The Rat Room

Litter training is possible in most rats but you must be patient and diligent in keeping up with it.
First off, don’t even think of trying it with babies. Baby rats are poop machines, keeping up with keeping the cage clear of poops will drive you mad.
But when the rats reach 3+ months, it would be time to start.
1. Observe your rats. Watch to see where they go to relieve themselves, usually after waking up. Most times rats will back up into a corner.
2. Place a litter pan in that corner or corners, it might be best to add several litter pans in several corners. Rats like to change it up some, especially if their sleeping quarters change.
3. Make sure the bedding in the litter pan is different from the bedding in the bottom of the cage.
4. Find all loose poops around the cage and place them in the litter pan. Every day empty the litter pans but keep a few poops in there. Now, come on, wipe that grimace off your face, it’s a necessary dirty job.

You must keep the cage clean of all loose poops, clean it up several times a day. Most rats will catch on but then you’ve got those that are not so smart. I’d say 80% of my rats are litter trained.
As for the urine, you might never be able to contain it in one spot, especially if you have several males in the colony. Rats will mark and scent their areas, it’s a natural thing to do. All animals do it.