Building a “Rat Car” might sound whimsical, but it’s actually a fantastic DIY project to provide enrichment and mental stimulation for your pet rats. This guide will walk you through the steps to create a safe and engaging “rat car” using simple materials. Get ready to become the ultimate rat car mechanic!
Step 1: Prepare the Chassis – Cutting the Front Window
Start by taking a plastic food container, which will serve as the body of your rat car. Carefully cut out a front window. The size and placement of this window are crucial. It should be large enough for your rat to comfortably see and smell their surroundings, enhancing their driving experience, but not so large that it compromises the structural integrity of the container. A window approximately 4” x 3.5” worked well for our canister.
Pro Tip: Consider starting with just the front window. This allows your rat to get accustomed to moving forward in their car. You can always add side windows and steering mechanisms later as your rat becomes a more confident driver.
Step 2: Smooth Out the Edges for Safety
Safety is paramount when building anything for your pet. After cutting the window, thoroughly file down any sharp plastic edges. This step ensures that your rat won’t accidentally scratch or injure themselves while interacting with their new car.
Step 3: Install Wire Bars – Choosing the Right Placement
Next, decide on the placement of the wire bars. Horizontal bars are generally recommended as they are easier for rats to grip. Install several bars at varying heights. This thoughtful design caters to your rat’s comfort whether they prefer to crouch or stand while “driving.” Remember to consider the growth of rat pups if applicable; they will appreciate bars at different levels as they mature. Spacing the bars about 1” apart is generally suitable.
Pro Tips for Wire Bars: Horizontal bars are rat-friendly. Opt for wire that’s bendable yet sturdy enough for a rat’s grip, avoiding anything too thin or uncomfortable. Crucially, ensure your rat can only enter and exit through the back opening, preventing them from crawling between the bars and potentially causing the car to move unexpectedly while they are partially outside.
Step 4: Threading and Securing the Wire Bars
Thread the wire through the pre-determined holes to create the bars. Using one continuous piece of wire to create multiple bars can be efficient. Double-check and ensure there are absolutely no sharp points left exposed that could harm you or your pet rat.
Step 5: Connecting Control Wires to Copper Bars
Attach an insulated wire to your copper bars. These will eventually connect to the forward control wire from your breadboard if you are adding electronic control.
Handy Tip for Wiring: Use the same color wire for the copper bars and the forward control wire. This simple step will save you confusion and simplify the wiring process later on.
Step 6: Create and Position the Metal Floor Plate
Craft a metal floor plate that fits snugly inside the container, covering most of the floor but still able to be inserted through the opening. Aluminum is a good choice for this. Solder a wire to the underside of this metal floor plate.
Wiring Tip: Use the same color wire for the floor plate as the wire coming from the Arduino’s 5V. Consistent wire colors will make connecting everything much easier.
Step 7: Drill a Hole for the Floor Plate Wire
Drill a hole in the side of the container, near the floor. This hole is for threading the wire from the metal floor plate.
Practical Tips for the Wire Hole: Avoid drilling the hole directly on the floor of the container. This prevents any rat urine from leaking out. Make the hole large enough to accommodate a connector on the wire later. This will be helpful for cleaning and maintenance.
Step 8: Attach the Floor Plate with Velcro
Use Velcro to secure the metal plate to the bottom of the container. Velcro allows for a stable floor that is also easily removable. This is essential for cleaning the rat car and keeping it hygienic for your pet.
With these steps, you’ve successfully built the basic structure of a rat car! This DIY project is a great way to bond with your pet rat while providing them with a stimulating and entertaining new toy. Remember to always supervise your rat when they are interacting with their car and ensure all components are safe and secure. Enjoy watching your furry friend become a “rat car” enthusiast!
