I have just decided to start a monthly Rattery newsletter! Included in this edition:

Stay Current with Our Mischiefs

Never Before Seen Photos

What’s Up With The Packages?

What Are Alien Bones?

DIY Rat Cage

Treat Recipe: Blueberry Chia Seed Rat Donuts

ARatToy.com

DIY Rat Toy Showcase

Making Poplar Perches

What We Use As Bedding

Rat Of The Month

Featured Cage of the Month

Mischiefs Managed

On October 15th, the last of Mounika’s mischief departed for their new home!

Dumpling’s Mischief is almost gone, as well.

Zoe had her babies on October 15th, 2025 starting around noon. I was able to quickly count a healthy 8 on day one.

Here is them 24 hours after birth. These are the 7 girls and she had one little boy.

Currently there is an available space for females from Zoe x Eragon.

Our only other expecting mischief in the next couple of weeks is Bunny and Eragon.

The waitlist is open for Bunny x Eragon. 100% Dumbo & Silvermane to be expected. The spots for boys have been taken.

Why We Offer Packages

We are a licensed business! But not licensed to sell rats. However, there are no regulations where I live against how many rats can be owned.

So as a hobby rat breeder, who is very passionate about all-things-rat, I sell packages filled with items like hammocks, toys, treats, and more. I leave it open for you to choose the right package for you and your family.

And the rats, why they are given away for free with our packages! You must purchase a package from us, since we cannot sell rats. We appreciate your understanding & hope you think it’s as neat as we do.

What Are Alien Bones?

Typically seen advertised as “Alien Bones” for birds. This naturally fibrous plant is actually cholla cactus wood. It is lightweight, porous, and dense in some areas. Its hollowed-outness makes it a good foraging toy.

The cholla cactus is native to South Western United States and Northern Mexico. Alien bones are actually the remains of the gutted cactus plant. Their dense fiber comes from it being mostly the cellulose skeleton of the cactus.

DIY Rat Cage Idea

Here is the before picture, still amazing & inspirational:

Blueberry and Chia Seed Donuts

Let’s keep it simple, humans!

First and foremost, if you’re making rat treats please consider using Quinoa Flour. It’s a healthy, protein packed, gluten free option (you can usually use less of).

Secondly, you will need a donut shaped mold. Also a food processor or blender. Maybe a dehydrator… but like that’s it.

INGREDIENTS:

15 Organic Blueberries

1 TBS of Chia Seeds

1 Organic Egg

1 Tsp. Olive Oil

3 TBS of Quinoa Flour

1/4 Cup of Purified Water

Pinch of Crushed Rosemary (natural preservative)

First: Blend your blueberries with the chia seeds, rosemary, and egg.

Second: Move your blended mix, to another bowl. Whisk in water, quinoa flour, and olive oil. [I like to do the water last, so I can get the batter right every time. You may need to adjust water or flour accordingly]

Third: Add to your silicone mold, hopefully donut shaped, and then bake in your over at 350degrees for about 27 minutes.

Fourth: *After they have cooled down, remove them from the mold and add them to your dehydrator. This will help prolong freshness and add a crunch. *Helpful if you plan on making lots of treats at once.

Fifth: Make sure they are completely cooled down after dehydrating when adding to your container (to prevent molding.)

You can always learn how to make more rat treats, here.

ARatToy.com

I have just launched a new website, arattoy.com featuring over 100 rat safe toys, hammocks, and supplies!

Check out our collections! A lot of these toys are unique and only one-of-a-kind made.

DIY Rat Toy Showcase

If you’re interested in making your own rat toys, click here to learn more!

Making Poplar Perches

I finally talked my partner into helping me with the pet shop. Introducing new, 100% poplar wood, hand sanded and drilled by me, Jax. A two person job! (Because my partner, Kevin, cut the wood for me.

They ended up being 1 inch thick by 11 inches long by 4 inches wide.

Nail Set for Making Your Own Perches (Amazon)

Why choose poplar wood?

Poplar wood is from the Populus species of wood, similar to Aspen and Cottonwood. All three woods are considered rat safe.

The reason poplar is so widely accepted for small animals is its lack of aromas. It is also classified as hardwood. Unlike pine and cedar, which are soft, aromatic, and dangerous to rats.

Always make sure to use untreated, unvarnished poplar. And stay away from plywoods as they contain glues and toxic materials.

What We Use for Our Bedding

As far as bedding goes, we technically don’t use any. We always stay away from wood chips. Rather, each cage has tray liners and blankets. I make these by hand, shake them off, and reuse them until I can’t anymore. Occasionally I will buy small fleece blankets (from Amazon).

I also offer each cage nesting material, or shredded construction paper. It’s soft and does not stick to the baby rats we have.

Since we are also bedding free technically, I supply each rat with a litter box, fresh news “litter”, and a pee rock.

Rat of the Month: Kiwi

Kiwi and Koko (of Mounika’s munchkins) was adopted earlier this month!

Claudia is an exceptional human, who is going to be taking great care of her babies!

Kiwi was a very sweet little guy with a lot of love in his heart. His big dumbo ears leave you wanting more, and he has plenty to give! He’ll take your breath away with his cuteness, for sure.

If you have a cage, DIY project or rat you’d like us to feature, simply email: theratagenc@gmail.com with all the details! And you might be featured!

Featured Cage of the Month

Featuring Kai’s Amazing Cage (not just for Halloween) along with Callum and Allistar enjoying yogurt covered strawberries!