Rats using the top level of cage as their new bathroom?

Question

I have three rats and recently one of them (or all of them, I'm not sure) has started using the top level of his cage as his new bathroom and it's driving me crazy. They used to keep to one corner of the bottom of their cage, and were very neat, and now one of them isn't anymore and the smell carries and it's awful =(

I don't know why he is doing this, I'm not sure what the problem could be. I clean their cage regularly (this happens even when I freshly change their bedding). Their cage is large and roomy, and I can't really see what the problem is.

What do I do? Why are they doing this?

Answer 1

My rat does the same thing accept when she wants a clean cage she will go to the washroom on her top level. Maybe their telling you to clean their cage better or their bored. Possibly get them some more toys and/or something to chew on. Usually they do this to try and tell you something and in this case it's probably bordom and if it's not, then they just like to go to the bathroom there.

Answer mine too?

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Answer 2

A couple years ago, i had some rats that did the same thing. they would p**p in the bottem level corner, and they were very neat and tidy. But all of a sudden they just started pooping on the top corner where their bed is. i just couldnt understand why? But then i read that you can stop them from doing this by taking a little litter-box and placing it wherever you want. the litter-box comes with a shovel too. scoop up the p**p and place it in the litter-box!  they might not get it at first but sooner or later they will... its a proven fact. Rats are highly intelligent creatures!!

       while doing this, somehow block off the top levle so they cant go up there. when they start to p**p in the litter-box, unblock the top level for about an hour so they can go up there. if they start to p**p in the corner, take them down and scoop up the p**p. do this untill they understand!!

  email me back.  Miley <3

Answer 3

Do you really need to ask? They're rats! You choose to have them as pets, and now you have to deal with whatever nasty thing they decide to do.

Answer 4

you should block off the top level for a while until the thing gets used to going on the bottom again. then allow them back into the top.

Answer 5

You could clip a small plastic storage container under the top level, fill it up with litter, place some "rat pellets" in there, and he might use it as a bathroom. My boy rats would do the same thing, but once I placed a litter pan in there, they weren't peeing on the floor so much.

Answer 6

The simple answer to this is put a litter tray/box on each level, always put things in empty back corners, they don't use them for a toilet if somethings in the way,  a litter tray can be anything plastic big tub, storage box, just make sure its easy to get at for emptying, don't be too enthusiastic cleaning it at first, or he'll go eleswhere,

Answer 7

It could be preggers.  But rats are dirty creatures so it may be that they simply don't care where they do their business.  

Keep an eye on that scoundrel.

Maybe you should block off the top level for a while until the thing gets used to going on the bottom again.  Then allow them back into the top.