Setting up a proper cage is the first step in caring for a pet rat.It is a good idea to build a rat-friendly playhouse for it to run around in when it is outside the cage.You can build a simple rat house out of cardboard boxes or craft sticks, then expand upon it and make it your own.
Step 1: There are two cardboard boxes that are roughly the same size.
Online delivery boxes are a great choice, but really any type of sturdy cardboard box will do.Make sure they are large enough for your rat to move around comfortably in.When you expand your rat house, you will find many types of cardboard boxes that make useful building materials.
Step 2: Remove the top flaps, seal them, and cut skylights into them.
If you want a clear view of your rat at all times, just cut away the top flaps of both boxes with scissors or a pen-style crafting knife.If your rat prefers a bit of cover, consider taping the top flaps closed with packing tape and cutting skylights into each box.Use a ruler to draw a 3–4 in square on one of the top flaps, or use the lid from an oatmeal can to trace a round skylight.Carefully cut out the skylights with a knife.You should be able to see your rat inside the house at all times.
Step 3: The doorways should be cut into one side of each box.
To cut a 4 in (10 cm) square doorway into two boxes, use a ruler and a crafting knife.An oatmeal can can be used to trace doorways into the sides.Make both of them the same size.The bottom of the box needs to be aligned with each one.When you stick the boxes together, they'll line up properly.
Step 4: Glue or tape the boxes together.
The doorways should be lined up just right if the 2 boxes are positioned side-by-side.Either squeeze some white school glue between the walls and press them together or use packing tape to secure the boxes.Measure carefully when locating your doorways if you have 2 identical boxes.
Step 5: The windows should be cut into the walls of the boxes.
Cut a square of windows into the sides of the boxes.These will make the boxes look and feel more home-like.You can make a window out of 4 smaller squares, with thin strips of cardboard left between them, so that you have a divided light window.To make sure your rat can't get out of the rat house, always put it inside an escape-proof area.
Step 6: If you want, you can connect another box with an oatmeal can.
The bottom of a cardboard oatmeal can can be cut with a crafting knife.The can's shape can be traced onto an outer wall of the house as well as on an additional box.Cut out the circles so that they are less than 1.3 cm in diameter.Attach the can to each box with packing tape or hot glue.Follow all safety precautions before using a hot glue gun.Rats don't like dried glue on the house so keep a close eye on them.
Step 7: New boxes and accessories are needed to expand your rat house.
You will find it hard to stop once you add on to your rat house.Add on some smaller rooms made of boxes.It could be turned into a multi-level house with boxes stacked on top of each other.To create access between levels, make ramps out of sturdy pieces of cardboard, or hot glue craft sticks together to make a ladder.A rat neighborhood can be created by glueing multiple houses onto a large sheet of cardboard.You can make sidewalks with craft sticks.
Step 8: jumbo craft sticks are a good building material.
People call them Popsicle sticks, but don't think you have to eat box after box of frozen treats to get a bunch of them!You can buy jumbo size craft sticks at any crafting supplies retailer or online.If you want to make a small rat house, you will need around 200 crafting sticks.
Step 9: There are craft sticks on a piece of cardboard.
Cut the rounded ends off of the craft sticks with crafting scissors.Hot glue them down in 2 rows of 15 on a thick piece of cardboard that is at least 12 in 12 in (30 cm) in size.The floor should be about 27 cm in length.If you want to leave it as-is, trim off any excess cardboard around the craft sticks with a pen-style crafting knife after the glue has dried.If you want to make your flooring look better, cut 15 of the craft sticks in half.Then alternate your flooring rows between 2 sticks and 1 stick in line.
Step 10: Out of rows of craft sticks, create 2 side walls.
You can make a wall by laying down 15 sticks.Place the flat ends of the 2 sticks side-by-side on the 15 sticks after cutting one rounded end off of each of 4 craft sticks.The craft sticks should be Glued along the bottom in the same way.The other side wall can be made by repeating the process.If you want to add windows or doors to the side walls, follow the instructions in the method for making the front and back walls.For now, put the walls aside.
Step 11: Two windows are cut out of the back wall.
Cut the sticks into 3 equal sections and discard the center sections.Line up 2 whole craft sticks, 4 of the tops and bottoms, and 3 whole sticks.Glue the side walls on top and bottom with 2 craft sticks.Cut craft sticks to size and glue them around the opening of the windows.It looks nice, and it gives them greater structural integrity.
Step 12: The front wall should have a door and window.
You should lay out the front wall the same way you did the back wall, but use only the top third of the craft sticks to open the door.Glue 2 craft sticks across the top to secure the wall, then glue one whole and one trimmed stick to the bottom, leaving a gap for the door opening.The door has trim pieces made of craft sticks.This wall should be set aside as well.
Step 13: There is an optional front door for your rat house.
If you want to add a swinging door, cut 3 sticks in half and lay them side by side, facing down.Glue the stick across the top.Attach a pair of 1 in lengths of string to the door.Glue the strings to the top of the frame for the door opening when you build the house.
Step 14: Put the walls in place.
Stand one wall upright and run hot glue along its base on the craft stick floor.When the glue dries enough to hold that wall upright, glue an adjacent wall in place in the same way, then glue the 2 walls together where they meet.The process can be repeated with the other walls.It is easier if you have a second set of hands.Make sure the helpers know how to stay safe around hot glue guns and glue.
Step 15: A flat roof can be built.
The craft sticks have one rounded edge.If you want the flat ends to be touching, lay them out in 2 rows.Glue 2 sticks across the top, middle, and bottom of the flat roof to support it.Attach 2 more trimmed sticks across the middle of the area where the 2 rows of 15 sticks meet.If you want to see what your rats are up to, you can put this roof on top of the house.You may want to try making a sloped roof in the future.You can use craft sticks to make fences, walkways, ladders, new rooms and levels, and all kinds of pretty additions.