Baking Soda?

Is it possible to sprinkle a little bit of baking soda (like under my substrate) to help control odor. Mainly thinking for mama and her many babies during the first few weeks after giving birth when she doesn't want me screwing with her so i cant just change her bedding every week. Mainly just seeing if there is some kinda problem this could cause, like excessive licking of the cage floor or anything like that? And or if there is anything else everyone uses to solve this problem?

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Originally Posted by Fearless

Is it possible to sprinkle a little bit of baking soda (like under my substrate) to help control odor. Mainly thinking for mama and her many babies during the first few weeks after giving birth when she doesn't want me screwing with her so i cant just change her bedding every week. Mainly just seeing if there is some kinda problem this could cause, like excessive licking of the cage floor or anything like that? And or if there is anything else everyone uses to solve this problem?

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Why cant you just clean them every week like normal? I always have, even with babies that are hours old. Never seen any ill effects from this, so I'll continue to clean every week like usual.

Rats aren't like mice, they dont really seem to care if you pick them or the babies up ;)

I have been using clay cat litter for years without issue. I put a layer down and then aspen on top. Works wonders and have never had an issue yet. I have 20 tubs with 3 girls (+litters ) and can go a week before I can smell them (this is in a garage with little ventilation)


But you can also just clean them more frequently...I have never had any issues with touching or moving babies even right after they were born.

I also move babies, clean every Sunday without exception and it doesn't bother momma or babies.


OT - Chris, is there a thread somewhere about that hottie in your avatar that I missed? You know I love the reduceds!

Honestly its probably more of a new parent type thing for me, cuz the pups are about 2 weeks old now and the one time i did move them she kinda freaked out trying to rebuild a nest in a hurry. But yeah she tried to eat my finger the other night so not real excited about moving her anymore than i have to. So was more just kinda looking for any ideas that would make my life easier without having a smell.

We have a beige hooded thats a little nippy with babies (drew blood on me and my son) so we got some gardening gloves and it was business as usual. She just has one daughter left as a hold back, all the rest have fullfilled their destinys, and she has calmed down.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

OT - Chris, is there a thread somewhere about that hottie in your avatar that I missed? You know I love the reduceds!

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No Robin, but I had a sneaking suspicion that you would mention the avatar at some point :P LOL I have a few thousand pics on my drive, and I've just felt like switching up my avatar alot lately ;) Maybe one day I'll post some of them here

I'm a huge fan of the reduced patterns as well. I like to consider everyone of my "normals" anything but ;)

Back to the scheduled rat feces discussion.....

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Originally Posted by Uncle Festae

No Robin, but I had a sneaking suspicion that you would mention the avatar at some point :P LOL I have a few thousand pics on my drive, and I've just felt like switching up my avatar alot lately ;) Maybe one day I'll post some of them here

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I will wait with breathless anticipation for those posted pictures! :P

I know Emily uses stall dry under her rat's bedding and has reported it's very helpful for that issue. Personally I just clean as usual. I have a small holding box (plastic container with vent holes) and if momma rat is acting up I just pop it in front of her, tap her butt with the lid and she'll scurry in, out of my way and no chance to nip me if she's a mind too. The litter goes into a another similar box and gets checked over before they and their momma go back into their nice clean home.