Hammocks and Hooks
Ok, if you've had rats for awhile you've likely heard about rat hammocks. Rats love em, well, mostly.
There are dozens of tutorials for hammocks on the internet. I personally love this one. It is a large pdf and may take awhile to load, so be patient! Another tutorial with some unique hammocks is Jolly Rats. It's written in another language, but the pictures are clear and google translate seems to work well enough.
A very frequently asked question about hanging hammocks - where do people get those darn hooks? It's as simple as going to any store that sells shower curtain rings and picking up a few packages. They're cheap and sturdy.
There are dozens of tutorials for hammocks on the internet. I personally love this one. It is a large pdf and may take awhile to load, so be patient! Another tutorial with some unique hammocks is Jolly Rats. It's written in another language, but the pictures are clear and google translate seems to work well enough.
A very frequently asked question about hanging hammocks - where do people get those darn hooks? It's as simple as going to any store that sells shower curtain rings and picking up a few packages. They're cheap and sturdy.
How I Get My Rats to Use Hammocks
New or stubborn rats will sometimes avoid those comfy beds that we go out of our way to make. I simply place the hammocks low to the ground, even touching the ground, and let the rats sleep on them then. As time passes, slowly make hammocks higher and higher and they will learn to trust the scary fabric bed. Also, introducing a new rat with rats that know how to use hammocks can work as well. Remember to place yummy treats anywhere you want your rat to go! There will always be the stubborn rats, however, and that is when it's good to find other bedding and forms of enrichment.
Fabric Types
Fleece is the most popular choice of fabric for rats for its wicking properties and not fraying. When fabric frays it has the potential to get caught in your rat's toes, feet, or even around their neck (yikes). It's also plush and soft, but does get a little crunchy in the dryer on a hot setting.
Flannel or cotton print can be paired with the fleece for a decorative and often cheaper second layer to rat hammocks. Take caution from the fraying these fabrics have: cut the loose strings off of hammocks when chewed, and if excessively chewed please remove the whole hammock from the cage. To prevent fraying on hammocks that have exposed raw edges, you can go over the edge with a zig zag stitch.
Towel or other absorbent fabric, such as zorb, can be used to capture urine. You can combine fleece's wicking properties with the towels or zorb by layering fleece on top of the absorbent layer. This way the urine will soak into the towel or zorb, but the fleece will leave the rat feeling dry.
Other fabric types exist, and it's best to use general caution with anything that frays. Fraying fabric will potentially get caught in your rat's toes, feet, or in rare occasions around the neck. That being said, you can make hammocks and toys out of most any fabric as long as you monitor your rats responsibly. Use your best judgement, and stick to fleece if you do not want to worry about accidents happening.
Flannel or cotton print can be paired with the fleece for a decorative and often cheaper second layer to rat hammocks. Take caution from the fraying these fabrics have: cut the loose strings off of hammocks when chewed, and if excessively chewed please remove the whole hammock from the cage. To prevent fraying on hammocks that have exposed raw edges, you can go over the edge with a zig zag stitch.
Towel or other absorbent fabric, such as zorb, can be used to capture urine. You can combine fleece's wicking properties with the towels or zorb by layering fleece on top of the absorbent layer. This way the urine will soak into the towel or zorb, but the fleece will leave the rat feeling dry.
Other fabric types exist, and it's best to use general caution with anything that frays. Fraying fabric will potentially get caught in your rat's toes, feet, or in rare occasions around the neck. That being said, you can make hammocks and toys out of most any fabric as long as you monitor your rats responsibly. Use your best judgement, and stick to fleece if you do not want to worry about accidents happening.
Where to Buy Fabric?
You might be struggling with finding inexpensive yet quality sources of fabric. Here are some sources I use:
- Walmart (though the fleece is often too thin, you can find thicker stuff by poking around)
- JoAnn's (only if it's on sale, rip-off otherwise)
- Craigslist postings (look in craft section)
- Your Fleece
- Fabric.com
- Send in more fabric sources in the "Intro and Contact" page!
Washing Fabric
It's highly important to avoid all perfumes and scents when machine washing your rat's fabric toys, hammocks, and bedding. Many rat owners use vinegar in their washing machines. I have never attempted using vinegar in the wash, but I know it is the safest thing to use. I use a commercial laundry detergent by seventh generation. Make sure you get the "free and clear" version to avoid scents! I personally use this product and it works like you would expect - nothing scented but gets the job done. Although my rats have never had a bad reaction to it, I am a little wary on the safety (only because it's commercially made) and thus I recommend using caution with any laundry detergent sold in stores.
Hammock Tailor List
- Add YOUR OWN business here! Just send a note through the contact form.
- Fumble's FuzzBeds (My personal etsy)
- Paw Purrfect Creation