You are here because you’re wondering whether it’s safe to keep your rats in your bedroom. Since you know that not every place is safe for rats, you are ahead of the game. While rats are prone to accidents, there are ways to make sure that your bedroom is safe.
It can certainly be safe to keep pet rats in a bedroom, but the safety of a bedroom will depend on the following factors:
- How clean the room is
- The room’s temperature
- How loud the room is
Pet rats can be safe in your bedroom, given that you are willing to take steps to keep the area safe. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about where to safely keep your rats and why.
Your Bedroom Is As Safe As You Make It
Your bedroom can become home for your rats, so long as you keep a few important things in mind. Here are a few safety rules to keep in mind when keeping your pet rats in a bedroom.
Avoid Clutter
Keep clutter at a minimum so that your rats won’t be unreachable or able to hide. If your rats are ever out of their cage, clutter will make them very difficult to find. Rats also like to chew and will tear papers, so keeping your room clutter-free will also prevent your rats from destroying anything important to you.
Temperature Control
If the temperature in a room is comfortable for you, it will be also comfortable for your rat. If your rats are close to a window, be careful that there isn’t too much of a draft during colder months. An open window will also provide too much direct sunlight in the warmer months.
In addition, you should make sure that there isn’t a direct heat source like a heat vent adjacent to the rat cage, as your rat(s) could easily become overheated.
Beware of Hidden Dangers
Rats are relatively small creatures, so there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure your room is safe. Make sure your window is shut and that there are no spaces where your rats could get outside. If you have the door closed, ensure that the space between the door and floor isn’t large enough for the rats to escape. You’ll also want to make sure that the vent covers are screwed on tightly. Additionally, if you have a garbage can in your bedroom, make sure there is a lid and that your rats cannot get into it.
Keeping Pet Rats in your Bedroom: Pros and Cons
There are numerous reasons to consider keeping your pet rats in your bedroom. Weigh all the options for yourself and your rats to make sure that your bedroom is perfect for everyone.
Pros of Keeping Rats in Your Bedroom
There are more than a few great reasons to keep your pet rats in your bedroom. Below are a few of the best ones.
Having a Close Relationship with Your Rat
Rats, especially those that live right beside you, are very friendly and easily handled with minimal training. You will never be lonely with your pet rats in your bedroom!
The more often your rats see you and interact with you, the more comfortable they will be with you. Keeping your rats in your bedroom provides a great way for your rats to get to know you better and to trust you. You will be able to handle them, and you can even train them just like you would a dog, as rats are highly intelligent and willing to please.
Keeping Your Rats Away from Your Other Pets
If you have other pets, especially larger ones such as cats or dogs, keeping your rats in the bedroom might be ideal. You can close your bedroom door and keep their cage closed to help make sure that your pets do not come into contact with each other. This can also prevent unnecessary accidents or injuries to your pet rats.
Dedicated Exercise Area
Time spent outside of the cage is important for your rats, especially to have human interaction. An enclosed bedroom can provide a safe environment for your rats to play and will provide much needed enrichment. Just make sure to watch them so they are safe at all times.
Noticing Sickness
If your rats are in an area where they will be constantly watched, like a bedroom, you may notice sickness or injury faster. This can be helpful if your rats ever need veterinary care.
Cons of Keeping Rats in Your Bedroom
Your bedroom may not be ideal for your pet rats, here are a few reasons why that may be the case.
Rats are Nocturnal
If you are a light sleeper, consider the fact that rats are nocturnal. This means that you may be awakened by your furry friend in the middle of the night. If you are a night owl though, rats will keep you company during those late-night snack or movie sessions!
Rats are Escape Artists
Rats are known as the escape artists of the rodent family. If you don’t want loose rats in your bedroom, make sure the cage is not able to be opened by your pet rats.
If you find that your rats can escape from their cage, try to figure out how they are escaping or consider a new latch, lock, or new cage to make sure they are safe. It could take several tries to successfully secure your rats in their cage.
Large Cages
Rat cages should be large, with enough space for your rats to play, climb, and hide. If your bedroom is on the smaller side, the cage may take up more space than you initially realize. Don’t skimp on the size, however, as rats need a lot of space and may become bored or restless if not provided ample room.
Other Rooms to Keep your Pet Rats In
After reading the above sections, you may have concluded that your bedroom is not the ideal place for your pet rats. If this is the case, below are few other places that may work for your rats.
The Living Room
Since rats are social animals, they may enjoy living in one of the most used rooms in the house! There will be many people to play with, and possibly more of a chance for them to come out and play. Since rats are nocturnal, try to keep the living room quiet in the day time if your rats will be kept there. Too much noise or commotion may keep them awake when they should be resting.
The Office
If you have a home office, your rat’s large cage may fit well in there. Plus, your rats can provide a great source of entertainment while you are working. Since they are generally kept in cages, there is little chance that they will galivant across your keyboard as you type!
The Spare Room
Maybe what your rats need is a palace all their own! If you have a spare room in your home, consider setting it up with multiple cages for your rats; you can even connect those cages with tunnels that will help keep your rats entertained and happy.
Final Thoughts
Not only do you know how to make your bedroom safe for your rats, but you also know the pros and cons of keeping them in your bedroom. Your bedroom can be a great place for your rats, so long as you do what you can to make it that way.
