Even though they are scavengers by nature, rats make excellent pets with an exceptional capability to be trained, maintained, and socialized.
Giving them the proper litter setup and training them to use it properly are some of the many aspects required to maintain pet rats’ hygienic habitat.
To get you started in your search for the best rat litter and litter boxes, we have compiled a list of possible choices based on their features:
The 5 Best Rat Litter To Use
| Brand | Price | Material | Weight | |
| 1 | Kaytee Critter | $10.25 | Bentonite | 4, 8 (lbs) |
| 2 | Fhiny | $16.99 | Sodium-based ore, sepiolite | 5.5 (lbs) |
| 3 | Carefresh | $9.49 | Paper | 10, 23, 30, 50, 60 (L) |
| 4 | Oxbow | $10.49 | Wheat straw | 8, 20 (lbs) |
| 5 | Vitakraft | $12.80 | Paper | 975, 2130 (cu in) |
Kaytee Critter Litter Small Animal Premium Potty Training Litter
The brand Kaytee has been putting animals first in its run for over 150 years. Specializing in small animals and birds, it offers a diverse line of products including toys, treats, and litter like this one.
Oh and if you’re looking for pet rat toys, check out this article! We’ve mentioned Kaytee before there.
This premium potty training litter from its Critter Litter series lets your pet do its business comfortably and sanitarily. It is made from 100% non-toxic bentonite that includes natural minerals. Such non-toxic materials keep the experience safe for your rat.
It can absorb moisture 10 times its weight. By absorbing the moisture on contact, it helps you to control the waste odor. Additionally, its special formula keeps it 99% free of dust.
Fill 1.5 to 2 inches of the litter box with this material to train your pet and try to replace it every 2-3 days.
You will find them in two sizes of 4 lbs and 8 lbs. So you can choose the one that best suits your rat’s size and your litter box’s dimensions.
Features:
- Comes in two sizes of 4 lbs and 8 lbs
- Consists of non-toxic bentonite
- Contains all-natural minerals
- Absorbs moisture on contact
- 99% dust-free with a special formula
Fhiny Sand Training Litter
Fhiny brings this litter for hamsters, rabbits, and rats in a cute package. You will get to see the pictorial instructions on how to use it there.
Simply place it in an appropriate litter box covering 1-2 inches of the space.
It comes in two varieties of toilet sand and fine sand. As you may have guessed, the latter is finer in texture while the former looks more like small stones or pellets. Each pack contains 5.5 lbs of content.
The litter is made with a careful concoction of chemicals like sepiolite, sodium-based ore, silver ion, and activated carbon.
All these elements give it the strength to absorb both moisture and water. After coming in contact with them, the sand forms a ball and helps you to clean up later more easily.
This sand locks in the unpleasant smell before it can reach other corners of your house. Along with reducing odor emission, such mixed litter is also effective at preventing dust formation.
Features:
- Each pack contains 5.5 lbs of litter
- Comes in two textures – fine and toilet sand
- Consists of sepiolite and sodium-based ore
- Strong absorption of moisture and water
- Controls odor and prevents dust
Carefresh 99% Dust-Free Natural Paper Small Pet Bedding
Carefresh is a brand of the Healthy Pet company. It prides itself on being the only brand that makes its animal products from scratch.
One of their popular pieces is the small pet bedding or litter.
It is made from 100% natural paper fiber. With its “comfyfluff” feature, this litter gives your precious pet the comfort of soft pillows.
It works great for rats who have sensitive feet and need the litter to be gentle to their paws. Its texture makes tunneling and burrowing easier for rodent pets.
The litter promises to be twice more absorbent than shavings and to keep your rat dry.
Moreover, its special formula can suppress ammonia odors for as long as 10 days. Being biodegradable and compostable, it is safe for the planet as well.
You will find this in six sizes or volumes of 10 L, 14 L, 23 L, 30 L, 50 L, and 60 L. As a result, you can find the perfect fit for your rat and won’t need to spend more than its requirements.
Features:
- Available in six sizes between 10 L and 60 L
- Made from natural paper fiber
- 2x more absorbent than shavings
- Gentle Comfyfluff texture for sensitive feet
- Suppresses ammonia odor for up to 10 days
Oxbow Eco-Straw Wheat Straw Litter
Oxbow is a well-known brand from Omaha, Nebraska, that specializes in making products for rodent pets.
After bringing several paper-based litters over the years, they have launched their environment-friendly alternative to traditional litters. It is called Eco-Straw because it is made from 100% wheat straw.
The absorption power of this all-natural litter is double of newspaper-based litter. It can also absorb three times its weight in moisture.
You can rely on it to get rid of odor naturally as well. After being composted, it can benefit the soil as a fertilizer. You can flush this dust-free litter in small amounts.
Compared to traditional litter, it tends to last longer and serve your rat for days. Its pellets expand and stay together after coming in contact with moisture.
So you can scoop and remove the soiled areas regularly. This eco-friendly non-toxic litter comes in the sizes of 8 lbs and 20 lbs.
Features:
- Available in two sizes of 8 lbs and 20 lbs
- All-natural, made from 100% wheat straw
- Can absorb moisture three times its weight
- Twice more absorbent than paper-based litter
- Environment-friendly, durable, and dust-free
Vitakraft Fresh World Strength Crumble Bedding
The German brand Vitakraft maintains sustainability as one of its top priorities.
Among its many environment-friendly animal products launched in the last two centuries, there is the Fresh World litter that focuses on making your life as a pet owner easier.
It is made of recycled paper entirely. However, that does not compromise its absorption power.
Made with the Ultra Strength formula, this heavy litter can absorb up to three times its weight.
With regular spot cleaning, its superior odor control will keep the bad smell from getting into your home for up to two weeks.
Since it is compostable and biodegradable, you don’t have to feel guilty about harming the environment in any way.
For further convenience during the cleanup, this low-maintenance litter is 99.5% dust-free. You can get it in two sizes – 975 cubic inches and 2,130 cubic inches.
Features:
- Available in two sizes of 975 and 2130 cubic inches
- Environment-friendly since made from recycled paper
- Provides odor control for up to 14 days
- Heavy litter can absorb up to 3x its weight
- 99.5% dust-free with low maintenance
4 Best Rat Litter Boxes
| Brand | Price | Shape | Colors | Dimensions (in) | |
| 1 | Lixit | $14.99 | Triangle | Pink, Blue, Green | 12×10 |
| 2 | Kathson | $18.99 | Rectangle | Pink, Blue | 11 x 9 x 6.3 |
| 3 | Hamiledyi | $15.99 | Rectangle | Pink, Blue | 11 x 9.1 x 5.9 |
| 4 | Hypeety | $10.90 | Triangle | Pink, Blue, Yellow | 9.43 x 7.07 x 4.32 |
Lixit Corner Litter Pan
Lixit is a brand from Belgium that focuses on creating high-quality animal products at affordable price points.
They made this corner litter pan in an adorable and convenient design. Its triangular shape makes it easier for the rat to use it and for you to set it up in the cage’s corner.
The front opening is just an inch in height.
The pan comes in three colors: blue, pink, and green. These vibrant colors can add to the cage decoration.
Its body is made from non-toxic plastic which ensures safety for the environment. This material also makes the pan last longer.
To clean the pan, just dump the soiled sand or hay and rinse it.
Features:
- Comes in three colors: blue, pink, and green
- Triangular shape to fit any corner
- Made of durable non-toxic plastic
- Design makes it easy to clean, use and set up
Kathson Litter Box Potty Training Corner Pan with Grate
The litter box from Kathson can accommodate rats, rabbits, and guinea pigs alike to do their business.
These boxes are a bit larger than the usual pans built for pets like rats. In terms of length and width, they measure 11 inches and 9 inches respectively.
So your adorable companion can fit in there easily!
Even though they are made of plastic, it is not the kind that can harm the environment. Its material is durable and environment-friendly plastic.
Metal hangers are attached to the back for easy setup in the cage.
The high fence gives your pet much-needed privacy and the six supporting points on its upper tray carry the rat’s weight.
Its design makes the cleaning job much easier for you. You can detach the upper tray and rinse it with water.
The box has a fixed clasp to prevent the rat from knocking it over and spreading the waste everywhere in its cage.
Besides, there is a scooper included in the package. You can use it to lift their droppings from the litter box.
Moreover, the rounded and curved edges of this box will keep your pet safe from getting scratches on its feet. This litter box comes in two soothing colors: pink and blue.
Features:
- Comes in two colors: pink and blue
- Made from environmental plastic
- Six supporting points on upper tray
- Rounded edges to prevent feet scratches
- Comes with a scooper for easy cleanup
Hamiledyi Small Animal Litter Box
Hamiledyi brings in a small animal litter box that provides your pet with ample privacy.
Similar to the previous litter box, this rectangular box also measures 11 inches in length and around 9 inches in width. This way, the rat can sit here without struggling to find room.
It is built from durable and sturdy plastic of the best quality. Since its non-stick surface resists stain and odor, you will have an easier time cleaning up this box.
The hygienic design includes an upper tray with large mesh holes so that you can get rid of the waste effortlessly.
There is also a scooper in its package to make the removal simpler!
You can easily secure it in your rat’s cage with the buckles attached to this box and the cross lock feature.
There are smooth guardrails on both sides of this toilet. They stop the urine from spreading to other places.
Again, it comes in two colors: pink and blue.
Features:
- Resistant to odor and stain
- Made of durable and sturdy plastic
- Buckle attached to secure in cage
- Smooth guardrail on both sides
- Scooper included for easy cleanup
Hypeety Pet Toilet Small Animal Litter Tray Corner
Hypeety brings pretty small animal litter trays in three bright colors of pink, blue, and yellow.
These triangular boxes are ideal for smaller rats who can easily fit inside an area of 9x7x4 inches approximately.
They are made of durable plastic that is safe for pets like rats. Cleaning and maintaining it becomes easy because of the non-stick surface.
Additionally, each has a white upper tray to help you remove your pet’s waste with the least amount of effort.
You can easily attach it inside their cage with the hooks and holes included in its design. These prevent the tray from sliding.
Features:
- Comes in three colors: pink, blue, and yellow
- Small size of approximately 9x7x4 inches
- Non-stick surface for easy maintenance
- Made of durable and pet-safe plastic
- Hooks and holes for cage attachment
What Do You Put In A Rat Litter Box?
Most commercial rat litters are made of paper, straw, and wood shavings. Along with such readymade litters available on the market, you can also prepare DIY litters at home.
These may include items like shredded paper, paper towels, toilet tissue, hay, and crushed walnut shells.
If you want to use hardwood, however, make sure they do not generate noxious fumes. Some safe hardwood options include oak, aspen, and ash.
Never use dangerous materials like pine, spruce, cotton floss, cedar, and aromatic softwoods.
Cedar can damage your rat’s liver, cotton floss can restrict blood flow, and the wood can make it wheeze.
Another material to avoid is corncob since it can grow mold if left wet for too long.
Can I Use Kitty Litter For My Rats?
While the litter for cats and rats may look similar from a distance, you should not use kitty litter for your rat.
Since your pet is much smaller in size and deals with a different set of physical restrictions, the cat litter will usually turn out to be unsuitable for it.
Additionally, they can have elements like dust, clumping agents, and deodorizers which are harmful to rats.
For instance, clay litters can produce a lot of dust, which can then be ingested by your pet and cause a blockage.
How Big Should A Litter Box Be?
Keeping the typical size of a rat in mind, we would recommend a litter box that is 11 inches long and 9 inches wide.
The size of its cage also matters if you are going to place this box inside it. In general, a cage should have one litter box in one corner.
But if you want to keep more than one rat in it, you can either invest in one larger box or place two separate ones in two different corners.
This way your pet rats have different places in their cage, where they can relieve themselves!
How Often Should You Change Rat Litter?
Similar to any uneaten food and droppings in the cage, the soiled litter should also be removed every day.
You can clean the cage and replace its litter twice a week for the best results.
Even if your litter says that it will keep the odor down for two weeks or so, replacing it every 2-3 days will be the most hygienic routine.
How To Litter Train Your Pet Rat?
Litter training a pet rat (click for a full guide) is quite straightforward. Place your chosen litter box in your pet rat’s cage or its habitat. This will help them become familiar with the box’s presence.
Now, keep putting the rat’s droppings in this box and they will soon understand where their waste should go.
When you see your pet starting to use the litter, reward them with some of their favorite treats.
Pet rats also tend to choose a specific place in their cage to use as a bathroom. So it’s a good idea to place the litter box in that same spot, so it’s easier for them to understand the purpose of that new box!
At the end of the day, picking the best rat litter and litter boxes for your pet is up to you.
You can give them the perfect combination of hygiene and comfort while being an informed and responsible pet parent.
Make sure to check the materials the litter or box is made of. The wrong choice can put the rat in a hazardous condition.
Once you introduce them to their new litter area, they will be thankful for the safe, cozy, and convenient setup.
They will not be bothered by wet bedding or harmful fumes anymore.
Again, be sure to check this article for a complete guide on how to litter train your pet rat!
