The rat bedding is not very expensive but you also can save noticeable amount of money over the course of a year. For those who are tight on a budget or if you have a large number of rats, it is a great choice to make your own bedding.
Not only that, recycling things around you to use as bedding is the good way to protect environment because you can compost the soiled bedding later. Aside from best rat bedding that are sold on the market, homemade bedding also should be considered.
#1 Newspaper & paper
You can lay newspaper or paper in the bottom of the cage but it is better, softer to be torn into thin strips. You can shred it by hand or use the shredder. If you use newspaper, ensure that it is printed with soy ink for the safety of your rats as some ink can be toxic when ingested.
The benefit of paper is that it creates very little dust, allow rat to dig or burrow into them. However, it is not very good at absorbent.
#2 Toilet Tissue & Paper Towels
If you are looking for the comfortable and super soft bedding, then this is what you need. You probably have plenty of supplies already. Apart from plain white toilet or kitchen paper torn into thin strips forms, you can also let your rat tear it themselves and having fun.
However, the drawback is that toilet tissue and paper towels cannot last for long, and you may have to replace them frequently.
#3 Cloth
Cloth is also the material that always available around you. You can take old t-shirts and pants and then cut them into strips, place in the rat cage. Remember to use the fabric that doesn’t have a lot of loose threads.
Cloth can also be washed and reused. Take all the small pieces of cloth into the mesh laundry bag and then wash with washing machine. It will creates a soft and dust free bedding.
#4 Cardboard
Old cartons, egg boxes or the tubes from toilet paper can be tear and use for rat bedding. It is not create the perfect comfortable bottom for your rat but it absorb very well. Tearing the cardboard into small pieces about two inches and place into the rat cage.