Which room will you keep your rats in?

There are a few factors that go into choosing the room that you will keep your rats in.

1. Temperature and humidity. Rats need a temperature between 18 and 23 degrees to stay happy, healthy and energetic. The room you keep them in should have a constant temperature with very few temperature changes. Humidity ideally is kept between 40% and 70% to keep your rats respiratory systems healthy. Rooms with a bunch of windows are not the best for keeping rats in as they will be subject to temperature and heat fluctuations. 

2. Cleaning. You will want to keep your rats in a room that is easily cleaned, and in one that you can easily take the cage apart and clean in. Carpeted rooms can be annoying for cleaning, so you may want to keep a tarp under your rat's cage if you are keeping them in a carpeted room. 

3. Smell. Rats, of course, do give off a smell. You will want to keep your rats in a room with which their own smell will not bother anyone.

4. Scent and smoke free. The room your rats stay in should be scent and smoke free, and also free of air fresheners such as febreeze. There should be no incense, sprays or smoke present in your rat room.

5. A room where no one will be bothered at night. Rats are most active in the nighttime so it is best to keep them in a room where they will not bother anyone throughout the night. I would keep them out of bedrooms personally, though if you are a heavy sleeper this may not matter! 

6. Interactions. You still want a room in which you will be able to interact with your rats regularly in. Rats love to be in social family rooms where they get the most attention and can observe the most activity! You may also want to keep them in a room that is safe for free-range time, one in which rats can run freely throughout the whole room without too much supervision.

So you've chosen your room? Onto choosing your cage.