Best Rat Cages Reviewed

The Critter Nation is my cage of choice. The doors are my favorite part: They're the full width and height of the cage. Swinging open the doors gives you full access to the cage, making it easy to interact with your rats when they're inside. Cleaning is simple, too.

The single level Critter Nation is big enough for 5 to 6 rats. The double level can hold up to 12. The bars are spaced 1/2" apart, so even little rats won't escape.

I like the storage area below the cage itself. That's where I store food, bedding, and extra toys.

My only gripe with the Critter Nation is the shallow pan. It does nothing to stop rats from kicking their litter onto the floor. You'll either want to use towels as bedding, or keep a shop vac nearby.

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Martin's Cages have an excellent reputation. Many rat owners love these cages and the company's excellent customer service. The R-695 (Rat Skyscraper) is probably the most popular, since it offers plenty of room. (30" x 18" x 36")

Martin's cages are well-made and sturdy. You can even break them down for transportation if you have to. (This is easier to do if you assemble the cage with cable ties rather than metal clips.) Spend a little extra for a powder-coated cage with a flip-top: The powder-coating will prevent rust and last a long time, while the flip-top will make cleaning so much easier.

Rats love climbing up the bars, which offer plenty of places to hang hammocks and toys.

The plastic pan is about 3 1/2" deep, which is good for preventing your rats from kicking too much litter out of their cage.

One of the downsides of the Martin Cages are wire floor levels. Wire floor can be hard on rat feet and aggravate a nasty bacterial infection known as bumblefoot. However, you can deal with this by covering the wire floors with fleece, linoleum, or plastic stitchery canvas.

The Super Pet cage is advertised as a ferret home, but in some ways it's more appropriate for rats. Ferrets are apparently much harder on it, causing the shelves to warp over time. Many rat owners have reported being happy with it, though.

With dimensions of 24"L X 24"W X 37"H, this Super Pet cage is big enough for six rats. It has coated wire, plastic shelves, three doors, and lots of climbing room. It's simple to put together, and it comes with wheels so you can move it around pretty easily.

The biggest complaint people had about this cage is that thanks to the grooves in the plastic shelves, it's difficult to clean.

Unless your rats are full grown, you'll want to use wire mesh to prevent escapes. The gap between the bars is big enough for young rats and wiry females to slip through.

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