Housing African Pouched Rats

I built Kali's house because I couldn't find a suitable one to buy. Most cages in pet shops are too small. The few that are large enough have wire mesh floors and shelves. Wire mesh is not good for a Pouched Rat's feet. I also wanted something that was easy to clean out and would prevent Kali from throwing her litter and food out onto the carpet. I'd previously built rat-proof cages for domestic rats so I set about scaling-up the basic layout and finding ways of making it stronger. I've given details on how the cage is put together and the materials used for anyone who wants to built something similar.

Main house

Kali's main house is built from wood, aluminium and wire mesh. It has a floor area of 100 x 75 cm and is 80 cm high. The ground floor area has enclosed sides to prevent drafts and stop Kali throwing things out. A metal parrot ladder leads to the first level which runs the full length of the house. This level has a large hole cut in it which holds Kali's potty. A small step up leads to the second level which runs the full width of the house and is where has her food bowls. The top levels have wire mesh sides all round. The very top level also has a hole cut in it to take a 10 cm cardboard tube which goes all the way down to the ground floor - a rats equivalent of a fireman's' pole. The tubes are supplied by a friendly carpet fitter and they last about three days before they need replacing. The roof is also made of mesh.

The house is constructed in sections, for ease of cleaning and transporting, which simply slot together. The bottom section consists of the main floor area with solid sides. The second section consists of the upper wire mesh sides and the final section is the roof.

All the sections, levels, ladders and tubes simply slot into place and are secured with wing nuts. This not only helps when cleaning and transporting but it also means that I can replace any parts which Kali destroys.

Travel house

Kali's also has a flat-pack house which she lives in when we go away on holiday. It is slightly smaller than her main house and, as the name suggests, it packs flat for east transport. Details of how its made and how it works are available for anyone who want build something similar.

Bedding

I line the base with sheets of newspaper about six sheets deep and then put in about 10cm depth of chopped cardboard. I also give Kali three or four extra sheets of newspaper torn into strips which she uses to make her nest.

Toys

Kali's house is fitted with a high level rope walkway, a hanging knotted rope and three interlocking rope hoops for her to climb up. These are all parrot toys and I chose natural, uncoloured rope incase the dyes or the synthetic materials were harmful to her. I encourage her to climb up them by putting food on them.