Potty Training?

[gwen13]

I want to let my rat explore, but she just pees everywhere. I have been trying to potty train her, but it isn't working. Does anyone have advice?

 

[temblabamomo]

Rats can learn to poop in litter trays, but many owners experience frustration with getting them to pee in trays. If urine marking is a concern, let your rat explore areas with flooring that can be wiped (if the area is rat safe, of course). I believe some ppl who let rats roam carpeted area have their carpets treated every so often.

My experience with males is that neutered ones mark less. I cannot speak on whether girls are the same.

Does you rat have a buddy or is she a single rattie?

 

[jorats]

Rats usually don't pee everywhere but they do scent mark to give them an idea how to get back home or to remind them that they have been there and it's safe. Some rats do a lot of this while others rely on the other rat smells around. It might not be possible to prevent this scent marking. I keep wet wipes on hand and wipe up after the rats have gone home.

 

[Ratacular]

I would get a pee rock. All you need to do is find a pretty smooth rock about the size of your fist and plop it in the litter tray! For some reason ratties like to pee on rocks and although they won't exclusively go there, they go there quite a few times (at least with my two boys) and you can tell if they do by the wet marks on it. If you clean it every (other) day then it will help with smell a bit.

Good luck finding something that works for you!

 

[dspch911]

How old is she and how long have you had her? I've learned from experience that when they get older and you've had them for awhile they stop peeing during out time - not completely, but its not a common thing anymore.

 

[SQ]

Make sure she has access to a litter box when she is out.
Also, if you don't have at least 2 rats, you need to have at least 2 same sex rats (there are established, gradual intro steps for introing rats if any are 12 weeks of age or older- so that no one is hurt) as rats are social and need to live with at least one friend
Covering furniture with large fleece blankets will help to protect it.
I cover carpet with large pieces of thick linoleum.


Rats will teach themselves to use litter boxes most of the time but they will scent mark .... and walls behind the cage will also become yellow so a sheet of chloroplast behind the cage is a good idea.
The way to "teach" your rats to use the litter box is to put a litter box everywhere they like to go .... lol ... corners and the bottom of ladders are popular places.

most of us wear "rat clothes" when our ratties are out - clothes we do not mind being peed on or chewed.

Also, it is viewed as a compliment if your rat pees on you as you are being urine marked as theirs.

 

[dspch911]

Also, it is viewed as a compliment if your rat pees on you as you are being urine marked as theirs.

What do you consider it when they relieve their WHOLE bladder on you? :!??!??!: :lolsign:

 

[SQ]

What do you consider it when they relieve their WHOLE bladder on you? :!??!??!: :lolsign:

They must REALLY love you!!! LOL

 

[gwen13]

Thanks for the advice!