(by 3 people)
Introduction
A rat cage can be one of the biggest expenses in owning a pet rat. Unless you allow your rats to free range (see below), they're going to be spending a good deal of their lives in a cage, which is why it's important to do some research first. Think about it -- if you were house-hunting, you wouldn't buy the first house the realtor showed you, would you? I'd hope not! No, you'd look around to try to find the best home for your particular situation. Just think of this Guide as your own Rat Cage Realtor.
Free-Ranging
Some rat owners choose to give their rats free roam in a specific area of their home rather than keeping them locked in a cage. Free-ranging is not for everybody, especially if you have other pets that could potentially hurt your rats.If you allow your rats to free range, you'll have to rat-proof the area you give them access to. This means keeping all electrical wires and other dangerous objects, such as things that could be harmful if ingested, out of reach. Also look out for holes they might escape into or out of.
Even if you allow your rat to free range all the time, it's still a good idea to have a cage for them to return to when they're tired or scared. Also, it's a good idea to return them to their cage if you're going to be leaving the house, or if you'll be having visitors that aren't used to rats.
Size Matters
However, a giant cage is useless if much of the space is wasted. If you have a tall cage, be sure to utilize the height by adding lots of shelves and hammocks for the rats to jump and play on. Shorter, wide cages can also work, but remember that most rats love to climb. However, long single level cages can be ideal for those rats who have difficulty climbing, such as older rats or ones with hind-leg paralysis.
Cage Calculators
Cage Calculators can be great for getting an idea of how many rats can fit comfortably in a cage.
Ratty Corner Cage Calculator
A very simple Cage Calculator that lets you enter more...0 points
Fancy Rats Cage Calculator
Much like the Ratty Corner Cage Calculator, only t more...0 points
Ratz R Us Rat Cage Calculator
This calculator also lets you factor in individual more...0 points
Shelves: Solid or Wire?
The two main types of cages available come with solid or wire shelving. Wire shelving is good in theory, because it allows all waste to drop to the bottom of the cage to prevent the animal from constantly walking in it. However, wire shelving can irritate the bottom of a rat's foot, and in some cases can even trap a rat's foot, causing injury. Cages with 1" by 1/2" wire mesh shelves are especially prone to this.To prevent injury to their pets, many people choose to cover the wire flooring. Mesh needlepoint canvas can be wired to the shelf with twist ties, providing a softer walking surface while still allowing urine to pass through. Alternately, you can cover the shelf with tiling or fabric, as long as you make sure to change it or wipe it down whenever it becomes soiled.
What about aquariums?
There are a number of "tank toppers" available, which are basically wire cages that can be set on top of an aquarium to provide an extra level. Not only does this give more living space, but it allows the rat to receive fresh air, as well as giving them wires to climb on.
Aquariums are preferred for nursing mother rats, as there is no danger of the babies escaping through the bars. Having a tank topper allows the mother a place to go to "get a break" from the babies.
Martin's Cages vs. Superpet
The two main brands of rat cages are Martin's Cages and Superpet Cages. Martin's Cages can be ordered directly off their website, whereas Superpet cages can be found in many pet stores, and also ordered online through stores such as PetSmart.Superpet cages are often praised for their aesthetic value -- colorful solid shelves and coated bars. The shelves are rearrangeable and the entire cage collapses down for easy transport and storage. They often feature several large doors for easy access.
However, most Superpet cages are made for ferrets and have 1" wide bar spacing that some smaller rats, such as young rats or females, can slip through. Some people also report difficulty in removing the shelves.
Martin's Cages is a family-owned company widely praised for their customer service. They will often customize, and one of their rat cages, "The Ruud Cage", actually came about by the suggestion of one of their customers. Martin's rat cages have 1/2" wire spacing, meaning they're safe for rats of any size. Although they offer both galvanized and powder-coated versions of their cages, the powder-coated is recommended, as chewing galvanized wire can make a rat sick.
Since Martin's shelves are wire, most people choose to cover them. Assembling the cage for the first time can be difficult -- many people choose to put them together using zip-ties rather than the provided c-clips. Soaking the clips in water prior to assembling is also said to help.
Homemade Cages
Cabinet cages are the most common homemade cage. They are made by taking a bookshelf and cabinet and adding doors as well as ramps between levels. Some people also choose to make homemade cages by adding wire to a homemade frame. Homemade cages bring out a person's creativity.
Building Your Own Homemade Cage
These sites give excellent instructions on building your own homemade cage
Build your own Grotto-style cage
The Dapper Rat's homemade "Grotto" has b more...0 points
Fancy Rats | Information | Guides | Build Your Own Rat Cage
A step-by-step guide on building a rat cage from a more...0 points
Cubes and Coroplast
Although this site focuses on Guinea Pig cages, th more...0 points
Getting a Second Opinion
See what other people say about their cages!
Well, that's your guide to cage-buying in a nutshell. Hopefully I've given you all you need to know to buy a perfect cage. But if you need more information, check out these cage reviews.
Better Holes and Garbage-- The Great Cage Page
The Great Cage Page is a compendium of user-submit more...0 points
Fancy Rats | Resources | Product Reviews | Cages
Fancy Rats is UK-based rat website. Their Product more...0 points
Where to Buy Cages
Martin's Cages Inc
Martins Pet Cages - they also sell aquarium topper more...1 point
Great Gifts for Rat Lovers
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What do you think?
Do you think this is a great guide, or did I leave something out? Share your thoughts here!
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Lily_Link
I prefer martin's cages, but I've heard people successfully using super pet cages for large rats, as smaller rats can slip through the bars. Posted January 02, 2008 |
