plastic wheels, wouldn’t recommend wooden wheels for a dwarf since my friend has a wooden wheel for her ham and he can’t even move it so she had to pay for a plastic one. Chews are good for her teeth so they don’t grow too long. Clip her nails if you can, if you can’t go to a vet when you notice them getting long. Plastic tubes and empty paper tubes are good boredom breakers. Clean the cage fully once a month with a one part water one part vinegar solution and change the bedding monthly. Lastly a hideout so she can scurry away. I’ll leave some links, good luck!


hamster care video

bin cage tutorial

If she’s not tame here’s a taming vid

hamster dont’s

bedding

chews


sand

hideout

boredom breaker/hideout

wheel

bin for bin cage

mesh top for bin cage

zip ties for bin cage

tube

When I boarded my girl rats at Andy's all four of them fit fine in that cage. Some stuff I'd recommend are get tons of Lava ledges so they can have different heights in the cage. They have Big ones and Small ones. The small ones are only available online now I think. My girls love to hop from one to another plus it will help file down their nails and teeth. I currently have 10 big ones and 8 small ones in my 2 cages. A hammock is great but you can also put a space pod in there too as another place to sleep or chill. I just got one for my girls but I'm waiting for a hammock to be chewed down before putting it in there. I also got The Bandit Bridge and my girls love that too. I mainly use it as a safety net in case they fall off one of the ledges. I'd rather have them land on a soft thing than the igloo or hard cage bottom. Basically I'm cutting the fall in half.


Also if you still want to get another cage I recommend The Rat Manor I have it and my girls LOVE it! It's big enough for 4 rats so 3 would fit perfectly plus it has a metal bottom so they can't chew holes in it. Other than that you seem to be on the right track. Just spend a lot of time with them and get them used to you kinda like a re-introduction to humans and they should turn out fine. They may have been scared of the kids and all the noise but it sounds like they should perk up to you in no time after they get used to their new surroundings. Good luck and keep us posted!

Re: houses and toys.

If you have a Joann's craft store in your area, just wait till they have a sale on anti-pill fleece (they have them like 75% of the year) and buy some cute colors you like. You can also buy the fleece online on the Joann's website. You can use fleece to line the bottom of the cage and you can also make it into hammocks and other fun items. Fleece is great because it's cheap and doesn't need to be sewn at all (it won't come apart in the wash either). I have a couple "real" beds that I bought, then I supplement the cage with pouches or random fabric scraps or other fun things made out of fleece. For example, if the ladies are small you can fill a tissue box with fleece scraps (or newspaper scraps). Other good things to buy are clips, ribbon, and paracord.

As for houses that fit lots of rats, I've had great luck with this pirate ship meant for ferrets. Ferret stuff in general is pretty big so the beds make a good "home base" for a big rat family. Just be sure to wash houses like that pretty regularly because the funny shape makes them hard to clean if they get really icky.

You can also buy PVC pipes from a hardware store to use as tubing for them to play and hide in.

There are also reasonably priced hammock/house sets on Etsy that I recommend if you can't sew yourself. One set seems expensive but you get so many pieces out of it and you're supporting everyday crafty people! That link is just one example of many vendors that specialize in that kind of thing.

For potty training, your best option is to put makeshift litter boxes in all 4 corners of the cage. I used shallow cheap tupperware containers, cut slits in them with scissors, and zip tied them to the walls of the cage so they couldn't be spilled (total cost <$10). Move poops into those containers until the rats are in the habit of always using a corner of the cage. Then get rid of the 2 or 3 least popular ones and upgrade the most popular one to a big litterbox. (This worked great for my first boys, but unfortunately my new babies are trouble makers and really love to just throw the litter all over the place so I have to pray that they figure out the one corner box eventually.)

As other people have said, ferret cages might have spaced big enough for smaller rats to escape.

I would definitely advise getting a Critter Nation cage: http://www.dog.com/item/critter-nation-small-animal-cage-single-unit/650231/?srccode=GPDOG&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&scid=scplp9000136&gclid=CjwKEAjwu6a5BRC53sW0w9677RcSJABoFn4sXRfeqmFuLS7H4CZT3h2S5W9aCENq2GcHJ_-XIfSsxhoCNhbw_wcB
Google it and go to shopping results. That's how I got mine for the low low price of $112, and that was including shipping! It's a great investment.

Pretty much anything you need for your boys you can get online: lab blocks, hammocks, chews, toys, litter boxes, etc.

I have three boys. They're not that smelly, honestly. They smell a little sweet sometimes, like cheerios and faint pee.

They're litter box trained, but occasionally miss or whiz outside their box. These are the boxes I have: https://jet.com/product/detail/fa77c55e49b84b21ad3482352a86bba8?jcmp=pla:ggl:gen_animals_pet_supplies_a3:pet_supplies_cat_supplies_cat_litter_boxes_a3_other:na:na:na:na:na:2&code=PLA15&ds_c=gen_animals_pet_supplies_a3&ds_cid&ds_ag=pet_supplies_cat_supplies_cat_litter_boxes_a3_other&product_id=fa77c55e49b84b21ad3482352a86bba8&product_partition_id=161833679820&gclid=CjwKEAjwu6a5BRC53sW0w9677RcSJABoFn4snBzuFx8FUS2MnG0nvpNFwX7W3F7WqPO-I91Zrx3ygBoC62Pw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
The messiest things they do are leaving lab block crumbs everywhere, missing the litter box, or chewing up a towel or napkin they got a hold of. Occasionally poops/litter fall out of the cage, especially when you clean it.

I have my cage floor covered in an old towel, with fleece on top. A couple of times a week I sweep out crumbs/chewed up mess/ stray poops with a mini broom and dustpan. If you're lazy, use a vacuum cleaner.

For full cleans, I vacuum the floor fleece, all their hideouts and hammocks, and their scraps of loose fleece they use for blankets to clean up loose mess. Then pick up the towels and fleece, shake em out like a rug outside if they're still dirty, and throw em in the washer. Wipe down the cage surfaces with baby wipes or pet cleaner. Lay down another towel-fleece later for another week or week and a half, and repeat.

Be sure to supply plenty of hideaways, hammocks, boxes, space pods (http://www.amazon.com/Lixit-Critter-Space-Pod-Large/dp/B002X2NBNQ)
etc. for them to sleep/cuddle/hide in.

Good treats are (most) fruits, non-sugary cereals like cheerios, nuts, pasta, pretty much anything you'd consider "healthy and natural". Occasional FrootLoops or dollops of ice cream won't hurt them either. I pretty much always share whatever I'm eating with those cute little faces.

As mentioned before, lab blocks are what you should feed ideally. They're specially formulated to have the perfect percentage of each amino acid and the right amount of fiber, etc. Plus lab blocks make their poops almost odorless! I use Harlan Teklad (also known as Native Earth, apparently) 2016 formula, which I get from "The Crafty Rat" online store: https://www.thecraftyrat.com
It's pretty cheap since you can buy in bulk, and each 5 lb bag lasts a month or more.

Of course always have water in bottles available. I get the big 30 Oz critter sipper bottles from Walmart. Make sure to hang up a couple in their cage in case one leaks all out or gets clogged.

Lab blocks should keep their teeth worn down, but you can give them cardboard, wooden bird toys, lava ledges, or even deer antler to chew on. Mine pretty much never chew anything, but they love this and literally chew it to pieces: http://www.petswarehouse.com/8-in-1-wild-harvest-chewable-log-small/?gclid=CjwKEAjwu6a5BRC53sW0w9677RcSJABoFn4sQZZwP2wwvkg7wnxX5FVDadNP4EDvK9dXv3l505RAuRoC5cjw_wcB

Hiya! Stacked bins won’t do her much good, especially if she is a chewer, Syrians are notorious for chewing through bin cages. I highly recommend switching to a detolf if you have the space, they are about 5 foot long and 16 inches wide by 16 inches tall. I had my male Syrian in a 40 gallon breeder and he was so bored even with all the toys he had. It was as if he had no real reason to walk around. Now, the length of his detolf makes him so much more active. I highly recommend you refrain from the plastic tunnel since your girl is a biter. If you have a play pen and supervise her it will be safe, just don’t leave it unsupervised in her cage.

As for toys, I highly recommend puzzle toys, boredom’s breakers, anything that can hold treats (wicker balls are great examples. Just stuff them with a few sunflower seeds and she will be entertained for hours. Here are some toys I have for my male Syrian along with a YouTube link to some easy DIY boredom breakers.

https://youtu.be/qAi-lcrI5Yw (the corrugated cardboard will come with an Ikea (or target) cube base to put the detolf on, so win win.

Hamster Toys,Wooden Scaling Ladder Rainbow Seesaw Swing Hanging Ladder Bridge for Hamsters,Fun Play Toy for Pet (Pack of 2) (Hamster Toy) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTS1YID/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_kteEDbYHHSN5B

Habitrail OVO Tree House Carboad Hamster Maze https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XG0DJO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LteEDb62DJMXZ

Hkim Hamster Maze, Meago Natural Wood Toy with Acrylic Cover Dwarf Mouse Cage Tubes Gerbil Maze for Small Furry Animals (Wood Maze) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0773LKHSD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xueEDbD9YMDGW

(I have this for my Syrian because he is super slim. If your girl is chonky don’t buy it)
Dwarf Hamster House Durable Odorless Non-Toxic Deluxe Two Layers Wooden Hut for Hamster Toys Hamster House Natural Living Wooden Castle, Small Animal Playground Chew Toy (1castle Set) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G73GF5B/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_yveEDb6G58466

Sleep 'n' Play Cheese - Hamster & Small Animal Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008J2CRAC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_CweEDb56C14E5

(Put a small pile of hay in this and she will go nuts) Kaytee Nut Knot Knibbler https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002DJEYI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_lxeEDbY2X1JX1

Hamster Toys,Wooden Scaling Ladder Rainbow Seesaw Swing Hanging Ladder Bridge for Hamsters,Fun Play Toy for Small Animals https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078C6MDW3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WAeEDbQC5WKTV

Kaytee Carousel Chew Toy Carrot, Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BV0W9M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_kBeEDbABER5SH

TeDUnaxxme Toy Cute Small Animal Pet Hamster Sleeping House Cabin Cage Ladder Nest Castle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T9XLRR6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OBeEDb5PNMB46

I think a lot of things are kind of up to your rat's preference. I wouldn't bother buying a wheel unless you knew they loved it because most rats don't care about running on wheels. I'd invest in a Sputnik because it's universally loved by rats. https://www.amazon.com/Lixit-Critter-Space-Pod-Large/dp/B002X2NBNQ You'll need some sort of bedding. I've put fleece covers down and litter box trained my rats. I tried all sorts of bedding but I really ended up liking Aspen shavings (which is the only safe wood for rats because the others give off scents that irritate their breathing). PVC pipe joints are good for them to run through and hide. http://www.allrightmachinery.com/pvc/pipe-fitting2.jpg My rats like Lava ledges to climb on and this helps wear down their claw without clipping. https://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Lava-Ledge-Assorted-Colors/dp/B00176F466 Also put some bricks near their water/food bowl to help whittle their nails down too. Binder clips and safety pins are your friends for hanging things. A ton of my stuff is from the dollar store so I can just throw it away when it gets really disgusting/torn up. And plenty of soft fleece pieces/fabric scraps for them to snuggle and nest in. Save any cardboard boxes you can because they love playing in them.

Sure! Here is a crappy webcam picture of the rabbit room: http://imgur.com/bp8Gaj8 Apologies for the mess; Sunday is the day I usually clean the bunny room and I haven't done it yet this evening. You can see Scout, the black bun, in her x-pen (the x-pen is kind of in the middle room so there are other toys/another litterbox for Rory and Cyril on the other side) and Rory, the broken bun, hanging out on the right. The cage running along the back is the guinea pig cage. It is two of these attached to each other in a straight line: http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Homes-for-Pets-171GH/dp/B001NJ0DPY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425870229&sr=8-1&keywords=midwest+guinea+pig+cage (Cyril is in the living room and didn't make the photo.) There is a cat tunnel running between the x-pen and the guinea pig cage.

In terms of what is different: it's just basically the level of time, attention, and care that the rabbits need versus the guinea pigs. So, for example, both guinea pigs need unlimited grass hay. Nominally, then, that is the same. But my bunnies are SUPER picky and will go through the hay and pull out all the bits they don't like and put it in the litterbox and pee in. My guinea pigs just eat their damn hay. So the guinea pigs maybe need their hay refilled once or twice a day. For my rabbits, keeping hay in their hay racks is basically a full time job (and we have lots of big hay racks; we're not shy in that department). The level of exercise and interaction they need is a lot greater. Their capacity for destruction is MUCH greater-- the worst thing my guineas have ever done is pee on my lap (rabbits don't do that, though, which is nice, haha). They need more toys and more toy rotation so they don't get bored and tear up the carpets. And, so far, my experience is that their medical needs have been higher. My guinea pigs are five and have been to the vet for a single sebacious cyst + routine check ups, whereas my buns have had to go to the vet quite a few times in a shorter period of time, so having an emergency vet fund is definitely a really good idea (it's a good idea anyways, but even more important).

It's more work, more money, and a lot easier to let buns take over your life.

I hope this doesn't sound really discouraging-- I can't even imagine my life without bunnies anymore. You get a huge amount of love from them. There is nothing better than having a bunny hop on the bed and sit on your chest to watch Netflix with you. They follow you everywhere. And they are so interactive and full of personality.

If I am scaring you too much: One option that may be available to you depending on where you live is to foster for a rabbit rescue, which will give you a much better sense of what life with bunnies is like, with an easy out if it is too much.

...bunnies are really great, though.

I ain't birthed no babies! Which is totally true :) Congratulations to you and your sister-in-law!!

This makes me feel happy because I just love the idea of having a safe place for my soon-to-be fuzzbutt to call home (husband says we have to wait to get her until next month). But it never hurts to be prepared ;3

A book suggestion I have for you is The Host because it's actually not bad, and it was a pleasant surprise when I read it. Happy Birfday :D :D :D

I know others have said this but the wire floor is bad for their feet which is probably why he doent leave much. It sounds like he is depressed. Does he have a friend? It is a myth that boys cant live together. If you wanted to get him a friend all you really have to do is get a baby and make sure they have a cage that fits the minimum (8sq feet) the midwest cage is great for this. I will leave a link to it.

https://www.amazon.com/Guinea-Habitat-Cage-MidWest-Inches/dp/B001NJ0DPY

Also look up c and c cages these are also great.

Hope that helps.
Also I agree with others that guinea pigs need alot of space but it is all ground level space one level is best .

You mention her previous home was not caring well for her, so I'm just going to say right away that the situation you have her in does not sound any better. Absolutely do not keep her outside in the winter, since that does not sound like a safe or sustained temperature environment. It is way too risky. Guinea pigs as pets are generally indoor animals, so I'm curious why she wasn't living inside to begin with. An outdoor space can work so long as the enclosure is closed off, protected from weather and you can maintain the temperature at around 65-75 degrees. Much higher or lower and you risk death. A reasonably sized indoor cage (such as this Midwest Habitat, anything much smaller than this is highly discouraged) is relatively inexpensive. Furnish it with your choice of bedding (I personally recommend fleece), a hidey house or two, a food dish, hay rack and a water bottle (keep in mind she may not drink from it consistently, more on this in the next paragraph). Any working individual should be able to reasonably afford this.
   

   

Concerning food, does she have anything else besides the one carrot per day? Guinea pigs should have a constant supply of hay (usually timothy hay if they're adults), pellet food (preferably with vitamin c as they do not naturally produce it) and water, either in the form of a bottle or fresh vegetables at the very least. Ideally they also have about half a cup of fresh vegetables per day, minimum. Romaine or Green Leaf lettuce is most commonly used to fulfill this requirement, along with green bell peppers (high in vitamin c and ample source of water). Avoid Iceberg lettuce as it is mostly water and has very little nutrional value for them.
   

   

She's likely shy because the previous owner(s) did not interact with her much, and again by your own description, you aren't really doing this either if your only daily interaction is giving her a carrot. Moving her to a more cozy indoor space where she is around and can see people would be a great quality of life improvement for her by itself. Not to mention this would make interacting with her much easier and more convenient compared to her being alone outside. One thing I will say here is that often times guinea pigs are not like dogs and cats in that they will usually warm up to you relatively quickly. In fact the warming up process could take months or even a year+ in some cases, so be mindful of this. However, from my own experiences, the more often you interact with them, the quicker this process is. Start off simple by offering food directly from your hand until she feels comfortable enough to come and take it from you consistently and go from there.
   

   

As someone else pointed out, guinea pigs generally do better in pairs. Look into getting her a friend (of the same sex) and read up on bonding techniques. Financially, this is a relatively negligible difference compared to only having one.
   

   

Lastly, here are a couple of links with practically everything you need to know in regards to guinea pig care, check the sidebars on the left for various topics:
   

   

http://guinealynx.info/healthycavy.html

https://www.cavyspirit.com/

LA Guinea Pig Rescue on Youtube (check the playlist tab for a more categorized version)

If you don't have a space pod yet, that's a loved toy by rats.
http://www.amazon.com/Lixit-Critter-Space-Pod-Large/dp/B002X2NBNQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1456948317&sr=8-2&keywords=space+pod

My rats love to chew, so I get them a box of kid's wood blocks. I make sure that they are non-toxic. http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-100-Piece-Wood-Blocks/dp/B000068CKY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1456948355&sr=8-3&keywords=wood+blocks

This is from ebay because it's vintage... but my rats love this ark, and it's fairly easy to clean as it unscrews.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Little-Tikes-Toddle-Tots-Noahs-Ark-Elephant-Giraffe-Sheep-Cow-Noah-Mrs-/182035576604?hash=item2a622a771c:g:fKIAAOSw5dNWhT6u

We got our "crate" at a garage sale. Fairly easy to clean and a favorite hide.
http://www.amazon.com/Battat-68029AM-Dalmatian-Vet-15-Piece/dp/B000BKGM1K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456948605&sr=8-1&keywords=toy+dog+crate

Orb of Solitude - Usually only one rat can fit inside at a time. We've never had a problem with a rat getting stuck. They seem to know when they've outgrown the small holes, but do keep an eye on them. http://www.amazon.com/Rhino-Toys-Oball-Colors-Vary/dp/B000ETREBK/ref=pd_sim_21_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=51gJTFCLf3L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=11DD9ESJMT8P92RTW2RQ

I bought a lot of it off zooplus but you can find pretty much all of it on Amazon! Here's the links:

Carrot treat holder/boredom breaker


Hanging boredom breaker


Boredom breaker net


Wooden stairs/platform - this one isnt exactly the same as the one I have but very close


Wooden bridge #1


Wooden bridge #2


Grass mat


Bird perches or lava ledges, whichever your prefer.


Wooden cabin #1


Wooden cabin #2


Wooden cabin #3


Hanging bridge/ladder


Boredom breaker garland


Silver and pink sputniks but they seem to be unavailable at the moment - keep checking back


Pink and purple sputniks on zooplus


The triple purple/pink hammock I made myself with some fleece and cotton. If you search "diy honeycomb hammock", you'll find lots of easy tutorials on how to make them! It's definitely a bit too small, it was my first attempt. Go bigger than you think you should is my advice lol


This is the fleece I use as bedding


And this


Anytime I get new fabrics, I wash them, dry them, then freeze them for 24-48 hours. I also freeze any new wooden toys, products etc. Prevents a mites problem!


Sputniks are a bit hard to find on amazon, they only come in the smaller sizes it seems like. Zooplus only ships across the EU but Im sending the link anyway in case youre in Europe!


Also it took me around 4 months to build up a collection of this stuff, dont feel pressured to make your cage look pretty or to have lots of stuff all at once! All that matters is your ratties have what they need, and then you can build up from there :)

I would line the floor pans with more fleece. One layer will be fine if they aren't heavy chewers. This gives them extra cushion on their feet and makes the whole cage a cozy place to nap.

If you do this, I'd also suggest a slab of some sort. I use countertop samples, but slabs of granite etc. are easy to purchase at a Home Depot or other DIY type store. This will provide a solid, cool surface to lounge on as well as keep the fleece anchored in that corner.

Tunnels! My ratties love their plastic, pvc, and cardboard tunnels. An alternative would be to use an empty tube of Quaker oats and punch out the bottom. Just throw them away after a few days to avoid grossness.

Scrap the wheel. If you can, try to get a solid plastic wheel without any wire. The wire wheels can catch their toes, tails, etc. They're also harsh on the bottoms of their feet.

Hammocks and hanging fleece tubes of all kinds are highly recommended. To name a few:

Pirate Hammock - $14.32

Pyramid Hammock - $10.21

Simple Hanging Tunnel - $7.00

Parrot toys and ladders also work well, just be sure they aren't made of pine. Pine is toxic to rats. Other types of "Soft Wood" are also harmful (softwood trees are cedar, Douglas fir, juniper, pine, redwood, spruce, and yew). Products and tree branches made of these are not safe to use in the cage.

Especially for young rats, it's important to let them climb. A thick rope, such as this parrot perch are excellent climbing toys. The clips attach firmly to any wall of the cage.

You can get as creative or as simple as you like!

See also: "The Grotto"

Sorry about the creeping - I was mainly looking at your user history to see if you have ever posted anything about your gerbil before. I thought I might be able to give you better advice if I knew more about her.
What kind of houses to you give her that she chews up overnight? This is what my gerbils house looked like after about You could get her a house made out of hard wood or a coconut shell. My gerbils love both to hang out. I've also seen people use a flower pot with a hole. You'd also have to supply her with something to actually built a nest. Plain, unscented toilet paper would be good enough. She'll shred it and built her nest out of it.
You can also give her sticks you find outside to chew on. If you want to, I could try explaining how to make sure they are safe and mite-free. The safest way, however, would be to buy sticks like these, even though they are sort of expensive.

I would really recommend more bedding so she can burrow.

Yeah mine take quite a while to accept something new then they like it. A fabric tunnel with a hole in the middle or hammocks mostly rats like them.

Mine also like sputniks.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Savic-Sputnik-Hanging-House-26X19cm/dp/B0037XQ8X0

It's funny though, it depends where they are in the cage.

My hammocks I sew a square of fleece on teh top to make a roof. They like that. I think for a quick cheap thing though cardboard boxes are fun for rats.

Im not sure if I can see or not but I would like to suggest hammocks! Rats looove to be bundled up in a small space like in a hammock or a hangy thing.. Kinda like this http://www.amazon.com/Lixit-Critter-Space-Pod-Large/dp/B002X2NBNQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1394481573&sr=8-2&keywords=rat+hammock they seem to love those space pod things xD. Seriously awesome cage though! I'm jealous!!

The cost of a C&C cage can vary a whole lot depending on where you get your materials. Some places, sign stores will sell a lot of Coroplast for next to nothing, other places charge way more. A pre-cut C&C kit from guineapigzone, for example, might cost $80-$100 depending on size, and includes everything needed, including the coroplast already cut and scored appropriately, all the grids, connectors and zip ties. Other people have said they've gotten all the materials for under $30 total.

If you do want a pre-made cage, the Midwest Guinea Pig Habitat is about as good and cost-effective as it gets: http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-171GH-Interactive-Guinea-Habitat/dp/B001NJ0DPY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1237496903&sr=8-2

That Midwest cage is between a 2x3 and 2x4 in terms of C&C dimensions, so it's good for one or two piggies. It's $35 on Amazon, which is a pretty good deal, considering pet stores generally have way smaller cages for way more money.

I bought one of those pre-cut C&C kits for a 2x4 cage with a 2x1 loft and ramp. Personally, I think it was worth the extra cost because I didn't have to measure or cut anything, just put it together, which took about half an hour. It's been a very nice and reliable cage so far, and I highly recommend C&C. But if you want the convenience of a brand-name cage, the Midwest is pretty much the only way to go.

Here's some links to products I mentioned and products my pigs like:

Small Pet Select Timothy Hay Pet Food, 10-Pound https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ID70IEU/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_tr8Eub1AJRAQ7

Ware Hand Woven Willow Twig Tunnel Small Pet Hideout, Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002H3BLCY/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_-s8Eub0ETWT7J

Kaytee Forti Diet Pro Health Food for Guinea Pig, 5-Pound https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VB503Y/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_Av8Eub1ERBJYN

eCOTRITION Snak Shak Treat Stuffer for Guinea Pig/Rabbit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WAGVO2/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_jw8Eub001T4KZ

Kaytee Chew-Proof Water Bottle, 26-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HHQ70S/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_eA8Eub1MCZ8ZJ (I fill it almost completely and mine never leaks, but some reviews mention it leaking).

Kaytee Super Sleeper Cuddle-E-Cup, Colors Vary https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ASBRM/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_qY8Eub0PE7E4Y best to get two of things like this, pigs will fight over it if there's only one.

definitely bigger, i agree with the other posts that C&C cage is the best option but do be careful with small piggies and the size of the grids. midwest habitat’s are really good as well though and you could always expand them https://www.amazon.com/Guinea-Habitat-Cage-MidWest-Inches/dp/B001NJ0DPY

My robo has one of these. Not the same one as in the picture but similar. He LOVES it! I think it's his favorite toy. He also likes teeter totter type things, maybe you could look into those?

When I bought the Rosewood gym thing, it was random what kind you get (think there are 4 types?). My russian dwarf has one of the other versions and doesn't care for it. But, she does not care for climbing on things, really, or playing at all. She's more into eating, sleeping, and occasionally running on her wheel.

My wiggly pigs have two of these connected together.

Guinea Habitat Guinea Pig Cage by MidWest, 47L x 24W x 14H Inches https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NJ0DPY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Q7WxCbDV9DDCA

One of those cages is the minimum recommended size for two guinea pigs (8 square feet). I think that's cheaper than a C&C cage, considering the price of a pack of panels and a sheet of coroplast. If that cage is a size upgrade for them, I definitely recommend it. You'll see the same cage in a lot of pictures here. Good luck.

You went big! Good for you! FYI, that model does have fleece liners that you can purchase for it if you like. We just got some for ours (we actually have the Critter Nation - identical to the FN, but with smaller bar spacing and horizontal rather than vertical bars around the edges) and they're working out great for our chins. We got our first set on Amazon, and I just picked up additional pan and shelf covers at Doctors Foster & Smith so that we can easily swap 'em out for washing.

My first cage was a Rat Manor. It is solid metal bottom then mesh platforms, but those are easily covered with fleece or sheet plastic. I upgraded to a DCN as I wanted more rats haha Some people even buy bird cages and convert them by adding shelves. The Rat Manor was an awesome starter cage, the only downside to it was that it was a little annoying to clean, but it wasn't too bad. https://www.amazon.com/You-Me-Manor-Habitat-16-5/dp/B00XYJL6U2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518569622&sr=8-1&keywords=rat+manor+cage

Dollar store desk accessories and organizer bins are great.

I had an exercise ball zip-tied up in one corner of my cage, which my boys loved, but it wasn't the easiest thing to get inside and clean. I got one of these to replace it, and it's much easier to keep clean.

Sure!

I buy practically everything on Amazon and these would be my top recommendations:

Hidey Hut - this is large enough to fit two grown gerbils and my first survived the chewing for close to 4 years.

Small Animal Pet Playpen/Exercise Pen - this is just tall enough for the jumpers. I've still had some be able to reach the top but it is a struggle and you'd be able to catch them in time. Really sturdy as well.

Kordon/Oasis (Novalek) SOA80304 Bell Bottle and Hold Guard Small Animal Value Set, 4-Ounce - this is by far my favorite recommendation of the bunch. I cannot tell you how many water bottles were just destroyed and I would come home to an empty bottle and a very wet gerbil. This thing is impenetrable!

Kaytee Hamster Silent Spinner, 6 1/2 inch Exercise Wheel - although I've had to buy a couple of these (they will chew the yellow part holding the bottom part to the wheel) I find that this is the sturdiest of them all. It becomes less silent the more they chew on it and push it around but it's never been loud enough to be considered especially annoying.

Great for cleaning cage and is safe

As far as dust baths go, I've tried several different kinds and find them all to be equivalent.

Would not recommend:

Ware Manufacturing Flying Saucer Exercise Wheel for Small Pet - the quality is fine here but if you are using carefresh, it gets buried and doesn't allow any give for it to spin.

Kaytee Woodland Get-A-Way Medium Hamster House - quality here is also fine and it's pretty thick so it would take a while to get them to chew. Since it is wood, it absorbs liquids. My gerbils would pee on it and it got to the point that it looked moldy and unhealthy so I just threw it out.

Alfie Pet by Petoga Couture - GARI Wood Hut for Small Animals like Dwarf Hamster and Mouse - Size: Large - this is the cutest little home I've ever seen. I had to eventually throw out though because the wood was so thin that the back wall collapsed due to their chewing and would no longer stand up.

Prevue Pet Products Multi-Color Small Pet Playpen 40090 - I think the quality is here too. It's just too short. My gerbils were easily able to escape this.

GreatChoice Water Bottle - chewed through in a week and Same

I know you mentioned ceramic, but the only ceramic item in his home is a clamshell I use as his potty.

my little guy currently loves sleeping in this house right now.

he used to sleep in here before I added his current one.

I got this bridge in medium & push it up against a wall & he likes to hang out in there sometimes to clean himself.

& lastly, I’m considering buying this space pod as a possible nap/hangout spot for him.

If you can afford it I would get two equal size cages... bigger than you have now. If not then using the smaller one for the new pig during the quarantine should be fine.

http://www.amazon.com/MidWest-Homes-for-Pets-171GH/dp/B001NJ0DPY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1457989093&sr=8-2&keywords=midwest+cage

If you can... two of those would be great. We have these and they are fantastic. You can join them together when they are ready. And every so often if you have the space or have the extra bit of money you can always buy more and continue to give them the space they need.

Best thing I could find (10.7 x 18.4 x 8)

The only thing I would worry about is the little ones chewing on the coating, this size should cover 1/3 long ways.

Also you may be able to use the hooks on this not only as a stand but you could make very small holes and hook it to add even more room.

However if this doesn't work, you could add adhesive hooks so you can use cage hooking items like this

If the hooks aren't what you want then you can add items like these:

Best Option

Wooden Balcony

Platform

Platform and Swing

Platform and Swing - The Squeequel

I really hope this will help you and the little ones out!

Edit: Forgot to add this one

One thing I do for my rats is give them empty pop cases. They absolutely love nesting in them and it costs me nothing. I change it out probably once a week. Another thing you could get is a space pod. Most rats love them and they're versatile, you can hang them upside down if you want. I also give my rats children's wooden blocks and popsicle sticks to chew on. And I've done things like filling penny rolls with treats and closing them up and giving that to them, or the sock pinata method where you hang an old sock somewhere they can barely reach it, and fill it with treats. Also it doesn't look like you have anything for them to nest with, getting a yard of fleece from the craft store and cutting it up will do wonders, or giving them tissue paper to tear up and nest with.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N55MGHN/ref=od_aui_detailpages03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's like a little wooden bed. xD They love them. I stacked three together like stairs instead of using ramps. The stairs that come with you can use it normally or put it on the side of the cage for something to climb on.

Amazing how rats love to cram themselves into tiny spaces.

We have three rats and they all cram themselves into these pods, I really don't see how they could possibly be comfortable!

It's a sputnik, they love it. It hangs from the top of the cage and is very easy to clean!

My ham loves his ball, he hops right in as soon as I put it in his cage. As for other toys, I had a piece of PVC pipe left over from a project that I gave him, and he likes to hide his food in there. I also have a little ceramic thing with some bathing sand (not dust, important distinction) in the bottom, he likes to roll around in it and kicks it out of his cage when he wants a fresh batch. This is the sand I use, and it's Prime eligible!

spiral bird rope

bendy bird rope

wooden bridge

Sputnik/space pod

foraging toy

wooden climbing platforms

2-pack lava ledges

foraging wheel

Also a good idea might be to look up some rat safe treat recipes and make a little ratty goodie bag for them (banana chips, oats, dried pasta, certain seeds, etc.)

I've had my leopard gecko for over a year now, and I want to look into a greater variety of hides.

Has anyone looked into or used something like this? I think it would look super cute with a little gecko head poking out.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NBHYWTK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_dOoQBb3H1WDRC

That midwest cage is actually a 2x4 and you can buy it w/o a top and divider on amazon. Link It's only $30, I have it and it's not leaky at all. If you think it's too small you can combine two of them too. It's the cage that I have, but you do risk your guinea pig escaping if the are adventurous like my Belle. (She was in heat and horny and I have a boar in the same room as her so she just climbled over the top, it's like 2feet high though). But it's a decent cage

My personal favorite is this house set here! The blue and pink houses are designed to sit next to each other and look like one big house. It’s also the sturdiest Kathson house I’ve purchased so far. Kathson has lots of cute dollhouse adjacent mouse and hamster stuff. I’m a big fan.

Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Chinchilla Bathing Sand, 52.8 fl. oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005OCXN1M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_KnFWzbN8G4YMS

Always use things that are dust free.

I use this brand of chinchilla sand and it works great. I put it in a pie tin and let the gerbils have fun in it either when I let them out of their tank to play or put it in there for a short time.

Build a 2x4 C&C cage! It's cheap, easy, and lasts a lifetime. I did it for my two little guys while I was broke in college. And even in my tiny college apartment, I found the space. I put it on a cheap table from Walmart, threw a tablecloth (or maybe it was an old curtain from the dollar store...) over it, and used that space beneath for storage.

Or if you don't want to build, just buy this 2x4 Midwest habitat on Amazon. It's only $35. It makes a NIGHT AND DAY difference in a guinea pig's quality of life. Please!

Enjoy the new piggy. :) I got dogs after my pigs, but I miss the pigs all the time. They're wonderful creatures.

​

It's like woven willow sticks. They come in balls, tunnels, even pigloo-shaped. My girls LOVE the tunnel and they're on Amazon Prime so we get them as often as we need.

http://www.amazon.com/Ware-Woven-Willow-Tunnel-Hideout/dp/B002H3BLCY/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1398303268&sr=1-1&keywords=willow+tunnel

I'll take it out then. This sand I got from amazon had great reviews and after looking for so long I thought it would be good, since reviews state it is decent for hamsters of all sizes. Let me know?

Here are a couple I've seen recommended often:

http://www.guineapigcagesstore.com/ If you get the materials yourself and build it on your own, you can make one of these for a lot less expensive than the website. If you're do-it-yourself-y, this is a great option. If not, maybe not so much.

https://www.amazon.com/MidWest-Homes-for-Pets-171GH/dp/B001NJ0DPY This one is nice because you can expand it relatively easily.

Remember that a pair of boars needs about 10 square feet (sorry, I don't know what that measurement is in meters).

As everyone else said. That cage is much to small for 2 piggies. Look into Midwest Guinea Habitat. They are 8 sq ft per cage and you can expand them or connect 2+ cages together. I have 2 for my 2 piggies and they LOVE it. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001NJ0DPY/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/189-1568133-2817612

These are technically ferret toys, but these pirate ships work pretty well as an enclosed hammock with a little bit of extra style.

My pigs are absolutely in love with this. I bought one like it from PetSmart, I think, and it doubles as a hideout and a chew toy! My current version is about half-chewed away and lately, I've found it upside down with a pig chomping at it more often than not. :)

Yeah, my rats love their Space Pod, too. Space Pod on Amazon

5x11 platform

3 pack mini platforms

Peek a Boo tunnel (she has a shop on Etsy as well)

Hanging bridge

Niteangel wooden house (unfortunately out of stock)

Etsy has a lot of chinchilla ledges, bridges and other cage accessories, definitely check them out. Shipping can be really slow though but the quality is worth it.

We also have a penny candy jar we're trying to train him to get into for transport since he hates being picked up but he mostly just likes perching on top of it at the moment.

Thank you guys!! I'll definitely be posting them here when they're finally home.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0037XQ8X0/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1450184336&sr=8-2&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=Sputnik+small+animal&dpPl=1&dpID=31QK51Hw0lL&ref=plSrch

Is this what you're referring too?

I use https://www.amazon.com/Supreme-Tiny-Friends-Chinchilla-Bathing/dp/B005OCXN1M/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Tiny+Friends+Farm+Small+Animal+Bathing+Sand&qid=1563416515&s=gateway&sr=8-1 and I love it. Be sure to only leave it in for 12-24 hours at a time as sometimes hamsters will either over-bathe and dry their skin out or use it as a litter box and then a bath which isn't sanitary lol

Get lava ledges and defintely get a Sputnik. You'll see a lot of posts on here of ratties in their sputnik. They love them!

Sorry to hear that.

It's definitely something that varies from hamster to hamster. They all have personalities, especially between different types (dwarf, robo, syrian, etc). Our favorite little climber Gus was way more coordinated than our other guy Amigo, would climb all over the place and never fall. Amigo also loved to climb but always fell on his ass once he got to the top, which is what motivated us to build our own enclosure without bars. Hamsters should have something to play on and climb, but only if it's safe when they inevitably fall off, which IMO means no more than 6 inches off a hard surface, and maybe 10 inches with soft bedding.

Amigo almost died because he got his big fat thighs stuck in the windows of this: https://www.amazon.com/Niteangel-Wooden-Hamster-Nesting-Habitat/dp/B01C5I7YMQ/

He could get into the door easily, but he blocked up the door with his bedding and forgot how to get out so tried to force his way through the window, which didn't work. Luckily we found him in the morning and I was able to squeeze his huge ass through.

Anyway I guess my point is they can be equally coordinated and uncoordinated!

Rat enclosures tend to be more adventurous and "dangerous", with hammocks on the roofs and whatnot, because you don't have to worry so much about them falling. Like this https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RDOJrvoZtlQ/maxresdefault.jpg

It's a space pod! They usually ignore it, but it was the perfect spot this morning.

I've got hammocks and two of these pod things in the cage and my girls only sleep in the pods anymore. They probably like the cave/nest feel of the pod better than an open hammock.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002X2NBNQ/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_.NSitb1PTE0ZG

Penn Plax Coconut Cabana Small Animals Hide-Out https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002DK5RS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_f31fzbNRF410S you can also buy some twine on Amazon as an add on item if you don't have any at home for $3 and it works perfectly for hanging the hide, all I did was tie a knot through the coconut and hang it through the terrariums lid.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NJ0DPY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Its the best space for price you'll find anywhere. I have one around for when I'm cleaning my c&c cage. You can't beat 9 square feet for $40

http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Homes-for-Pets-171GH/dp/B001NJ0DPY/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1370931126&sr

This is what I'm rolling with. Hard to find space for it. Aspen bedding and carefresh aren't recommended as it can get stuck in the hedgehog's "plumbing" and cause infections. Its easiest to get fleece blankets like these at Ikea:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80089927/

Some people make pads out of them fit for the cage, a blanket folded with padding sewn in.

It's not glass but I have this cage:
Guinea Habitat Guinea Pig Cage by MidWest, 47L x 24W x 14H Inches https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NJ0DPY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_89l6BbG6Z6EN7
You can also look into making a c&c cage for some ideas.
But that cage fits perfectly on our coffee table.
And we have a small apartment. I wind up spot cleaning the areas where they pee 2 or 3 times a week to cut back on odors. Doesn't take very long. And once a week I use a deodorizing cage spray to spray down the bottom of the cage to get rid of any lingering odors.

These two times are great for customizing your bunny’s area:

Guinea Habitat Guinea Pig Cage by MidWest, 47L x 24W x 14H Inches https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NJ0DPY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_CYV1CbVAHCM28

SONGMICS Pet Playpen Includes Cable Ties, Metal Wire https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BLYMG6C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_UZV1CbVTEE0R8

Lixit Critter Space Pod 2 Large by Lixit http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002X2NBNQ/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_P9yptb0H5ZNY9

Looks like I'm taking in a senior rat this weekend. Gotta prepare and look how cool this is!

Unfortunately that cage is still rather small. it may be long enough but its far too narrow.

something like this would be adequate.
http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Homes-for-Pets-171GH/dp/B001NJ0DPY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

http://www.amazon.com/Lixit-Critter-Space-Pod-Large/dp/B002X2NBNQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373295985&sr=8-1&keywords=spacepod

not sure if you can get that shipped to you but that is where I got it.

)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001NJ0DPY?cache=6ffe16ea939dc7bce3cda29f30a3e74e&pi=SX200_QL40&qid=1411711456&sr=8-3#ref=mp_s_a_1_3


I believe you may be able to purchase more than one and hook them together if you need the extra space. Might have to modify the mats a little, but I think it could work. But one fits comfortably for my two boys.

Every cute little ceramic bowl or hideout big enough is what I use. Maybe this? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XWR26PV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_PpZjDbYPT4CGT

Did you search for the term "space pod?" :) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002X2NBNQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_TrEJwbM8H7DPF

It can be really difficult to get hold of the grids and big enough sheets of Correx, unfortunately. I got my grids from Grendle, and was lucky enough to come across someone living about 2 miles from me on The Guinea Pig Forum who was giving away 2 huge sheets of Correx for free! That forum has a lot of discussion about C&C cages, and it's UK-based, so probably worth signing up there and looking around for any suggestions in your area. Many people seem to contact sign makers to get Correx sheets.

I now need to get stuff for a roof for my cage, and my Correx is a bit worn so I was thinking of getting a new sheet, and I think I'm just going to end up ordering the pre-scored Correx from C&C Guinea Pig Cages, even though it's expensive...measuring/scoring/cutting the Correx was a bit of a pain so this time round I'm happy to pay a bit more for something that is done properly and fits!

You could also consider the Midwest habitat and having 2 joined together rather than a loft, but at that point it would end up more expensive than the custom pre-made C&C cage.

I like this one - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Supreme-Petfoods-Tiny-Friends-Bathing-x/dp/B005OCXN1M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1541358987&sr=8-2&keywords=hamster+sand, you can also get it for £3 at Pets at Home if you have one near you or want to order from them online.

it's called a Sputnik =] http://www.amazon.com/Savic-Sputnik-Assorted-Colours-29x26x19cm/dp/B0037XQ8X0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1397859344&sr=8-3&keywords=sputnik+pet

I line my cage with weewee pads and it helps a lot
Other people use fabric. Ferret nation makes liners for everything too then you can just take them off and machine wash them. Ferret Nation Accessory Kit 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ZOC1BU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_D5.GDbVNES9X3

Got it on amazon . It's a maze on the inside with the top actually being a removable thin piece of plexiglass.

I have it upside down though and covered the top(actual bottom) with contact paper so it's easy to wipe down if he pees or poos on it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0773LKHSD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_FSFpDbSCY0JYN

It looks like it's actually on sale right now! https://www.amazon.com/Guinea-Habitat-Cage-MidWest-Inches/dp/B001NJ0DPY/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=midwest+guinea+pig+cage&qid=1567017921&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzRkgwNjJMMjlQUkEwJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTQ4NDk3MTlLU043VlpDTkpZOSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTczMTIzRDdHNDQ0OE9KS1VCJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Sorry the link is giant

Every once in a while we pick up a larger willow tunnel, and if our two are in the mood the thing is gone in 2-3 days. They only seem to really like the softer flexible twigs. No pic here also (on desktop.)

Here is a common one:
https://www.amazon.com/Supreme-Tiny-Friends-Chinchilla-Bathing/dp/B005OCXN1M/

You could also look into children's play sand, which is cheap and comes in bulk... you would need to sterilize it in the oven first though.

You could get a piece of glass or acrylic cut and attach it to the glass with silicone sealant.

You could also build a wooden platform on legs, or buy one like these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Happy-Pet-Raw-Wooden-Platform/dp/B00422KYBM/ref=sr_1_15?crid=31Y0TLIV17CB1&keywords=wooden+platform+hamster&qid=1563914482&s=gateway&sprefix=wooden+platform+%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-15

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Natural-Living-Shelter-30/dp/B000WFCFNI/ref=pd_sbs_199_1/259-0664693-9580769?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000WFCFNI&pd_rd_r=fee65e59-8291-45c6-9f3a-536606ede4ba&pd_rd_w=F9t4y&pd_rd_wg=VYmry&pf_rd_p=18edf98b-139a-41ee-bb40-d725dd59d1d3&pf_rd_r=830ZW015KA0K5ZM0VB8R&psc=1&refRID=830ZW015KA0K5ZM0VB8R

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-62262-Natural-Living-Shelter/dp/B000WFFZ94/ref=pd_sbs_199_2/259-0664693-9580769?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000WFFZ94&pd_rd_r=fee65e59-8291-45c6-9f3a-536606ede4ba&pd_rd_w=F9t4y&pd_rd_wg=VYmry&pf_rd_p=18edf98b-139a-41ee-bb40-d725dd59d1d3&pf_rd_r=830ZW015KA0K5ZM0VB8R&psc=1&refRID=830ZW015KA0K5ZM0VB8R

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Natural-Living-Stairs-Animals/dp/B000V9H9XG/ref=pd_sbs_199_5/259-0664693-9580769?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000V9H9XG&pd_rd_r=9e15101b-e2b4-4e14-b701-f4ca2ca37403&pd_rd_w=nA1Qn&pd_rd_wg=6HJL2&pf_rd_p=18edf98b-139a-41ee-bb40-d725dd59d1d3&pf_rd_r=TAQ6YXW2C1YQKS30Y5SD&psc=1&refRID=TAQ6YXW2C1YQKS30Y5SD

Yup! Amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002X2NBNQ

I like the plastic space pod, personally. Haven't had much luck with cloth ones! My past two rats have used this pod consistently and without really chewing on it.

You may like to think you're enough, but guinea pigs need the company of their own kind which they can understand socially. It is considered animal cruelty to house a guinea pig alone and is illegal on those grounds in several countries. Your guinea pig is likely depressed. You really, really ought to get another one. It's not as much as you think, and you can get a good cage of a good size online for cheaper than the tiny things they sell at PetSmart.

I personally recommend this one, the Midwest Guinea Pig Habitat: https://smile.amazon.com/Guinea-Habitat-MidWest-Panel-Inches/dp/B001NJ0DPY/

There's also this one which is new to me, but even cheaper and of a similar size/design: https://smile.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Canvas-Bottom-Cage-Black/dp/B07KB4C1QS/

You can also go the "C&C" route, which you can build yourself for pretty cheap or buy pre-made ones here: https://www.guineapigcagesstore.com/standard-guinea-pig-cages

You can try to connect the old cage with the new cage somehow, or just save the old one as a travel cage or use it as a sort of water/restroom station for floor time, and have it as part of a larger setup with a fenced in area. This combo can also do as a cage in the interim if you need to save up, as small animal play area fences are way cheaper and guinea pigs are naturally a little litterbox trained in that they'll prefer doing their business somewhere familiar, which would be the cage interior in this case.

As for another guinea pig, I would say get another anyway even if you have to have them in a cramped cage for a bit. Cage space can be mitigated to a degree with lots of floor time, loneliness cannot. You will be surprised the difference it makes. When I got my two guinea pigs, I had to keep them separate for a few weeks to make sure neither came to me sick, and while part of it was getting acclimated they spent a lot of time just lying around doing nothing. Once I introduced them and they got bonded, however, they're often interacting with each other, whether it's nibbling on hay or sniffing or squeaking at each other or whatever, and it really is night-and-day the difference.

Other than that, well, there's no good way to say this, but if you can't afford another guinea pig and a bigger cage, then you can't afford guinea pigs. Part of the reason PetSmart sells you these small cages and sells lone guinea pigs is to get people who otherwise really couldn't afford the correct setup to buy one (inadequate) setup anyway for a quick buck, and quote outdated research to defend their policies. Hamsters have it even worse, being essentially marketed as dolls for kids to play with in claustrophobic novelty cages.

I’m gonna advise against terrariums. Unless you live in a place that has very low humidity, and you’re house stays below 80, you’ll need a cage. Terrariums trap humidity, create a hot environment, and hold ammonia, all of which are bad for hedgehogs. Also if you went the terrarium route, you would be needing a 40 gallon breeder or a 55 gallon.
If you’re a little more handy, you could build a wooden Vivarium, and have large, hinged doors. Or you could assemble a c and c cage too. There are also some store bought cages the are pretty good.

South west guinea pig cage
https://www.amazon.com/Guinea-Habitat-Cage-MidWest-Inches/dp/B001NJ0DPY

Amazon basics pet habitat (large or jumbo)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07566MK5K/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538472815&sr=8-1&keywords=amazon%2Bbasics%2Bpet%2Bhabitat&dpPl=1&dpID=41XZLg7n1AL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

Kaytee my first pet home
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008MZML4S/ref=psdcmw_2975537011_t1_B007BNE1YA

It is from Amazon.
Niteangel Small Animal Wooden Platform, Climbing Kits https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N55MGHN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_KN6SBb8H4YKS1

Midwest Expandable Guinea Habitat https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B001NJ0DPY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_nQ29ybW9BFV31

The Midwest cage is available on amazon Canada.

Yup, amazon link

I found something similar on Amazon

Kaytee Woodland Get-A-Way Medium Hamster House https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009WH8ZE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_HhZUAbVAFBGD3

I get my sand on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005OCXN1M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001NJ0DPY/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1522469891&sr=8-2&keywords=guinea%2Bpig%2Bcage&dpPl=1&dpID=51LjyRUWqfL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

It’s 8sq feet and you can put multiple cages together if you want.

Must-have

Guards were made with kiln dried pine from Ring's end lumber.

Liners: Ferret Nation Accessory Kit 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ZOC1BU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Homes-for-Pets-171GH/dp/B001NJ0DPY

Are you talking about this cage? It's available at Petsmart.

MidWest Critter Nation Single Level, two level optional depending on budget.

• http://smile.amazon.com/MidWest-Critter-Nation-Animal-Habitat/dp/B001NJ0DAY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462676314&sr=8-1&keywords=midwest+critter+nation
  
  Space Pod
  
  
• http://smile.amazon.com/Lixit-Critter-Space-Pod-Large/dp/B002X2NBNQ/ref=pd_sim_199_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=514yBZHbQ1L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=09NQ6RB0F97DR3FYWSP7
  
  Oxbow Regal Rat food
  
  
• http://smile.amazon.com/Oxbow-Regal-Rat-Food-3-Pound/dp/B000GABM1K/ref=pd_sim_199_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=51DFDAhgD3L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR113%2C160_&refRID=09NQ6RB0F97DR3FYWSP7
  
  Water bottles
  
  
• http://smile.amazon.com/LIXIT-Proof-Glass-Water-Bottle/dp/B0002QI5WM/ref=pd_sim_199_7?ie=UTF8&dpID=41Wb3MLRcfL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR135%2C160_&refRID=09NQ6RB0F97DR3FYWSP7
  
  
  Litter box
  
  
• http://smile.amazon.com/Ware-Plastic-Lock-N-Litter-Small-Colors/dp/B000HG96EI/ref=pd_sim_199_21?ie=UTF8&dpID=517FLhZC5FL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=09NQ6RB0F97DR3FYWSP7
  
  Hammock
  
  
• http://smile.amazon.com/ProSelectA-Polka-Dot-Cage-Hammocks/dp/B005N11YLK/ref=pd_sim_199_16?ie=UTF8&dpID=51lb4SYKutL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=09NQ6RB0F97DR3FYWSP7
  
  Food bowl
  
  
• http://smile.amazon.com/Kaytee-Stoneware-Hamster-Bowl-Inch/dp/B0040B9NOY/ref=sr_1_11?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1462676611&sr=1-11&keywords=food+dish

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NJ0DPY/ref=cm_sw_r_fm_apa_i_TK3nDbJ70QJB9

Ta-da!

i was going to get this for them

Go with a Midwest Cage system. They aren't as expensive as a C&C, and sometimes you can get a price match at a big box pet stores.

https://www.amazon.com/Guinea-Habitat-Cage-MidWest-Inches/dp/B001NJ0DPY/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1538997215&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=midwest+cage+for+guinea+pigs&psc=1

I use this Tiny Friends Farm Bathing Sand 1 kg https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005OCXN1M/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_Hm13BbZK7V321

You can get it cheepest as an add on but it is available as an ordinary purchase. I've also seen it at Pets at Home

I bought this: http://www.amazon.com/Lixit-Critter-Space-Pod-Large/dp/B002X2NBNQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1458580193&sr=1-5&keywords=rat+toys

I have some stuff for my rats and [dogs] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CAO4DJI/?coliid=I30API70T4H5Q6&colid=1A9Q350WXYATQ&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it) on my list.

Here is the desktop version of your link

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ZOC1BU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_FxV3DbWA7R40W

This is her cage: Midwest Expandable Guinea Habitat - http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Homes-for-Pets-171GH/dp/B001NJ0DPY
I just had the lamp on for 30 minutes and it was really warm...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002X2NBNQ

i actually just ordered one! we'll see how it works though since i've got picky girls.

It's a rat sputnik. Link

I got this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005OCXN1M/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmr0_1?qid=1383213382&sr=8-1-fkmr0&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

You could try getting a spacepod thing.
One of my boys is just not a fan of the hammocks but always sleeps in the spacepod. I just place a blanket inside so he has something soft to lay on.
This is the one I have I think:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002X2NBNQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523929804&sr=8-1&keywords=spacepod&dpPl=1&dpID=514yBZHbQ1L&ref=plSrch

hard to say ... can certainly be a problem

just order chinchilla sand of the internet?
https://www.amazon.com/Supreme-Tiny-Friends-Chinchilla-Bathing/dp/B005OCXN1M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482335369&sr=8-1&keywords=chinchilla+sand

you should be able to get this in any petstore though.

Nope! I wouldn't do that at all. My vet told me that it has to be pet bathing sand. The dyes in the colored sand or the grain of it may irritate their little hamster skin.
 
Here are a couple of links to sand options I found on Amazon:
 

• This is the one I use
  
• Another option
  

I buy this one, but same idea. Seriously, makes a big difference compared to kaytee
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00PBM6WHW?pf_rd_p=731c2082-c3b6-4ec5-ba3b-337a0516607d&aaxitk=vAPiCNQq4XfQKatnGWBNWg&hsa_cr_id=4384742620501

https://www.amazon.com/Supreme-Tiny-Friends-Chinchilla-Bathing/dp/B005OCXN1M/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=54129025137&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrfvsBRD7ARIsAKuDvMPew9xtwouOJR1MFqzwxoVITDnqR76qmI_DSP3q242Xnleue0B5nk0aAsikEALw_wcB&hvadid=274723852721&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9033356&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6621402770649031636&hvtargid=kwd-317896535195&hydadcr=8807_9904219&keywords=gerbil+sand&qid=1570717544&sr=8-3

This is the sand I buy for their litter

I have a dollar store, gerbil only sieve I use to sift out the Lil poops and re-use the sand a couple times.

They're getting old, 2 in about a month, but they're doing well so far, haven't slowed down yet. It is a sad day that I know is coming :/

I think if I had a lot more pee would probably be much more of a problem, but with just two, aside from one peeing on the other when above the other in the cage (which I've seen happen once or twice) they don't really smell bad themselves in my experience. They mostly hang out in one of these at the top of their cage, and I feel like it would be just pooled with pee if they peed in it, which they don't seem to.

one of these bad boys

Some facts of rat keeping.

1. They need to be kept in pairs minimum, they're social creatures.
   
2. They need a minimum amount of space per rat (2.5 sq feet per rat is usually said to be the minimum, although this varies). This isnt a cage for rats, but just as an example of how big that is, this is an 8 square foot cage for a guinea pig if the measurements are correct.
   
3. If you cant give them a proper diet, enrichment, vet needs, or meet their basic needs for companionship, etc, that's abuse.