rattery & mousery
finding the right cage
You can find many good quality cages at many local pet stores and online. The first and most important thing to look for in a cage is will it be big enough for my rats to sleep, eat, play and have fun in. You do not want to get them too small of a cage where they are not able to exercise enough, but you also do not want to get a huge cage for 2 little babies where it will be overwhelming. Below we have made some suggestions for cages than most people can find with ease. 3/8” or 1/2” bar spacing is best for all rats.
A chew proof cage is needed! . When choosing a wire cage look at the cage as a whole like Will it fit in the area you made for it at home? Is it an actual animal cage? For rats, the bar spacing is important. Half inch spacing between bars is best. This is because a rat can fit through whatever its head can go through, and most normal size rats can get out of cages that have one-inch openings. Also, grated verses solid levels? While the grated is the easiest to clean and the most open, if the spacing is too large and the rat can get its foot caught, health issues such as Bumble foot can occur. Solid levels help alleviate this problem, but can also accumulate fecal matter as well as urine if not cleaned daily. You want to make sure that the rat can fully stand up on its hind legs somewhere in the cage. A cage with 2 or more square feet is best. Most commercial rat and some ferret/chinchilla cages work best. If you want to you can make a custom build cage instead of buying a store bought one. You can get it to fit where you want it and give them what they need.
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General Cage Size Requirements
You will need a cage that provides at least two cubic feet of space per rat, with an additional 2 cubic feet for each additional rat in the habitat. This means for two rats, you should ideally be looking for a cage that provides four cubic feet of space. While this is a good rule of thumb for most rats, there are some situations where rats will require more space for rats who are very large, or who are very sensitive about sharing elbow room in their cage with other rats (such as many intact male rats). Keep in mind that your rat is going to spend the majority of their life in their cage, giving them a spacious environment will help keep them happier when you are not able to take them out and play with them.
There are many benefits of having an appropriately sized rat cage. Larger cages do not get dirty as quickly, which will create less of an ammonia build up and keep your rats healthier. Rats in larger cages are more likely to exercise on their own, increasing their lifespan and decreasing the risk of obesity related health concerns. Rats who live in social groups are more likely to get along and enjoy the company of other rats when they have enough space to socialize together, or get away for some private time if they need it.
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Basic Safety Requirements
There is a huge variety of rat cages on the market, as well as many options for making your own cage from scratch. There are some universal safety guidelines that you should remember when planning your rat's new habitat.
The cage must provide proper ventilation
We recommend housing your rats in cages that are made from either all metal or plastic, with wire bars or grates on the top and a solid metal or plastic pan for the cage to sit in and hold bedding substrate. Glass aquariums are not suitable housing for rats, as they keep in dust and ammonia which is irritating to a rat's sensitive respiratory system. We do not recommend using aquariums with wire lid toppers, as there are multiple issues with the design of the cage that makes them a poor choice for rats.
The base of the cage should be a solid surface, no wire grates for poop to fall through
While it might seem like a good idea to have wire floors so that pet waste falls through and your pet doesn't live next to their poop, serious damage can occur to a rat's feet if they have to stand on wire all of the time. Having their feet constantly pressed against wire can cause a painful condition called bumble foot, where your rat's feet may swell and become infected. To prevent this condition, you should look for a cage that minimally has a solid surface floor. If you choose a cage that has wire shelves or ramps, you can cover some or all of them with a solid surface to help protect your rat's feet. You can use plastic laminate from the hardware store (commonly sold for kitchen floors) and cut it to size for shelf covers that you can wipe clean, use cut carpeting that you wash periodically, or cardboard that can be disposed of periodically.The cage should be made of safe materials that can be cleaned easily
If you invest in a good quality cage, your cage will last for the entire lifetime of your pet rats and with good care can be used for many more years if you continue to keep pet rats. Look for a cage that has sturdy plastic if you are choosing a cage with a plastic pan, as you will be able to scrub or bleach the pan without worrying about it cracking. It is more ideal to look for the metal cage components to be powder coated or PVC coated, which will protect the metal from rusting. Keep in mind that PVC coated cages are susceptible to the finish wearing or cracking, but they will last much longer than a galvanized metal cage with no treatment applied.You should have easy access to all parts of your rat cage When you are choosing a rat cage, take a good look at the way the shelves and doors are organized. The cage doors should be suitably large for an adult to reach in and take out your pet rats without having to squeeze them through a small opening. The shelves and ramps should be set up, or movable so that you can adjust them, in such a way that there are no spots where your rat can feel cornered either by you reaching for them or by another rat in the habitat. Make sure that the door closure method is secure, a good way to test this is by closing the cage door and giving several firm tugs on the bars in the center of the door. If the door pops open, you can assume a rat with enough dedication will learn to pop the door open when they want to come out and play as well. Some cages offer the addition of flip top lids that open the entire top of the cage in addition to doors, which provides another easy access point. If you have to reach in to a cage and bend your wrist around a shelf to reach any part of the cage, remember that interacting with your rat and cleaning that type of cage will be more difficult.
The bar spacing must be small enough for the type of rats you plan to house
A cage won't be much good if it doesn't hold your rats in! The bar spacing that you will need will depend on the size of the rats that you plan on housing. If you are planning to house baby rats, the bar spacing should be 1/2" or less, where large adult rats can be housed in cages with 1" bar spacing. Most cages will have primarily horizontal or vertical bars with spacing between, the most secure cages are cages made with rectangular or square mesh with less than 1/2" spacing in each gap. Generally, cages with 1" bar spacing will hold large adult female rats or adult male rats, but some adult female rats may still be able to escape from cages with 1" bar spacing.
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Buying a "Starter Cage" versus a "Cage to Grow Into"
Many people will purchase a small "starter cage" when they are purchasing baby rats that is too small for adult rats to live in, but may be suitable temporarily for baby rats. It's important to consider how quickly baby rats grow. Baby rats are weaned at 4 weeks of age, but most female rats will need a full adult sized rat cage by the time they are 4-5 months old, and most male rats will need a full sized adult rat cage by the time they are 3-4 months old. When rats reach 3-5 months of age they are entering their teenage phase where they will be experiencing more hormonal fluctuations and keeping them in a small habitat can quickly lead to fighting and being defensive around other rats of the same gender. However, a starter cage can be a good investment if you are prepared to buy a full sized cage when your rats need it.
A small starter cage is often small enough to be used as a secure rat carrier, or as travel housing if you are taking your pet rats on vacation with you. They can also be used as a hospital cage if you have a rat who injures a limb and needs to be restricted to limited activity, or as a place hold your rats while you are cleaning their larger habitat. If you are bringing home rats who are very shy, it can sometimes be easier to socialize them in a smaller cage where they have to directly interact with you than a very large cage they can get lost in, but keep in mind that the starter cage is only temporary housing while you socialize rats and generally will not help if you have large adult rats anyway.
It is generally a better investment to buy a large cage with small bar spacing that will securely hold baby rats, but still provides enough space for your rats to grow into. You will save money in the long run by purchasing a single cage, and you will be able to buy one bigger cage made of better materials than two smaller cages made of less expensive materials.
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Features to Look for in Special Situations
Depending on your situation, you may want to look for a cage with specific features that will make it easier to house and care for your rats in the long run.Do you live in an apartment? Make sure the cage will fit in your shower If you live in an apartment, studio or other small living space, you won't be able to take your cage outside to hose it down if it gets really yucky but you can stick it in the shower. Look for a cage with a small enough base that you can fit it inside your shower and give it a good scrubbing.Do you have small children? Small bar spacing can help save little fingers If you have small children who don't always listen when you tell them not to poke their fingers through the bars, you can choose a cage with very small bar spacing that will make it less appealing to poke their fingers or other objects into the cage. It's very important to educate your children and make sure they don't offer food through the bars of the cage, to discourage rats from snatching things that come through the bars.Have an upcoming move ortravel a lot? Look for a cage that is easy to disassemble If you know you travel frequently or will have to move, it's best to look for a cage that can be disassembled easily to pack down small so it can be set back up at your new home or location. Most cages will either be of a more "permanently assembled" type, such as Martin's Cages that use metal C-Clamps to secure the cage together (although you can take these apart, it is much more difficult), or a collapsible cage that is secured on the outside with a hook and loop method of holding the main cage top together along with removable shelves.Carpeted floors around the cage? Look for a deep cage pan Cage pans vary in depth from about 1" to 4" deep. If you are using a loose bedding substrate as opposed to a fabric bedding, your rats will kick some of the bedding out of the cage. Having a deep cage pan will help keep more of your rat's bedding inside the cage instead of on the floor around it. If you find a cage you love in every other aspect, but your rats still kick bedding out, you can cut sections of coroplast or plexiglass and secure them around the cage to help block more bedding from falling out.
Choosing a very large cage? Make sure it has good wheels on the base If you want to house your rats in a very large habitat, it will be much easier to move if it has wheels on the base. Most wheeled cages will stay put on carpeted floors, but if you have hard surface floors than you will also want to look for a cage that has locking casters to keep your cage from rolling around when you don't want it to.Do you have senior rats? Look for a flat cage instead of one with multiple levels The rat cages we recommend are for healthy baby or adult rats, but senior rats may experience a loss of dexterity as they get older or a significant loss of muscle control. As your rats get older, you'll want to house them in a large flat cage instead of a taller cage with multiple levels. Many rats who develop hind leg paralysis will thrive in a broad flat cage such as the cages sold for guinea pigs or rabbits, where they can continue to exercise but will not be at a risk for a fall from a higher shelf.Now that you've read all about how to choose a good rat cage, where do you go next? We've put together a list of some of our favorite rat cages, along with the pros and cons of each cage.
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The Best Starter Rat Cages
Super Pet My First Home Cage for Rats
** Only for Baby Rats, Less than 4 Months of Age! **
The Super Pet My First Home Cage for Rats is a good starter cage for baby rats, but it's important to note that most rats will grow out of this cage very quickly and it is not suitable housing for adult rats at all. However, this cage made it onto our list of favorite cages for it's versatility. With small enough bar spacing to hold very small baby rats, this cage is small enough to be used as a carrier for vet trips, or a holding cage when you are cleaning your adult rat's primary cage and need a secure place for the rats to wait. If you want a small, portable cage in case of emergency, you can fit an emergency kit into the pan of this cage and keep it flat packed if you need to grab your rats and go.
Quick Look:
Cage Width: 24"
Cage Depth: 12"
Cage Height: 14"
Pan Material: Heavy Duty Plastic
Shelf/Ramp Material: Heavy Duty Plastic
Bar Material: Chew-proof coated wire
Included Accessories: Shelf with Food Bowl Hole, Food Bowl, Ramp, Hanging Rat-Shaped Bell Toy
Cubic Feet: 2.5
Suitable Housing For: 1-2 Baby Rats (Under 4 Months of Age)
Average Price: $25 - $35 New
Pros: Coated metal bars resist rust, deep plastic pan, sturdy plastic parts, folds down compact, good emergency/travel/carrier cage
Cons: Not suitable for juvenile or adult rats, rats grow out of quickly
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Super Pet Deluxe My First Home Cage for Critters
The Super Pet Deluxe My First Home for Critters is a good basic starter cage with small enough bar spacing to hold in baby rats, and reasonably enough space for adult female rats. We do not recommend this cage for adult male rats because of it's narrow depth, it does not allow the larger male rats enough room to stretch out. This cage folds down for easy storage or transport and is more ideal for very young rats. While it comes with a solid surface running wheel, the wheel takes up so much room in the cage that we generally recommend removing it unless you plan to eventually upgrade to a larger cage with a larger wheel for adult rats. There is enough room to hang a hammock in the upper right corner of the cage for added space, and this cage includes solid surface shelves and ramps to protect your rat's feet.
Quick Look:
Cage Width: 24"
Cage Depth: 12"
Cage Height: 24"
Pan Material: Heavy Duty Plastic
Shelf/Ramp Material: Heavy Duty Plastic
Bar Material: Chew-proof coated wire
Included Accessories: 2 Shelves with Food Bowl Holes, 1 Food Bowl, 2 Ramps, Solid Surface Plastic Running Wheel
Cubic Feet: 4.3
Suitable Housing For: 2 Adult Rats (Some males may find this cage too cramped)
Average Price: $75 - $100 New
Pros: Coated metal bars resist rust, deep plastic pan, sturdy plastic parts, folds down compact, good emergency/travel/carrier cage
Cons: Not very deep, should not be used for introducing rats due to cramped quarters, cage is not commonly sold any longer and may be more difficult to find.
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The Rat Cabin (R-670) from Martin's Cages
The Rat Cabin R-670 model from Martin's Cages is a good basic rat cage with small enough bar spacing to house baby rats all of the way in to adulthood. This cage is very basic, but provides enough room to hang a hammock in the upper right hand corner and still have enough room on the ground floor for a food bowl and nest box. This cage is available in a variety of configurations, the basic configuration as shown is galvanized metal with a plastic pan (metal pan is pictured). The door locks securely and is large enough to remove your adult rats easily. Upgrade your cage by ordering the longer lasting powder coated version, and add a flip top lid for extra accessibility.
This cage is more ideal for adult female rats than adult male rats, who are more likely to fight with each other in smaller quarters. If you have very large rats or male rats, we recommend upgrading to a larger size.
Quick Look:
Cage Width: 24"
Cage Depth: 14"
Cage Height: 24"
Pan Material: Heavy Duty Plastic (Not Pictured)
Shelf/Ramp Material: Galvanized or Powder Coated Wire
Bar Material: Galvanized or Powder Coated Wire
Included Accessories: Two Wire Ramps, Two Wire Shelves
Cubic Feet: 4.6
Suitable Housing For: 2 Adult Rats (Some males may find this cage too cramped)
Average Price: $58 - $81 Depending on Options
Pros: 3" Deep plastic pan holds in bedding, small bar spacing holds in rats of all ages, powder coated version resists rust and lasts long
Cons: Cheaper galvanized version will rust over time, does not provide a lot of extra room for toys/accessories, may be too small for large male rats
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The Best Mid-Sized Rat Cages
Super Pet My First Home Cage for Exotics - Large
The Super Pet My First Home for Exotics Large cage is one of the best basic rat cages on the market for the new rat owner. The deep plastic pan keeps bedding in the cage and not on your floor. The additional shelves have a groove along the edge, which helps keep urine or poop from scooting out of the cage when rats are moving around. One of the shelves comes with a hole that holds a deep food bowl, which keeps it from being knocked over by rambunctious rats. The small bar spacing on this cage means you can purchase this for baby rats and keep them in it through adulthood, as it provides plenty of room for them to grow in. These cages also include a basic flat hammock, and while it is thin and will generally be chewed up quickly, it's another perk to receive along with the cage. They also include a wheel which is not suitable for use with pet rats, so make sure you use the space it would have taken up for safer toys. This cage sets up easily and can be folded down for travel or storage. The most common complaint we hear from owners of these cages is that rats tend to pee on the shelves to allow it to collect in the plastic grooves, but keeping some baby hands to wipe down the plastic will keep your cage smelling fresh.
Quick Look:
Cage Width: 29"
Cage Depth: 18"
Cage Height: 30"
Pan Material: Heavy Duty Plastic
Shelf/Ramp Material: Heavy Duty Plastic
Bar Material: Chew-proof coated wire
Included Accessories: Flat Hammock, Three Shelves, Three Ramps, 1 Running Wheel (Not suitable for rats)
Cubic Feet: 9.06
Suitable Housing For: Up to 4 Adult Rats
Average Price: $80 - $180
Pros: Deep plastic pan, coated bars, solid surface floors and ramps, includes a hammock, ample space for baby rats to grow up,
Cons: Included wheel is not suitable for rats, pee collects in grooved plastic shelves
Buy Super Pet My First Home for Exotics - Large on Amazon
Note: This cage has been unavailable in some markets, and is back in stock on Amazon at a higher price point. A very similar design with the same dimensions (but different color and ramp style) can be found in the Kaytee My First Home for Exoticswhich comes in at a lower price (Around $100).
The Rat Retreat (R-685) from Martin's Cages
The Rat Retreat is a fantastic mid-sized rat cage with small enough bar spacing to hold baby rats, and large enough spacing to provide ample room for adult rats. The cage comes standard with galvanized metal, a 3" plastic pan, and a flip top lid for easy access to the full upper deck of the cage. This cage's open floor plan offers plenty of room for accessories, with a large front door as well as the opening lid for easy access to your rats from any angle. This cage can also be purchased in a more durable powder coated version that will last through more than one pet rat lifetime.
Quick Look:
Cage Width: 30"
Cage Depth: 18"
Cage Height: 24"
Pan Material: Heavy Duty Plastic
Shelf/Ramp Material: Galvanized or Powder Coated Wire
Bar Material: Galvanized or Powder Coated Wire
Included Accessories: Two Wire Ramps, One Small Wire Shelf, One Full Upper Wire Floor
Cubic Feet: 7.5
Suitable Housing For: 3 Adult Male Rats, 4 Adult Female Rats
Average Price: $95 - $115 Depending on Options
Pros: 3" Deep plastic pan holds in bedding, small bar spacing holds in rats of all ages, powder coated version resists rust and lasts long
Cons: Cheaper galvanized version will rust over time, can be difficult to hang hammocks depending on the type of hanger used due to small bar spacing on full upper level
Buy The Rat Retreat R-685 Cage from Martin's Cages
The Rat Tower (R-690) from Martin's Cages
The Rat Tower is another great mid-sized cage from Martin's Cage, which comes standard in galvanized metal with a 3" deep plastic pan. This cage is also available in a more durable powder coated finish, and can be made with a flip top lid for easy access to the top level. With two large doors and the optional flip top lid, you'll have no problem reaching all of the corners of your cage. Rats will enjoy the vertical space and multiple levels to race up and down, and the open space in the upper right corner is ideal for hanging a comfortable rat hammock. The small foot print of this cage makes it ideal for homes where space is an issue without sacrificing too much playroom for your rats.
Quick Look:
Cage Width: 24"
Cage Depth: 14"
Cage Height: 36"
Pan Material: Heavy Duty Plastic (Not Pictured)
Shelf/Ramp Material: Galvanized or Powder Coated Wire
Bar Material: Galvanized or Powder Coated Wire
Included Accessories: Three Wire Ramps, Two Wire Shelves, One Full Wire Floor
Cubic Feet: 7
Suitable Housing For: 3 Adult Rats
Average Price: $78 - $107 Depending on Options
Pros: 3" Deep plastic pan holds in bedding, small bar spacing holds in rats of all ages, powder coated version resists rust and lasts long, small footprint fits in most bath tubs or standing showers
Cons: Cheaper galvanized version will rust over time, bars can get dirtier from rats peeing on the upper level and urine traveling to bars below
Buy The Rat Tower R-690 Cage from Martin's Cages
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The Best Large Rat Cages
Super Pet My First Home Deluxe Multi-Level Pet Home with Casters
The Super Pet My First Home Deluxe Multi-Level Pet Home with Casters is a great cage for active adult rats. This cage has larger bar spacing with 1" between the bars, so it is important to be sure your rats are too large to slip out. This cage comes on a sturdy rolling base to make it easy to move, and features two large doors on the front as well as a large door on the top for easy access to your pet rats. The shelves and ramps are all made of sturdy plastic, and the cage includes one straight ramp, one twisty slide ramp, and one curved tube for a variety of interesting climbing spots for your rats. There is a lot of empty space in the cage where you can hang hammocks, and it's important to make sure that you don't leave too much of a vertical drop where your rats can fall and injure themselves. This cage is not suitable for senior rats who have a hard time climbing or balancing, but makes a great playground for young adult and adult rats. The entire cage is easy to set up and has a good deep base for holding bedding, but it can be more difficult to clean because of it's height and shape which will prevent it from fitting in most showers. This cage comes with a thin hammock to help you start accessorizing the cage. You can add a lot of fun to this cage by adding additional shelves, hammocks and other accessories.
Quick Look:
Cage Width: 24"
Cage Depth: 24"
Cage Height: 41"
Pan Material: Heavy Duty Plastic
Shelf/Ramp Material: Heavy Duty Plastic
Bar Material: Chew-proof coated wire
Included Accessories: Flat Hammock, Three Shelves, One Flat Ramp, One Slide Ramp, One Tube Ramp, Rolling Stand
Cubic Feet: 13.5
Suitable Housing For: 6-7 Adult Rats
Average Price: $100 - $160
Pros: Deep plastic pan, coated bars, solid surface floors and ramps, includes a hammock, lots of space for toys, space for lots of rats
Cons: Pee collects in grooved plastic shelves, not suitable for senior rats, care needs to be taken to limit vertical drops
Buy Super Pet My First Home Deluxe Multi-Level Pet Home with Casters on Amazon
Single Level Critter Nation from Midwest Homes for Pets
The Critter Nation is one of the best rat cages on the market, it's durable construction and mobility on casters makes it ideal for anyone looking for a top of the line home for their pet rats. This cage features small bar spacing that is suitable for rats of all ages, as well as an adjustable shelf that can be arranged at three different height positions. The cage's spacious interior and open floor plan makes it easy to accessorise, the cages come standard with shallow plastic pans and a wire rung ramp that comes with a fleece ramp cover to protect your pet's feet. These cages are some of the heaviest rat cages on the market, which means other rambunctious household pets won't be able to tip these or knock them over, and the wheeled base with locking casters allows for easy mobility. The single level critter nation can be expanded later with an additional level for rat owners with a growing colony. The front doors open completely, allowing you access to all parts of the cage and making it easy to clean.
Rat owners who prefer to use fabric bedding can order custom made fleece liners that are designed to fit over the pans of the cage securely, that can be removed and laundered when they are soiled. Some of our favorite Critter Nation accessories are sold by the Rat Stash, who offer a variety of custom made cage liners made to fit the pans and ramps of the Critter Nation. Check out Critter Nation Accessories from The Rat Stash.
If you prefer to use loose bedding substrate, replacing the shallow base pan that comes with the Critter Nation is a must. Bass Equipment creates 2-1/2" deep galvanized metal pans which are made to fit in Critter Nation Cages, which will help your bedding from flying out all over your floor. Check out Custom Pans from Bass Equipment.
Despite the large space in this cage, most of the space is taken up by empty air in the upper corners of the cage. You can add plastic corner litter trays to add a quick extra level, hang hammocks, and add additional platforms to make the most of the spacious interior of a Critter Nation.
Quick Look:
Cage Width: 36"
Cage Depth: 24"
Cage Height: 39"
Pan Material: Heavy Duty Plastic (Very Shallow!)
Shelf/Ramp Material: Powder Coated Wire with Fleece Cover
Bar Material: Powder Coated Wire
Included Accessories: One Adjustable Shelf, One Ramp
Cubic Feet: 12 (approximate interior space, not counting full height with stand)
Suitable Housing For: 6 Adult Rats
Average Price: $150 - $200
Pros: Heavy duty construction, locking caster wheels, fully opening front doors, adjustable shelving, tons of space
Cons: Shallow pans won't hold loose bedding, lots of empty space should have additional levels added or toys to make the most of the space
Buy the Single Level Critter Nation from Midwest Homes for Pets on Amazon
Double Level Critter Nation from Midwest Homes for Pets
The Double Level Critter Nation is a cage for the serious rat enthusiast. With all of the great features of the single level Critter Nation, but twice the interior size!
Rat owners who prefer to use fabric bedding can order custom made fleece liners that are designed to fit over the pans of the cage securely, that can be removed and laundered when they are soiled. Some of our favorite Critter Nation accessories are sold by the Rat Stash, who offer a variety of custom made cage liners made to fit the pans and ramps of the Critter Nation. Check out Critter Nation Accessories from The Rat Stash.
If you prefer to use loose bedding substrate, replacing the shallow base pan that comes with the Critter Nation is a must. Bass Equipment creates 2-1/2" deep galvanized metal pans which are made to fit in Critter Nation Cages, which will help your bedding from flying out all over your floor. Check out Custom Pans from Bass Equipment.
Despite the large space in this cage, most of the space is taken up by empty air in the upper corners of the cage. You can add plastic corner litter trays to add a quick extra level, hang hammocks, and add additional platforms to make the most of the spacious interior of a Critter Nation.
Quick Look:
Cage Width: 36"
Cage Depth: 24"
Cage Height: 63"
Pan Material: Heavy Duty Plastic (Very Shallow!)
Shelf/Ramp Material: Powder Coated Wire with Fleece Covers
Bar Material: Powder Coated Wire
Included Accessories: Two Adjustable Shelves, Three Wire Ramps with Fleece Covers
Cubic Feet: 24 (approximate)
Suitable Housing For: 12 Adult Rats
Average Price: $250 - $300
Pros: Heavy duty construction, locking caster wheels, fully opening front doors, adjustable shelving, tons of space
Cons: Shallow pans won't hold loose bedding, lots of empty space should have additional levels added or toys to make the most of the space
Buy the Double Level Critter Nation from Midwest Homes for Pets on Amazon
The RUUD Cage (R-699) from Martin's Cages
The ultimate cage for active rats, the RUUD Cage is one of the largest rat cages on the market. With a total of 9 levels, this cage has four partial balconies and three full levels. Three large doors positioned evenly around the front of the cage provides easy access to any portion of the cage, and if you are tall enough, you can add a flip top lid to the cage for access from the top as well. Despite the size, this cage can be used for baby rats as well as adult rats thanks to the very small bar spacing. While it comes standard in galvanized metal, we highly recommend investing in the powder coated version as it will resist rust and urine damage which would spoil a rather large investment in a great rat habitat.
Quick Look:
Cage Width: 30"
Cage Depth: 18"
Cage Height: 60"
Pan Material: Heavy Duty Plastic
Shelf/Ramp Material: Galvanized or Powder Coated Wire
Bar Material: Galvanized or Powder Coated Wire
Included Accessories: None
Cubic Feet: 18.75
Suitable Housing For: 9 Adult Rats
Average Price: $179 - $225 Depending on Options
Pros: 3" Deep plastic pan holds in bedding, small bar spacing holds in rats of all ages, powder coated version resists rust and lasts long, small footprint fits in most bath tubs or standing showers
Cons: Cheaper galvanized version will rust over time, bars can get dirtier from rats peeing on the upper level and urine traveling to bars below, difficult to move due to large size and no option of rolling base, can be difficult to clean having to scrub multiple wire levels, you'd be surprised what the rats will drag to every level
Buy the RUUD Cage R-699 from Martin's Cages