The best rat litter is an indispensable thing in your pet’s cage. Not only is it a cozy bed for your pet, but it also keeps their habitat clean and free of unpleasant odors.
Rat goes to the toilet a lot and most of them smell very unpleasant. The best litter for rat will absorb waste and remove odors from those wastes. It also reduces the risk of producing waste-borne bacteria, which are very harmful to the health of the rat.
But there are lots of litter for rat on the market, which can be challenging for beginners. We have prepared a list of best rat litter and with some other helpful information.
Top 7 Best Rat Litter 2021 [Review]
#1 Healthy Pet HPCC Natural Bedding (Editor’s Choice)
Healthy Pet is a reputable manufacturer in this industry and you can count on their products. This natural bedding is a common litter and is suitable for any small animal, including rat.
This litter is made from wood-pulp, a natural and healthy ingredient in the rat. This product almost does not contain dust, so the ability to damage the respiratory system of the rat is almost zero.
This material is also very absorbent. It can absorb moisture 3 times its weight. That also means the this rat litter handles odors well.
This litter has been around for a long time, which allows you to use it more economically and does not take much time and effort to change the litter frequently. It also comes at a reasonable price.
However, we did not find any information about manufacturers not using any chemicals in their products.
#2 Fibrecycle USA Inc. Back-2-Nature Small Animal Bedding (Highly absorbent)
Fibrecycle USA Inc. is a well-known brand and if you want to find a product with a clear origin then this is a safe choice. It originated from the US and is guaranteed not to use any harmful chemicals during processing.
These recycled paper tablets work better than you might think. It absorbs moisture in waste extremely well, controls odor effectively, and is biodegradable.
This rat litter is almost dust free. You can easily replace and store it. In general it is hard to find this litter cons.
The only drawback of this product is the price. It is not an ideal budget option.
#3 Carefresh Small Pet Bedding (Natural paper fiber)
Carefresh is not an unfamiliar name and this litter from them is definitely a worthwhile product. It is a quality and safe litter for your rat, it is suitable for all other small animals as well.
This litter is a popular choice and receives a lot of positive reviews from customers. Derived from natural paper fiber, does not contain any chemicals, bleach, so it is very safe for your pet.
This product absorbs moisture very well, can absorb twice its weight. The problem of controlling odors from waste, or ammonia is also a plus, it can control odors effectively in 10 days.
This 99% litter is dust-free, and it is also biodegradable. It also comes at a decent price.
#4 Small Pet Select Natural Paper Bedding (Pure unbleached paper)
Small Pet Select is a manufacturer of lots of safe bedding for small animals and this is an ideal litter for your rat.
This litter is made from Pure unbleached paper, and has not gone through any printing yet. It is also textured well enough that your rat can burrow or hide. Soft material will not feel discomfort under the feet.
Besides, this rat litter has super absorbent capacity. You will not need to remove any dark paper debris. It also effectively controls odors.
However this litter is a bit dusty and you will realize that the most when pouring it out of the bag.
#5 Kaytee Clean & Cozy White Small Animal Bedding (Meets FDA standards)
If you want warm litter bedding and provide cleanliness to your living environment, there is no better option than this litter from Kaytee.
This litter is tested and meets FDA standards, which means the material that makes this product is completely safe for your rat. It is also prized for its odor control.
In particular, this litter is super absorbent, it can absorb liquid six times its weight. So it’s also an economical choice for those on a budget.
#6 Arm & Hammer Natural Paper Bedding (Heavy-duty use)
Arm & Hammer is not only famous for baking soda but this litter for small animal is also a popular product. And it is important that you can buy this product at local stores for a reasonable price.
This litter is safe to use for the rat. It does not contain harmful elements such as sludge, bleaching chemicals, recycled pulp like many other poor quality products.
Besides it contains baking soda, natural zeolite crystals as well as activated carbon to provide powerful odor control. It is also incredibly absorbent when it can absorb six to eight times its mass.
The texture of this litter is also a big plus because it is soft and super light. So your pet can freely burrow, hide or rest on it.
However, this litter has a slight odor, it can be annoying for many people with sensitive noses.
#7 Purina Yesterday’s News Non Clumping Paper Litter (No added fragrance)
Although it is advertised as litter for cats, this product is completely safe and suitable for use with your rat.
This litter is made from lump-free paper, which allows it to dry quickly and possibly last longer. The material of this litter also does not contain toxic chemicals so it does not affect the health of the pet.
The manufacturer also does not use fragrance for this product, it is completely natural and non-irritating.
This litter is also appreciated for its ability to absorb moisture. It can absorb 3 times its weight, ensuring a clean living environment.
You also don’t need to worry about this litter’s odor control. It can effectively control odors throughout the week.
But this litter is more expensive than small animal products. So if there is a heavy use, you should consider it carefully.
| Top Sales | Product Link Related to Article | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Oxbow Animal Health Oxbow Hay Western Timothy Hay | from $19.12 |
 | Kaytee FortiDiet ProHealth Rat/Mouse Food, 5 lbs. | from $8.49 |
 | Niteangel Small Animal Activity Toy, Fun Pet Balls | from $8.99 |
 | Kaytee Clean & Cozy Natural Small Animal Bedding | from $14.99 |
 | Living World Nibblers Corn Husk Pet Chew, Carrot | from $5.60 |
Why Do Rats Need Litter?
Litter is one of the indispensable things in rat’s cage. Why?
For those who are just starting out on a rat journey, the litter should be at the top of your must-buy list. Litter for rat offers a lot of benefits for your pet.
First, it plays an extremely important role in maintaining a clean living environment for your pet. Rat goes to the toilet many times a day, so the total number of times will create quite a large amount. If they don’t clean up quickly, they will create an unpleasant odor as well as produce bacteria.
However with the help of the best litter for rat, things will become a lot simpler. The litter will absorb moisture, odors from waste and maintain a dry, clean habitat for your pets.
Not only that, litter also acts as a foundation to protect the feet and other parts for the rat. When you put a litter of just enough thickness into the rat’s cage, your pet will have a smooth and effective protection.
And with that thickness, your pet will be satisfied with his burrowing and hiding instincts. They can also nest comfortably and rest in the litter. Rat loves to find nesting materials and you should not limit this instinct.
In general, the litter brings a lot of benefits to your rat. However, you should choose carefully to choose products that are safe and suitable for your pet. If you do not have experience in choosing litter for rat, you can refer to how to choose our best product below.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Rat Litter?
There are countless litter for rat on the market, they are diverse in quality, materials and price. However, not all are of the best quality, so you need to consider the criteria that a best rat litter should have.
Here are some basic criteria that you should look for in a safe and ideal litter for the rat.
#1 Material
First, let’s mention the litter material for the rat. There are many types of litter made from different materials. Manufacturers are often racing to offer a variety of products to their customers, since the list of ingredients gradually grows.
However, no matter what material you choose, you should pay attention to its safety first. The litter safe for the rat is natural, does not use harmful substances or any unhealthy ingredients.
Rats are rodents and they are more likely to nibble on their litter. So natural materials that do not adversely affect the rat’s digestive system when they are ingested is a top priority.
But you should especially avoid using pine and cedar wood as the litter for the rat. These are two natural ingredients that are not safe for rat’s health. Products containing the products of these two ingredients are also not safe for use.
#2 No dust
You should highly find litter free of dust or low dust. The litter is usually small pellets or crumbs to absorb moisture well, but that is also the reason why dust forms.
The dust in the litter affects the rat’s respiratory system directly and seriously. You know, I really like to burrow and hide in the litter, then dust from the litter will affect the nose, eyes and respiratory system of the rat.
Your pet has a higher chance of lung disease, irritation of the nasal mucosa or some more serious respiratory illness. More serious cases can lead to death.
So do not choose litter with too brittle texture or small particle size, these litter often cause a lot of dust, they will create dust during daily transportation and storage.
#3 No fragrance
The litter now used for pets mostly use scents such as perfume, coffee, fruit, wood, etc to suppress the smell of pets’ urine. Such litter may not be dangerous for dogs or cats, but it is not suitable for use with your rat.
The Rat has a very sensitive sense of smell, which can be said to be extremely sensitive. These chemical aromas irritate their nose and respiratory system. From there, the rat will become more uncomfortable and more susceptible to disease.
Some litter uses too much fragrance or a large proportion of them will negatively affect the rat’s health and mood.
Instead of using aromatherapy to drown out the smell of rat urine, you can use the litter that has a natural scent and is well absorbed. And please use vented cages instead of closed cages. The wire cage is the most ideal option.
#4 Friendliness
Besides the above criteria, a litter that provides friendliness, environmental friendliness, rat health and budget friendliness is the perfect choice.
Check if the litter texture is soft enough with rat or not. Also don’t forget to check the litter’s shape to see if it is sharp or it can hurt. Many manufacturers are not really careful in the processing phase so there are still many sharp fragments, branches, or any other material that can hurt. So you need to check carefully.
You should also choose the litter that is biodegradable, environmentally friendly. With these litter, after using you can throw it out without polluting the environment, some can even make organic fertilizer for plants.
Besides, the most expensive litter is not necessarily the best litter. You should also not invest too much money in the litter for the rat. There is a lot of quality and safe litter that comes with a decent price that you might be willing to pay over and over again.
Final Verdict
The Rat is a small, dynamic animal but they are also very sensitive. Investing in a safe and suitable litter is just as important as choosing their food. You really should put more attention into this matter.
Be a discerning customer when it comes to understanding what your pet needs and what to avoid. We have summarized the knowledge that we have learned through this article, and hope it will help you a lot in your journey with your pet!