This is such a hard topic because there can be so many factors in a rat's environment that can cause sneezing (bedding, perfumes, air fresheners, dust, etc) so it is hard to pinpoint. Good that you have them on meds for their sneezing but if it is still there and not completely gone, well that is a hard one. Rats are so sensitive with their respiratory systems so little things can set them off. Could there be any mold issues from the dampness caused by spraying down the Carefresh? Just thinking out loud here. I am sure you will get some good advice on this forum once others see your post. Sounds like you are trying very hard to get this figured out. I feel for you!
Posts by Vladina
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I know, we all hate it when we see our sweet rat babies sneezing, don't we? 
In regards to your question about fleece (and I know you will get great advice from Breyer again on this!) I used to pretty much do what you suggested....I had stacks and stacks of ratty fleece and flannel on a shelf and I would basically do a sniff test on all their bedding every day and change anything that smelled a bit "ripe". So a quick change every day or every other day, depending on which pieces of fleece in their housing smelled a bit. So, several changes a week, sometimes daily for me! Lots of ratty laundry at the end of the week! But I liked keeping their house nice and dry and fresh every day so it was never a bother. Some people don't like to use things like towels or washcloths as depending on the type of towelling, the little loops can get tangled in ratty toenails, but I did find some nice towels at thrift stores that were not "loopy" and I would use different sizes for different parts of their housing areas. But you do need to be careful not to get any towelling or fabric that has a lot of little loops in it. Fleece and flannel are always safe!
In regards to your question about fleece (and I know you will get great advice from Breyer again on this!) I used to pretty much do what you suggested....I had stacks and stacks of ratty fleece and flannel on a shelf and I would basically do a sniff test on all their bedding every day and change anything that smelled a bit "ripe". So a quick change every day or every other day, depending on which pieces of fleece in their housing smelled a bit. So, several changes a week, sometimes daily for me! Lots of ratty laundry at the end of the week! But I liked keeping their house nice and dry and fresh every day so it was never a bother. Some people don't like to use things like towels or washcloths as depending on the type of towelling, the little loops can get tangled in ratty toenails, but I did find some nice towels at thrift stores that were not "loopy" and I would use different sizes for different parts of their housing areas. But you do need to be careful not to get any towelling or fabric that has a lot of little loops in it. Fleece and flannel are always safe!
Ahh! Just saw Breyer's post, yay! She has great advice!
She reminded me...yes, unscented baby wipes with no fragrance in them are GREAT for spot cleaning places in your rats' housing. They are the best for wiping down surfaces and keeping your babies safe from harmful chemicals. I loved em.
She reminded me...yes, unscented baby wipes with no fragrance in them are GREAT for spot cleaning places in your rats' housing. They are the best for wiping down surfaces and keeping your babies safe from harmful chemicals. I loved em.
Heh heh, don't worry, my two boy rats Klausse and Wolfgang decided that they loved to play "litter box basketball" and they would always pick up their little cat toy jingle balls and put them into their litter box. It was the cutest thing. They just decided that "these go heres!!" Rats will do that!
A good tip for helping them with using the litter box, is to see if you can notice an area of their housing that they tend to leave their droppings/poops and pick THAT area for where the litter box goes. Put it where you think they naturally tend to poop the most. It could help! Also, when you see their droppings around their house, put a few in their litter box to prompt them in the direction of where they should be going.
Rats will do that!A good tip for helping them with using the litter box, is to see if you can notice an area of their housing that they tend to leave their droppings/poops and pick THAT area for where the litter box goes. Put it where you think they naturally tend to poop the most. It could help! Also, when you see their droppings around their house, put a few in their litter box to prompt them in the direction of where they should be going.
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