I'm wondering if any one has any ideas on insulating a large rat cage for the winter?

Answer 1

Why does it need insulation? Is it outdoors? Rats need to be in a warm place that is why wild rats move inside during the winter. Most insulation can be dangerous to tame rats.

Answer 2

Somewhat difficult to determine your needs because I don't know if the rats are outside, in the house or in a garage. Hairless rats are the most difficult to keep warm and we don't recommend keeping them in a room under70 degrees or you'll lose them to respiratory infection.
Regular pet domestic rats can be kept in an insulated garage that is kept at about 55-60 degrees. Provide them with a wood hiding box that they can get in-out and turn all the way around in, for extra warmth. An old towel in the box adds to the warnth.
If you are keeping the rats outside in a shed, a hanging light bulb with a cage around it ( like guys use to work on cars) can be laid the cage screen lid. Just make sure the rats can't chew the cord or you can use a chicken light but be careful because they get really warm. Rats don't like to be kept in the dark either.
Remember when rats live in a colder area, they use more energy and consume more food so buy food with a higher fat content and feed more.
I see by the amount of negative answers that rats are not that popular to be a pet but the laugh is on all of you because rats are better than hamsters or gerbils because they are very intelligent and do not bite.

Answer 3

Try putting a heating pad on a low setting underneath part of the cage (not the whole cage. Don't bake the poor fella).

Also trying cutting up an old sweater as a little extra bedding for your rat to nest with (in addition to your normal bedding). Be sure to replace the "sweater pieces" as often as you change the rest of his/her bedding (ideally once a week). Good will would be a good place to get cheap sweaters. Also, wash before use. Mites are BAD NEWS for rodents.

Don't put anything over the top of the cage. Rats (and mice) have very sensitive respiratory systems and can get ill very easily. The ammonia from their urine can irritate this (one of the reasons to change the cage often, even if you don't smell anything yet), and putting a towel or blanket over the top will only trap these odors more.

Putting a light near the cage is another idea. Also, a space heater on a low setting.

If it's a female and she's not too old, have you considered getting a second female? (I wouldn't suggest it for a male--they tend to fight.) Rats are social and they could keep each other warm when they sleep. My mice cuddle up together all the time.


Now, all of this advice is presuming you already have the cage indoors and that it is a glass cage with metal screen top....

Answer 4

It is my opinion and experience that the best thing you can do for your rat is to have some kind of sleeping quarters like a wooden house, plastic igloo home or something of that nature inside your big cage and lots of bedding including shredded newspapers and even an old Terri cloth type rag or old towel and your rat will not only enjoy working on this new project but import these bedding's into his (or hers) house to it's own specifications for winterizing the perfect rat, winter hide- a- way. I think this will do the trick and you will have a happy rat

Answer 5

If the cage is outside then build a simple box around it ,ie marine ply. Insulate with polysyrene sheets. Dont let it come in contact with pets. Did this for all guinea pigs and they were realy snug for winter. As a cage front canapy use a thin ground sheet ie like blue camping ones so they have sufficent air. PS build the box back and two sides around the cage, most of all shelter the pets away from wind, and bring them in of an evening for a cuddle, even if its raining cats and dogs.

Answer 6

Why on earth would you want to insulate your rat cage. It will be plenty warm enough for him in your home. You could get a small box and fill it with shredded paper for him to snuggle into and he will be plenty warm enough. If you start trying to cover and insulate the cage he will end up with pneumonia from being too humid.

Answer 7

Why on earth does nearly everyone who answered this question think that the cage is outside?? Pet rats are NOT like sewer rats!! In the winter i usually give them extra bedding and i wrap a thin sheet of foam around the cage, it doesnt matter if they chew it cuz its safe. KEEP YOUR PRECIOUS BABIES WARM THIS WINTER!

Answer 8

Why dont you keep your rat or rats inside-its warmer for the little uns and they like to have company too.

Answer 9

put loadsa bedding in the cage, like the cotton wool bedding its really snuggly, or you could purchase a hutch snuggle form your nearest pets at home store it insulates the cage but they cost a fair bit.

Answer 10

A blanket or towel over the top of the cage maybe.

Also, you could give them places to hide, like cardboard boxes at the bottom of the cage, covered with lots of shavings and shreds of paper. If they are cold, they will go inside the boxes, and build nests with the extra bedding to keep warm.