Is this normal?

[Pommie]

This is probably a silly question.


Every morning I wake up and find the girls have rearranged their cage. They pushed bedding out of the corners and out of their igloo. I had put blankets in their igloo and they kicked them out. They also didn't like where I put the igloo or their litter pan.
Is it normal for them to rearrange all their things? Am I doing something wrong? Could something be making them upset?

Thanks!

Being a new mommy is so hard. :sad3:

 

[victoria]

That's perfectly normal. Depending what they rearrange, I will sometimes change their cage around so it's how they like it. I find giving them material to nest with (paper, fabrics scraps, etc.) and putting cage liners (towels, fleece, etc.) down really flat and smooth helps prevent them bunching the liners. Sometimes. Some rats will destroy, burrow, etc. no matter what.

 

[MissGuardian]

Yup, it's normal. I find rearranging things rather frequently helps a bit.
If mine continously moves certain objects to the same spot, I usually try to let them keep it there- see if it helps. Don't worry :hugs:

 

[Pommie]

Phew! Thanks guys!!

 

[M0onkist]

It's entirely normal - some rats just aren't happy if they aren't constantly redecorating!

 

[Joanne]

And it's GOOD for ratties to have some activity to do, like a hobby! LOL

 

[jorats]

And it's GOOD for ratties to have some activity to do, like a hobby! LOL

Yep, that's how I see it too. Busy minds and busy bodies make for healthy rats.

 

[mamarat]

When I see the messy cages in the morning, I know they've had a good night. lol

 

[rattytat]

When I see the messy cages in the morning, I know they've had a good night. lol

Yep, I'd be disappointed if I got up in the morning to find everything in the same place as the night before. :giggle:

 

[hprats]

I've gathered that girls do this more than boys though?

I only have one rat who ever nests, and he is my only major hoarder (the others hoard, but not like it's a mission, just if they feel like it). He is also my least testosterone fueled rat, the least aggressive to his cagemates (the only one who can get along with Peter right now).

 

[M0onkist]

Girls are big nesters because that's kind of their calling in life (or would be if they kept having babies). Males who are very effeminate (i.e. girly) do that too though - Chance was a wonderful nester, and he never got neutered (he just seemed to overlook the fact that he had goolies!).

 

[hopefloats]

My boys do more rearranging in their cage. They seem to enjoy loose pieces of fabric in the litter box. Which is a nasty habit.

 

[mamarat]

My 5 boys' cage is just as messy as my girls. lol

 

[SQ]

Absolutely normal :thumbup:
My ratties enjoy rearranging their cage.

 

[Pommie]

LOL!! Ok!!

I almost feel bad putting everything back and ruining their hard work.

And I just learned to make sure all blankets are out of their reach. :giggle:

 

[M0onkist]

Don't feel bad! It lets them get busy renovating again!

lol, they do tend to pull anything they can reach into the cage!

 

[Pommie]

LOL, true.

Last night they didn't do much. I was actually kinda sad. I think they were tired, because I've started getting them out more.

 

[MissGuardian]

lol, they do tend to pull anything they can reach into the cage!

That is so true! I found a towel once that looked like it's been through a paper shredder.. No clue how they got a hold of it!