How to stop pet rats from smelling

Rats are slightly more unusual pets compared to the traditional pooches and moggies most of us love. That doesn’t stop them being great companions that are smart and full of personality. With any pet, you’re going to come across a mess you have to clean up and some unpleasant whiffs that you’d rather not.

If you need tips and tricks to stop pongs from your pet rat, read our guide on how to do it with Bio one™, why rats smell, when to bathe them and the best bedding to use.

Understanding the impact of rat urine odour

Rat urine odour is more than just a nuisance; it can also have adverse effects on your health and well-being. The ammonia present in rodent urine can cause respiratory issues and exacerbate allergies, particularly in enclosed spaces. Furthermore, the odour itself can be highly unpleasant, making it essential to address the root cause of the problem. Understanding the impact of rat urine odour is the first step towards effective elimination. Rat urine emits a pungent, persistent smell that can permeate various surfaces, making it challenging to eradicate. The odour can linger in hidden nooks and crannies, as well as porous materials, exacerbating the problem. Whether it’s in your pet’s cage, or unwanted visitors in the attic, basement, or other hard-to-reach areas, identifying the presence of rat urine is crucial to implementing targeted elimination strategies.

Health risks associated with exposure to rat urine

Exposure to rat urine can pose significant health risks, particularly when the odour is persistent and pervasive. The ammonia in rodent urine can irritate the respiratory system, leading to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Furthermore, prolonged exposure to rat urine odour can exacerbate allergies and asthma, particularly in individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

In addition to respiratory issues, contact with rat urine can also increase the risk of contracting leptospirosis, a bacterial infection transmitted through the urine of infected animals. This potentially serious condition can lead to symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, and in severe cases, organ damage. Addressing the health risks associated with exposure to rat urine is paramount in creating a safe and healthy living environment.

Why do my rats stink?

One of the most common causes of a stinky rat is their pee. It’s actually more unpleasant and pungent than their poop as the ammonia quickly develops to create a strong smell. Male rats also mark their territory, and they don’t hold back from doing it on any surface. Removing and refreshing bedding daily plus wiping down any areas your rat wees or sprays on should help. Rats are super clever so they can be litter trained. Doing this will mean their mess is generally contained in one area that you can easily clean.

How to stop pet rats from smelling

Rats themselves aren’t naturally stinky. So, the best way to stop your pet rat smelling isn’t by bathing it. It’s by making sure its house, bed or any surfaces it comes into contact with are completely spotless. You need to clean regularly but the frequency depends on the size of the cage and number of rats. Roughly once a week is a good starting point. Never use aerosol air fresheners or scented bedding as it can be harmful to the rodents’ sensitive respiratory systems and it’s a temporary fix not a solution.

Why should you use Bio one™ to remove rat smells?

Bio one™ enzymatic cleaner is the ideal pet odour eliminator. That’s because it tackles dirt, debris and bad smells at the root and banishes them for good. It does this by using natural and organic enzymes to deodorise, degrease and disinfect surfaces, leaving them totally safe and bacteria free. The product is planet and pet-friendly as it’s vegan and free from chemicals plus it uses natural lemon and orange oils to leave a sweet-smelling fragrance.

Bio one™ to remove rat smells:

^{Bio one™} is the best product for the job as it’s especially designed to remove smells and kill 99% of bacteria. Here’s how to use it:

1. First up, remove and throw away any disposable bedding like pellets or shredded cardboard. Take out any toys or furniture from their cage and clean them thoroughly with a cloth or paper towel soaked in Bio one™ .
2. Get rid of any debris like rat poop or food and wipe up water bowl spills or urine. If your rat uses a litter box, remove that, refresh it and pop it back in after cleaning.
3. Spray any hard or soft areas that your rat touches with Bio one™ . Make sure they’re totally covered and the soft furnishings are damp to the touch.
4. Leave the product on the affected areas for five to ten minutes to soak in and start working.
5. If the smells have lifted, remove any excess and allow it to dry. If you think it needs an extra spray, respray the area and leave for a further five minutes.
6. After a respray, remove excess and leave to dry. 

DIY remedies for removing rat urine smell

DIY remedies for removing rat urine smell offer cost-effective and accessible solutions for combating the persistent odour. Baking soda, a household staple known for its odour-absorbing properties, can be sprinkled on affected surfaces and left to sit before being vacuumed up. This can help neutralise the smell and absorb residual odours, particularly on carpets and upholstery.

Hydrogen peroxide and dish soap can also be combined to create a potent cleaning solution for urine-stained surfaces. This DIY mixture can help to break down the components of rat urine and eliminate the associated odour. Additionally, essential oils, such as tea tree oil or lavender oil, can be added to homemade cleaning solutions to impart a pleasant fragrance while combating the persistent smell of rat urine. The issue with some of these DIY remedies can always be the harshness and impact of chemicals around your home, which is why Bio one™ Pet odour remover is a perfect solution that is effective and natural.

How often should I bathe my rat?

 As we mentioned above, usually the bad smells aren’t coming directly from your rat. They’re pretty good at self-cleaning and if they’re washed too often, they will release any lost oils from their body which can create a stronger pong. However, if they do get themselves covered in muck or walk through their own mess, they might need a freshen up. If they aren’t dirty but you’d like to bathe them regularly, do it no more than once a month. Make sure they’re used to water first, do it in a small sink and only use products that are safe for their skin. You can also try dry cleaning with special products and wipes to avoid causing them stress.

What kind of bedding is best for rats?

 Although it’s cosy for your pet, bedding like cloth or fleece is much worse at soaking up and holding onto stains and odours. Disposable bedding like paper, cardboard or pellets can be removed and refreshed daily which will really help with easy cleaning and removing smells. Wash cardboard or wooden toys thoroughly and regularly plus avoid keeping any soft fabric in their cage to limit the risk of potential pongs.

What are enzymes?

Don’t be fooled to think that because enzymes are natural they are less effective than chemical cleaners. Enzymes are nature’s very own powerful cleaning tools. Making them the go to choice for pet owners who do not want to spray harmful chemicals around their pets and their home.

Simply put, enzymes are all around us performing millions of important tasks in our bodies and in nature every single day. They are a type of protein that act like a biological catalyst to speed up the break down of organic compounds.

Similarly to how saliva, (which contains enzymes), initiates the digestion process by breaking down food in our mouths, cleaning enzymes use the same ‘enzymatic digestion’ to effectively break down and eradicate the organic proteins present in urine, faeces, vomit, drool, dirt, food, and more.

This process not only makes cleaning easier but also prevents the growth of bad bacteria – the root cause of those unpleasant odours – in the air, on surfaces, and within the fibres of your soft furnishings.

Try out Bio one™ today, vomit and the other nasties is what nature created enzymes for.