Best Rat Cages Buying Guide for 2021

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Have a little furry friend at home?

Or are you looking to get one?

Whatever may be your reason, you will need a rat cage where your little friend will be safe and warm.

Rat cages obviously come in different shapes and sizes. There are different models that are available both online and in the physical markets. Which one you choose depends on the number of pet rats who will be inhabiting that cage.

Latest Top-rated Rat Cages in 2021

We have made a comparison table below to make it easy for you to make a good choice at a glance. Be sure that any of the choices you make will be worth it.

But, do you feel lost with all the options there are in the market? There’s no reason to be when we are here. We will guide you all along the way so that you know which features to look for in an ideal rat cage. So let’s begin with the important factors to consider:

Best Rat Cages Buying Guide for 2021

Materials of Rat Cages

MaterialsRat cages are generally constructed out of two materials- metal and plastic.

It’s obvious that a cage made out of metal will be more durable than the one made out of plastic. But it should also be stated that the cages which are made up of plastic are relatively strong too.

The plastic used isn’t low quality at all. After all, even with a plastic rat cage, you will be shelling out quite a bit of sum. But there are other factors which you should also keep in mind. Namely, know that plastic cages can be ultimately broken by your persistent little friend, especially if it and its friends are hell-bent on escaping.

Moreover, with regular use, this plastic can get dull in color and begin to fade away. Leaving you with an old and distinctly unappealing-looking cage. Not to mention, regular cleaning will surely make the plastic erode away over time.

So if you want to make an investment for your little furry friend then go for a metal wire cage. But make sure that those metal cages are coated with PVC or otherwise it won’t last long. These cages are costly but they will last for a long time without rusting, fading, eroding or providing an easy escape for the animal within.

The Base of Rat Cages

Best Rat Cage BaseWhile buying a rat cage, many pet rat owners tend to focus on the walls of a cage and whether the small wire cage is strong and durable or not. But they forget to think about the floor of the cage.

When you go out to buy an amazon rat cage, you will get cages that have a wire base and those that have a solid base. Go for those which have a solid base.

It’s obvious that a wire base will be easy for you to clean since the droppings will just fall through. But a wire base will be harmful to the feet of your pet. It will end up deforming its feet after regular use. On the other hand, a solid base will be difficult to clean but your rats will be able to run and sleep on it without fear of injuries.

Space of Rat Cages

Best Rat Cages SpaceYou will obviously want your pet rat to be comfortable inside its cage.

For that, there needs to be ample space inside. Your little guy should be able to sleep in and play around in it with ease. The animal shouldn’t feel cramped in.

After all, it will be living the majority of its life in there. Know that the larger space, the more comfortable your pet rat will be. But if you are new to being a pet parent then know that there needs to be a minimum space of 2 cubic feet of space per rat. Along with this, make sure that the wire spacing isn’t more than 1-inch by 2-inch spaces for adults. For babies, it should be smaller.

This space shouldn’t just be in terms of length and breadth, the pet rat cage spacing should have enough height so that your rats can play in peace. Ideally, a rat cage should have three accessible levels in it. If not aim to get at least one that has two levels. Your pet must be able to climb easily to these levels through ramps, tubes, stairs, etc.

Overall, having more space means that your pet can exercise more and keep themselves busy. A larger cage with multiple levels is also ideal if you have multiple rats. This will ensure that all of them can live companionably without fighting for sleeping and playing space.

Doors of Rat Cages

Best Rat Cage DoorA rat cage should come with at least two wire doors. Don’t get solid doors as it will simply block the cage from getting proper ventilation.

Also, double doors will help you clean the amazon mouse cage from both sides and you will be able to get into the nook and crannies of the cage.

While buying, make sure that the cage has a proper lock mechanism that actually works. You will certainly not want your rats to escape out or harm themselves while trying to escape in any way. Apart from locks, look carefully to ensure that the doors don’t have a gap in between so that the rats can escape in any way.

If you are getting cheap rat cage ideas that have multiple levels separated by shelves or ramps, there must be doors on the upper portion of the cage so that those ramps and shelves are easy to clean too.

Design of Rat Cages

Best Rat Cages Materials

This completely depends upon your preference. For example, there is some dog cage for a small pet that can be constructed and deconstructed easily.

These will be useful to you if you have to travel a lot. Apart from this, there are other factors like ramps, tunnels, shelves, and such to consider. These toys and decorations will ensure that your rat is kept occupied. Know that there are rat cages that come with wheels as well.

So you will be able to take your pet out to get some fresh air or roll them to other rooms. Moreover, while choosing the design of the cage, keep in mind that each and every part of it should be easily accessible by the rat.

10 Top-rated Rat Cages in 2021

Not only rats but also other small animals also have the right to live in a beautiful house equipped with toys and playing areas. So, we have found some deluxe cages for the small pets, which they would definitely adore to live in with their happy family.

So, grab a look!

1. Midwest Deluxe Critter Nation- (Best critter nation rat cage)

critter nation rat cageThis Midwest cage is for those who are willing to get a spacious cage for their small pets.

This double door rat cage works as an ideal habitat for many small pets, be it a rat, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, and many more. It comes with lots of space that is easy to clean and has been specially designed to keep the pets clean and healthy.

This critter nation rat cage includes one ramp and its cover, an adjustable shelf, and a maneuverable stand with wheel casters. These wheel casters come with a locking technology, which restricts the structure from going here and there.

However, when it comes to the cage, the wire spacing is thin enough that your pet won’t be able to come out in any chance. In fact, they would be able to climb up and explore the environment.

Inside this critter nation rat cage single is the ramp cover, which acts as a soft pathway for your pet to go to the top and slide back without hurting their feet. Thus, all the specifications add to the idyllic structure of this rat cage.

FEATURES

  • Adjustable: The shelves are easy to adjust.
  • Ramp Covers: Their feet can now be well protected by the ramp covers.
  • Easy to Clean: The double doors provide complete access to clean the base easily.
  • Warranty: This double door rat cage comes with a 1-year warranty.
  • Wheel Casters: They come with a locking technology that holds the entire structure in one position.

Customers Feedback:

I LOVE IT!! My bunnies love thier new cage. I was really worried about this coming damaged since a lot of reviews said theirs was , but not a single bar was bent. Also this was actually really easy to assemble, im 17 and i did it by myself and it took less than an hour. I would recommend this cage to anyone. (I actually have already! My friend is now considering upgrading to this cage.)

2. Prevue Rat and Chinchilla Cage- (Best pet rat habitat)

Best pet rat habitatThis rat cage by Prevue comes with thin wirings and metal ramps, which makes it easy for the small pets to climb up or play in the entire cage.

There is an availability of the tray below, which is comfortable to remove and clean. You can even add some toys for the furry pets over the tray as this pet rat habitat is quite spacious. But how to remove the tray?

There is a large door where you can have complete access to your pets and easily detach and remove the grille and tray for cleaning purposes in these pet rat habitat cages front.

However, due to some cases, if the grille is not installed back into the cage, the pets will not be able to push out the tray due to the presence of the wind-bell lock.

FEATURES

  • Ideal For: This super pet rat habitat is ideal for both small pets and their babies.
  • Durability: The ramp and tray construction is done with top-notch material to let the rat cage work for years.
  • Accessibility: Accessibility to the pets is possible through the large front door.
  • Spacious: It is spacious enough to install toys and swings for pets over the shelf.
  • Wind-Bell Lock: This technology restricts the pets from absconding from this super pet rat habitat.

Customers Feedback:

I love the look of this cage, easy to put together. Easy to roll from space to space. It took us about an hour to put together in total. Our little Hamster loves his new space, freedom and lots of room to roam. A beautiful cage for us to view as well. Thank you so much. 5 Stars all the way. I stand by this choice in a small pet cage. Much appreciated.
I had purchased the pet rat habitat cages for my chinchilla about 7 years ago. It lasted forever. I only got rid of it because I thought it would be nice to have something bigger for him. Last year I purchased a cage that was by the same company and was marketed for chinchilla’s and ferrets. It, however, was not comparable to this cage. The shelves and ramps were plastic so my chinchilla ate through them. I decided to get this one again and, as before, has proven perfect and indestructible!

3. You & Me Rat Manor Habitat- (Best rat manor cage)

Best rat manor cageIf you don’t want your pets to feel lonely in a small cage, then we have got something for you.

Here we have come up with a rat cage that is quite big in height and has got some extra space for your small pets to wander around.

This rat manor cage comes with 3 ladders made of mesh wires where your rats can go up and down, jump and play around. The welded wire used to prepare the rat manor setup is washable, chew-proof, and stain-resistant, making this you and me rat manor cage ideal even for pets who mess around a lot.

A deep metal base is specially designed to avoid the scattering of the food and other stuff kept inside the manor by the naughty small animals. Well, in this black rat cage base, you can place some toys and swings for them too.

FEATURES

  • Washable: The entire manor is washable.
  • Ladders: This you and me rat cage comes with three ladders, increasing the manor’s height and creating and place for the rats to play around.
  • Spacious: The cage is spacious enough for the rat’s habitat and toys.

Customers Feedback:

It is difficult to put together (as stated by other users) but I wired the shelves in using an inexpensive wire from a hardware shop and haven’t had any problems with the shelves since putting it together. My adult degu loves his home & there his enough room for an exercise saucer, a hammock, and a “house” for him to hide in. There is so much room that now we are thinking of getting him a friend!

For 56 dollars, you honestly can’t get a better/larger cage. My cage came in 2 days (standard shipping) and took me about 15 mins to assemble. The instructions are confusing, just use your logic. I also like how light everything is. I can pick up the cage with everything in you and me rat cage by myself and I am a 5’4″ 115lb girl. My ratties love running around in this spacious cage. I recommends only have 2 rats maximum though.

4. Little Friends Rat and Hamster Cage- (Best cage for rats)

Best cage for ratsIf you are probing for a lovable and small cage for your rats and hamsters, then here we have got the best Little Friends cage that we personally found for you.

This little friends triple metal rat cage is a space-friendly cage, although it is available in different sizes, which you can place in any part of your house.

This cage for rats comes accompanied by a wooden shelf and ladder. Together, the shelves, ladder, and perfect finishing gives the product an eye-catching look and make them a picture-perfect home look for the little furry and friendly pets.

When you purchase the cage, you will get a hideaway house, a bowl for eating food, and 2 wheels for exercise accessories. In addition to this hamster and rat cage, you can add your personal pet toys for more engagement of your pets in playing and having fun together with the others.

FEATURES

  • Wire Spacing: It comes with a narrow wire spacing that makes it perfect for pets such as rats with a flexible body.
  • Accessories: The hamster cages are accompanied by different accessories, namely, home, bowl, and wheel.
  • Size: In all, you will get a choice among three different sizes according to your need.
  • Transportation & Storage: This hamster and rat cage is easy to collapse this hamster cage for transport and storage.

Customers Feedback:

The cage arrived quickly and the only problem I had assembling it was a wooden platform falling out. I secured it with extra wires. Deep enough for thick layer of bedding and a bigger wheel. Not a huge space for many toys like Ikea ‘Detolf’ cases may offer. I have a dwarf hamster and this cage is a great upgrade for us. Wish I had more space to build a huge, fancy enclosure I saw on YouTube but right now I think it was a great purchase.

5. go2buy Rats Rabbit Ferret Cage- (Best large rat cage)

Best large rat cageIf you are willing to find something extraordinary in a cage that can steal your heart, we guess this go2buy cage can be done for sure.

We found this stylish rat cage unique, storage-friendly, and amusing for the pet with our personal experience.

But there is one point where we found the cage lacks, and it is space. These large rat cage doesn’t have enough room for the pets to roam around freely and quickly place the toys.

However, they can play with enjoyment up and down the ladder, and if you want some toys to be put on, you can hang them on the side.

While we talk about the cage inside, This rat ferret cage comes with ramps and tiers where the pets can climb and slide to reach the top and bottom. There is a separate door on each floor where there is a tier. This makes it easy to get accessibility to your pet.

FEATURES

  • Safety: The doors come with a latch that keeps the door locked unless you open it.
  • Accessories: This single rat cage comes equipped with shelves, a tray, ramps, a food box, and a water bottle.
  • Easy to Carry: Casters make its portability possible.
  • Assembling: This rat ferret cage comes with a manual, which makes assembling easy before use.
  • Tray: It has a slide-out tray where all the mess created by the pets gets accumulated.

Customers Feedback:

Very happy I decided to get this!!! Great price too!! My girls love it. They don’t know what to do with all the space. I was worried about the spacing at first on the bars bc my girls are smaller but the single rat cage was perfect fit. I had trouble with USPS delivery though. So if you can get a different carrier I would. But this was a great fit for three rats!
I had a little trouble putting it together at first so my suggestion is to put it together upside down. I know it’s weird but it actually made more sense to put it upside down and put it together. I’m a very happy rat mom.

6.  ZENY small animal house- (Best small animal cage)

Best small animal cageFor those who want a perfect, small, and cozy cage for their pet’s family, this Zeny cage is the one that you will adore.

This small animal pet cage is specially designed for the pet species such as guinea pig, chinchilla, and rabbit after its thoughtful design and playing activities, which are usually adored by these pets.

Here, in this small animal cage, you will get the slide-out-tray, water bottle, food box, and attached ramps for the pets to easily climb up and down the row. The grid’s wire spacing present just above the tray is relatively thin, preventing the animal’s feet from getting stuck in there while roaming around in the spacious area.

Well, suppose you are thinking about carrying or portability of the cage. In that case, you need to know that these small animal house pets come with 4 wheels, making transportation easy to different places. However, it is easy to fold and store the cage when it comes to storage when it is not in use.

FEATURES

  • Durable: The steel wires used to construct the little home is stable and of rich quality.
  • Portability: This small animal pet cage is easy to port and even comes with wheels for making transportation easy.
  • Detachable Tray: The tray present at the bottom is removable to make its cleaning easy.
  • Water Bottle and Bowl: As an additional accessory, water bottles and bowls make feeding convenient for the pet owner.
  • Design: The friendly method is to make living convenient for the little pets.

Customers Feedback:

I have 2 Guinea pigs in this cage. At first, they were unsure about the different levels but now they are all over the cage. They get exercise and seem to love the different views. I did put some plastic covers over the bottom for comfort though. Also, I had to zip tie the ramps down because thee Guinea pigs would jump and knock them down. I don’t consider that a bad thing though.

The small animal house pets it’s spacious and comfortable. I use it for my guinea pig. It was a little tedious to assemble but not impossible, also, I don’t like how the wide the spaces are on the bottom because his food and hay fall through it. However, it’s good for him to run up and down and excessive a bit, he got comfortable with it in two days and that’s good because I don’t get to spend as much time as I’d like to with him due to work and school. Another amazing thing, it comes with the water filter and food container.

7. Kaytee Multilevel Exotics- (Best kaytee rat cage)

Best kaytee rat cageIf this rat cage cannot please your heart, then we don’t know what can! This Kaytee cage is somewhat the type that you can personally call a perfect home for your little family members.

This kaytee rat cage is available in a sleeking design, compact size, and easy-to-carry method.  As you can see, it comes with an ideal space where your pet can roam around freely, play on the levels and do whatever enjoyment this green plastic rat cage can.

You don’t have to worry about its escape in the heart of the fun. There is relatively less spacing between the wires coming with a chew-proof technology.

Even in the basement, the little exotic members would not mess around as the base is deep and covered. So, there is no point that you should be worried about the spilled food, water, or litter.

FEATURES

  • Accessory: This multi level exotics cage comes equipped with a food bowl.
  • Wire Type: The steel wire is durable and chew-proof.
  • Ladder: The ladder design will make playing more exciting.
  • Assemble: The assembling of the shelves and other parts of the green plastic rat cage after cleaning is easy.

Customers Feedback:

Purchased this cage for my Teddy Bear Syrian Hamster and he is in heaven! My previous cage was 24 inches by 12 inches and he chewed the bars constantly and I read that they need a lot more room than other hamsters due to their size. This cage is a HUGE upgrade and he’s able to burrow down because the tray is deep enough! He learned the ramps after 20 minutes and loves running up and down them. He doesn’t chew the bars and he’s happy!! Bar spacing is just right for a Syrian hamster.

8. Mcage Small Animal House- (Best mouse cage)

Best mouse cageHere we present before you the best rat cage setup, perfect for small pets concerned with the rat family.

This best mouse cage size is relatively compact and space-friendly to be placed in any room of the house. Even when not in use, you can easily fold it and put it wherever you wish to.

Suppose this mcage rat cage is kept idle or even in usage for a longer time. In that case, it will not get damaged or rusted as it is manufactured with good quality steel to enhance its durability.

The mcage 3 level small animal cage bottom tray is also animal-friendly and won’t get affected if the pets spill water over it or scratch it in fun. It comes with two doors, which makes access to the animals easy. So whether you want to take the pets out of the cage or give them food, you can do it easily by either of the available front doors.

FEATURES

  • Easy to carry: As the size is compact and the cage is foldable, it is easy to take the cage to any place.
  • Accessibility: The front doors make accessibility possible inside the wire rat cage.
  • Wire Spacing: The wire spacing is thin enough that even the baby pet’s flexible body won’t cross the cage wire.

Customers Feedback:

Large, easy to assemble, has handles on top making it easy to carry. Because i use this for mice, who can squeeze through almost anything, I did have to use plastic zip ties to pull wider gaps between the bottoms of the doors and the cage together. Would be OK for one rat. Add a high quality wheel. And, so important: The mcage 3 level small animal cage enameled so your pets will not get BumbleFoot disease that happens on uncoated, zinc galvanized wire cages and wheels. Not like cheap habitats with painted wire that mice and hamsters can chew off (that may contain lead).

9. MidWest Homes for Pets Small Animal habitat- (Best cheap rat cage)

Best cheap rat cageDo you want a rat cage that is compact and spacious at the same time? Well, do not consider yourself silly while thinking about this Midwest Homes cage, as this thought is indeed a reality now.

We have brought before you double-story cheap small animal cages that are compact and won’t grab a large floor space.

The most crucial essential it comes with is a bottom pan or tray where your pet can rest itself or where you can place the food bowl and toys.

These cheap plastic animal cages eventually add a sleek look to the cage and won’t get damaged even if you machine-wash it.

FEATURES

  • Ramps: These cheap small animal cages come with different ramps for making climbing and sliding easy.
  • Tray: At the bottom, there is a tray that is basically placed to add extra comfort.
  • Maintenance: The entire care of the cage is easy, including the bottom pan.

Customers Feedback:

This little things is pretty cute! All my rats love them. One of my females even chose to make one into her nest and gave birth in it. Kind of annoying that I can’t see the babies without disturbing them but I’m glad “Dot” liked enough to trust having her babies in there. (She has a white dot in the center of her forehead) My boys seem to argue over theirs. So much so that I’ve taken it out of their cage for a break from the squabbles. It was absolutely one of the best choices for my rats and I intend to buy a couple more of them in the near future.

10. Little Friends Rat and Hamster Cage- (Best cages for rats)

Best cages for ratsThose who want a rat cage just similar to a birdcage are welcome here.

Yes, this Little Friends cage is quite adorable and just like a birdcage with a little home, ramps, holes for hiding, and a small yet cute food bowl.

This cages for rats design is so perfect that you can even hang it on the wall side for your pet’s different experience.

These cages for pet rats are ideal for little pets such as hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, and other known small animals. Even babies can also live here peacefully.

However, you have to be careful to slide into the hole and be out of appearance.

FEATURES

  • Accessories: These pet cages for small animals come equipped with additional accessories.
  • Ladders: The ladders come with a special gripping to make movement easy.
  • Easy to clean: Although it may not look, these cages for pet rats are easy to clean the bottom.

Customers Feedback:

Love this cage – it looks gorgeous and functions for the rats perfectly. The clips on the side don’t seem to add much security but we continue to use it. The platforms are a great addition, although making the cage more difficult to clean. The pet cages for small animals would have also been nice to have doors on more than one side of the cage – several parts of the cage are unreachable, from the doors so the top needs to be opened (which is a pain when toys/hammocks are attached).

FAQs on Best Rat Cages for 2021

How to Decorate a Rat Cage?

Video Transcript:

Hello everyone this is shun to the rat and now that I’ve finished with my medium introduction cage because the rats have moved on to the large cage I thought it would be interesting to use it to show you guys how I set up a rat cage so here we have my medium size rat cage as I said and I’m just going to show you guys exactly how I go about doing this so to start I always put in some bedding I know some people use fleece but I personally use yesterday’s news as my bedding so I’m just going to go ahead and put that in the couch right now okay so after I have the bending of the cage I consider what I call my rat essentials and these are basically the items that I think are the minimal stuff that you should have in a good small cage petsthis would include some sort of high that the rats can sleep in that will go on your ground level so something like this here the next thing I would include would be something like a or something that pains so for example here I have two spider hammocks and I can just put some fleece in them after that you have your customary food so here you see I am a food hopper dish thing this is actually for birds it’s really cool and then after that it would have to be water bottles like these and then I would include some sort of toy it can be a foraging toy or just some sort of play toy so for example I would consider a PCV pipe to cover this or some sort of foraging thing like a bird toy or a hanging kabob or whatever this is just the minimum of course I’m going to be putting more but I just thought I would cover exactly what I mean by the rat essentials before going on so to get started I am going to be putting stuff on the bottom of my cage you can see the way that this rat cage cheap is made I kind of have to take off the top in order to put and so I’m going to put this in there first this has a cold cut out in it and it’s perfect for the lats to sleep I know my rec room really likes to sleep in underground stuff like that so I’m definitely going to keep that in there the next thing I have is some sort of house again this is the house just going to put that right on top this house here is just for them to sleep inside I can put some maybe tissues in there to make it softer and easier to sleep on the next thing I want to do is put some other toys in there I’m not going to get to the hammock stat because like I said I don’t really have a bad catch them until I put the unique rat cages top one so I’m going to put my space pod in the cage and I’m actually going to put some belts inside this first so here you see I have a piece of felt I’m just going to fold it up put it inside the space pod so they have something nice to you sleep on just right inside like that and I think I’m going to put the space pod all right next thing I want to put in there is this PCB pipe I think these are really fun for the rats oh I definitely want to have one in there maybe Ali will just do something like that so the next thing I’m going to put in there is this tube thing when you put that right there so now I’ve kind of covered the basic level area however I need to leave some space for our food and water of course so now I’m going to put the hammocks in the cage so the first I have to put on the top of my cage here you can see it’s very well just like that and now I’m going to go ahead I put stuff in the cage so the first thing I’m going to put in there is this pink thing it’s just going to act as the second level of sorts I’m also kind of like a hammock and I’m going to put some fleece over it launched and it’s this belt in order to make it more comfy for the rats to stand on okay so the next thing I’m going to put on will be this wire shelf okay so now I’m going to put in the rats water and food so I’m going to be using a large hammock for this each this time just want to put that in okay so here’s an overview of the cage for mouse and as you can see I was able to fit in some more stuff including this a bird hammock Hut thing over here and this chewing kebab so as you can see I’ve covered my rat essentials I have the house actually I have several of them I also have some hammocks I have the water I have food and I have many different things as enrichment too but down here I have this kabob I have some levels altogether it’s a pretty good cage so as you notice this is a very stuffed cage I pretty much taken up every single open spot in this cage and the reason for that is because well rats are prey animals they really enjoy having lots of hidey holes and lots of places to hide and they actually feel a lot safer in a cluttered area that’s why I always recommend cluttering your cages as much as possible I know it doesn’t look maybe that pretty but it does a really good job in terms of keeping the rats happy and active so yeah I’m going to put my rats in here and then I’ll show you what they look like as they explore I’m just going to close it so they bumped it out on me so yeah you can see they’re exploring they’re going to enjoy themselves and that is really all that matters so this isn’t actually their permanent cage however it is a decent sized cage I was using it for introductions and as I was saying it’s much easier for me to show you how I decorate a smaller cage which is why I’m using this one so yeah hopefully this gives you guys some ideas on how to decorate your own rat cages after this I think I’m going to show you some clips of my completed cages and how they’re decorated so yeah I hope you guys enjoyed this video and I hope it gave you some ideas on how to decorate your cage if you guys would like more rat care tips or rap trick training tips feel free to visit my website.

How to handle your pet rat?

If you are going to be a new pet rat owner then it's important to understand how to handle them. First, you will have to ensure that they get used to you. For this, try to carry them around the house in your jumper. Rats like human interaction so make it meet your family members.

Don't make the mistake of picking up the rat by its tail as this can injure them. The correct way of holding it is to put one hand underneath its chest (but behind the forelegs) and use your other hand to support its hind legs. Don't apply too much pressure on the animal and don't squeeze it. Children can hold rats as well but make sure that they don't hold them tightly. Always ensure that children hold them under adult supervision so that no one gets accidentally hurt.

How to make your room rat-proof?

First of all, know that rats will need at least an hour's playtime outside of their cages per day. This will help keep them active and healthy. But you obviously can't let the rats roam around in your garden or your whole house.

They were either get stuck, hide somewhere or will escape. The only solution is to let them play in a room but for that, you need to rat-proof it. To do that follow these steps:

  • Keep your doors and windows closed. Also, block any kind of cracks in your floorboards no matter how small and impossible to pass they might seem to you.
  • Pass your electric cables through piping so that it can't get chewed.
  • Keep your house plants out of the way as some of them are poisonous to rats.
  • Don't keep sharp objects like wheels with spokes, knives, pens, pencils, compass, etc lying around. It can cause serious injuries to your pet.

How to ensure proper ventilation for your rats?

Rats can suffer from lung infections or breathing difficulties very easily. So proper ventilation is a major part of the hygiene of your rats. Here are some steps to help you out with ventilation for your rats:

  • Make sure that you get wire cages for your rats. Also, keep the wire cages for mice near the window so that they get lots of air and light easily. But light doesn't mean that those little animals will get bombarded with harsh sunlight. Also, know that the ideal temperature to keep is 20°C.
  • Keep their cage on a tabletop or somewhere where they are at or near eye level with other people in the room. This way they will get to see what's going on and you will be able to keep an eye on them as well.
  • Proper ventilation is also ensured when there's no foul smell in your room as well as in the cage. So keep your room and the keeping rat cage clean. Clean up their droppings and change the water daily. Make sure that you change the bedding periodically as well.

How to ensure that your rat remains healthy?

Apart from proper food and air, you need to ensure that your pet gets plenty of exercise while in the cage. Keep lots of toys and various kinds of toys in the cage.

Create a kind of adventure land for your rats by using ropes, ladders, shelves, toys, and hammocks. Don't put it all on one level of the cage. Construct it in such a manner that it wounds through several levels of the cage. Also, make sure that you dangle treats from the top of the unique rat cages so that your rats stay fed and get some exercise trying to get those treats.

Another less thought of a way to keep your pets healthy is by ensuring that it doesn't get frightened or get anxious all the time. For this, make sure that it knows the people who are living in the house.

Don't keep your rats near TV or music systems as the loud sound can distress them. Also, keep the cage for mice pet away from dogs, cats, and other large house pets who might try to break into it.

How to make bedding for your rats?

Rats need warm and secure boxes to sleep in. Here are some things you should consider when getting bedding for rats:

  • For beddings use non-toxic wood chips or shredded paper beddings. You don't have to make wood chips, these are easily available in any online pet store or pet shop.
  • Make sure that you don't use pine wood chips or cedar ones because these are toxic for small rats. Along with this, don't use sawdust or wood shavings as it can cause breathing problems for your pet.
  • Don't use cotton wool or newspaper. The former can get easily eaten by your pets and then their gut can get blocked. It can also get accidentally wrapped around their legs and prevent them from moving properly. The latter one has ink which will be very toxic to little pets.
  • Make the bedding on a solid base. If you have a mouse cage amazon with a wire base then cover it with something thick. This will ensure that there's something solid to keep and make the bed on. This will also help the rats since they will have something solid to walk on.
  • Get a nest box for your rats to sleep in as it's quiet, dark, safe and secure. It will provide the ideal place for your rats to rest. If you have albino rats that are sensitive to light then these boxes will be very beneficial to them.

How to Set Up a Rat Cage Like a Pro?

Video Transcript:

Hey guys, It’s the rat guru you may have already seen the giant double flight cage that I just made for my girls and while bigger cages are great I do also have a few older girls over the age of 2 who have more trouble getting around than the younger girls so I decided to set up a little retirement cage for them so they don’t have to struggle with climbing or being stuck sleeping at the bottom of the cage all day since this cage is relatively small compared to my other cages I thought this would be a fantastic opportunity to make a video tutorial on how to initially set up a rat cage if you need to know what kinds of things you’ll want to put in your rad cage please watch my video on rad cage accessories and then come back to this one this is my custom Martens rat skyscraper cage and as you can see I pulled out all the wire shelves and ramps because I just can’t leave anything alone and I have to give all of my cages their own little guru Flair before you start setting up your cage get a general picture of how you would like your cage to look I have a little rule that I made up which is the fun vs. cozy ratio rats enjoy sleeping very high up in their cage it makes them feel like they’re safely out of reach from predators therefore it’s best to have more places to hide and sleep towards the top of the cage and more fun things like toys ladders and food and water towards the bottom of their cage so higher is more cozy and lower is more fun and remember rats love stuff the more crowded and cluttered your cages the more your rats will love it first if you have any wire levels they will need to be covered you’ll want to do this first so that nothing is in your way place the material down strategically I’m putting the thick cardboard near the middle of the level because this is the area that will see the most foot traffic next I’m adding some newspaper to cover the remainder of the space if you’re placing newspaper down you may run into an area that is just barely too narrow for the newspaper to lay flat if this happens fold the newspaper and then flip it over with the folded side down now you’ll need to secure the material down so the rats don’t wind up throwing it all around the cage you can use mini clamps or binder clips to secure the sides down and make sure to secure the entire perimeter of the level if you’re using multiple layers of newspaper or cardboard you can use standard packing tape to hold it down in the middle packing tape is cheap and it’s safe for rats to chew now you’ll want to start adding your cage accessories it’s important to add larger items first so you know there’s enough room in the cage for them and you won’t have to move things around I personally like to add the hammocks first since they will need to be removed and replaced more often than anything else in the cage that way I know there’s always enough room for the hammocks and the other accessories will not be in their way when hooking your hammock try to align the clips as best as you can so the hammock will not sag or lay crooked once your hammock is in place use your hand to push it down gently to test it out this way you know that it all your rat’s pile into it at once it’s not going to collapse when adding more hammocks try to place them close enough together that the rats could easily climb between them also having hammocks that lay higher or lower than each other is great because it lets the rats choose how high up they would like to be if you want to hang your hammock using plastic shower rings open the ring with one hand while holding the loop of the hammock open with the other hand slip the ring through the hoop and then slip the ring around the bars of the cage gently close the ring by squeezing it together with your hand now you can start adding levels such as shallow baskets try to place your levels in convenient places for the rats for example this one is being placed just under a hammock so the rats can easily access the hammock from the basket secure the basket using zip ties fish your zip tie through the bars of the cage and an opening of the basket then bend the zip tie and fish it through the other side make sure to pull tightly to keep it securely in place now do the same thing with the opposite side making sure the basket is level and not lopsided or tilted after that you can begin placing more zip ties through the middle or the sides of the basket to ensure it won’t fall and it’s less likely to be chewed down if your basket is a little flimsy you can make a chain out of plastic shower rings to hold it up this will help keep the basket level as well as adding weight distribution to ensure that it won’t be damaged as the wraps jump on it and sit on it push the basket down with your hand to see how much give it has if it seems secure you’re good to go to check if your basket is at a good height you can use your hand to see how much room there is between the basket and the floor enough room for the rats to comfortably walk under the basket is best that way it doubles as a sort of canopy that they can hide under when adding a cardboard box to your cage it’s a good idea to secure it down so the rats cannot move it all around the cage grab a flap of the box and use a mini clamp to clasp it to the cardboard make sure the mouth of the clamp also goes through one of the bars so that it doesn’t end up slipping into the cage do this again with the back part of the box and try to get the clamp to go as far into the box as you can it should look like this when you’re done now moving on to the bottom of the cage this is where you will want to add majority of your toys your food bowl and your water bottle first add the biggest items to make sure you have enough room for everything add your shallow baskets or levels using the same technique as before zip tie the corners first and then the middle now it’s time to add your ladders and ramps if you have any find a good place to add your first ladder where it won’t be in the way of anything else you want to add or in front of something else that you’ll be cleaning regularly choose where you’d like to place it and then begin securing it to the levels or the bars of the cage the second ladder I’m adding will be going through the opening of the mid section giving the girls some easy access to the higher part of the cage just make sure none of your ladders or ramps are too steep I also added a ramp to the upper level making it easy for my slower girls to access the hammocks now I’m going to add this little mobile toy that I made which has a lot of would choose and other dangly things since this toy is so big I will need to place it in a part of the cage where it won’t be obstructed by any of the other objects but it’s also low enough that the girls can play with it easily to hang this toy I’m just creating a chain out of shower rings and then I’m connecting the chains together with a singular shower ring I also added a lanyard clip to the connecting ring so it will be easy to remove this toy for cleaning if you have smaller hanging toys place them somewhere that’s easy for your rats to reach them like right next to a level or a basket you should also add at least one or two hideaways to the very bottom of your cage as well sometimes rats do enjoy sleeping in the lower parts of the cage or at least hoarding their food there adding some enticing interactive toys to the bottom of the cage will allow them to move the toys around and play with them but they won’t be able to get lost if you have extra room now you can start adding smaller baskets and levels just to add some extra space to the cage and give your rats more places to explore and hang out now you’ll want to grab a pair of scissors or wire cutters and start cutting the tail ends of the zip ties you can do this as you’re adding them but for the sake of this demonstration I’m cutting them all at once once all of your accessories are in place add your nesting material place a handful of flea scraps or newspaper or whatever you want to use in each hideaway hammock and basket finally you’ll want to find a convenient place for food and water find a spot in the cage where the water bottle is not in the way of any other accessories and away from the door you’ll want to place your water bottle just high enough that it will not be disturbed by the bedding or toys but low enough that your rats can still access it place your food dish somewhere that’s easy for you to fill it up for example if you’re right-handed place your food bowl on the left side of the cage that way you can quickly open the door and fill up the bowl before the rats grab your scoop and spill it all over the floor now give your cage a final inspection to make sure everything is exactly the way you want it and imagine your rats running around all over the cage make sure everything is easy for your rats to access for example if you want to see if your rats can easily climb from one thing to another use the length of your hand to judge the distance if you can touch the basket and the hammock at the same time then it will be easy for your rats to climb up to the Hammond now place your rats in the cage sit back and admire all of your hard work make sure to spend time observing your rats explore their cage frequently so you can learn how they like to move around and you’ll be able to change the layout of their cage according to your rats personal preferences if you have any special tips or tricks that you’ve learned about setting up rat cages please share them in the comments I hope this tutorial was helpful for you guys I figured it would be useful for anyone who has a hard time finding the right layout for their cage or has just never had rats before and doesn’t quite understand how this cage setup nonsense works thank you guys so much for watching if you enjoyed this video please give it a big thumbs up if you absolutely loved it you can support me on patreon to make sure that I can continue making educational videos for fellow rat parents I’m the rat guru and please subscribe to learn more about all things pet rats.

Why Small Rat Cages Don’t Work?

Video Transcript:

Hi everyone the raku were here I wanted to make a quick video about small rat cages and why they are unsuitable for pet rats as permanent housing after watching Aaron’s animals video on the same topic regarding hamsters I decided to make my own version for rats I currently have Braley and Aubrey in this cage to demonstrate how a pair of rats would look living in a cage this size the cage I’ll be using in this video is a katie rat home which is marketed as a permanent living space for adult rats the size of this cage is 24 inches long 12 inches wide and 12 inches high remember that the recommended minimum cage size requirement for pet rats is 2 cubic feet so this cage is just barely half of that size unfortunately this is a very common size for a cage marketed towards rats that can be found in countless pet stores so I’m going to demonstrate exactly what’s wrong with cages this size to start off we need to know exactly what kinds of things rats need in their cage to make it suitable in my video on rat cage accessories I break down the most important items you need for your cage the most necessary cage accessories include levels hammocks hideaways boxes chew toys climbing toys nesting material and of course food and water adding a food bowl and a water bottle doesn’t seem to take up much room the girls still seem to have plenty of space to move around however as you can see Braley is already monkey barring which for her is pretty normal but this is usually a sign of boredom or stress rats need to have at least one place to hide so I’m going to add a properly sized hideaway a large 12 inch igloo is the perfect size for rats any size is smaller than this don’t allow for two rats to comfortably snuggle inside you’ll probably notice first that this igloo takes up a large portion of this cage I’ve only added one accessory and now half of the cage space is occupied brats love to sleep in high up places so next I’ll add a hammock this hammock is relatively small but it’s large enough for two rats to sleep in comfortably although this hammock is very small adding it takes up another large portion of the cage space there isn’t much more room left to hang anything else this may seem fine to the untrained eye they have everything they need don’t they food water a hammock and a hideaway should suffice right well yes they do have the bare minimum but what about enrichment rats are the most intelligent species of rodent and they need lots of entertainment to keep them from getting bored or stressed they spend at least 23 hours a day in their cage so it needs to be as much fun as possible this setup is very very boring and there’s not much for them to do in here rats love to climb so it’s important to add at least one climbing toy to enrich your cage a lava ledge is great for climbing as well as keeping your rats nails nice and trim there’s nowhere I can really place the lava ledge where it will be high enough to be fun for the girls to climb the height of this lava ledge is the equivalent of an adult human climbing a six-foot ladder and being able to touch the ceiling not very fun if you ask me now we need to add a few more toys adding a hanging toy proves to be rather difficult as well even the smallest of toys that I have hangs low enough that it sits on top of the igloo after adding a simple knot nibbler there’s hardly any room left for the girls to push it around and play with it notice how much floor space a single toy takes up everything that’s in this cage is the bare minimum of what you should have in your rat cage there are very few things in here yet it’s very cramped and there’s hardly any room for my girls to move around optionally you can add a wheel to your cage to allow your Rabb some exercise while they’re not however the smallest sized wheel that safe for rats is a 12 inch diameter which doesn’t even fit in this cage even without a wheel there’s hardly any room left for the rats to move around some may argue that there’s too much stuff in the cage or perhaps the items in it are too big but just as Aaron said in her video that’s not really the point again the more things we remove the more boring the cage will be on top of that rats are rather large rodents the size of these accessories are just right for rats adult female rats are relatively small so why don’t we try this setup with larger rats instead of girls let’s try it with two of my boys for the sake of argument I’ll place my two largest boys in here beside in and have it there’s barely any floor space and there’s hardly any height for the rats decline to begin with a properly sized cage for two rats should be at least three times this size rats intelligence levels and logical skills are very similar to that of a human rats can problem solve they have complex relationships and emotions they feel compassion and empathy and they can even do very basic mathematical calculations knowing this it’s not difficult to put yourself in a rats perspective imagine yourself in a room that’s this small and cramped when purchasing a suitable size cage for your rats try to imagine yourself being the same size as a rat and what it would feel like to you the main difference being you might like to have less furniture in a room to make it more spacious but rats love to have crowded cluttered cages as long as they have enough room to move around unfortunately this cage is very commonly sold to novice rat parents who don’t know how big their babies are going to get or how much space they will actually need these cages are perfectly fine as a temporary cage for young rats a travel page or a nursery so you don’t actually need to avoid them entirely just remember that they’re not suitable permanent housing for rats of any size or age if you’re interested in learning more about rat cage sizes please watch my playlist entitled all about rat cages by clicking on the card in the top right corner you may be surprised to see just how many options there are for rat cages special thanks to all members of the brewer crew on patreon for making this video possible to join the crew click on the guru crew icon in the corner you can follow me by clicking all of my social media links in the description if you’re new here click on the playlist below to watch my complete guide to rad care and don’t forget to click on subject space or that big red button down below to subscribe and learn more about all things pet rats.

Final Verdict on Best Rat Cages for 2021

Overall, this buying guide and FAQ will certainly go a long way if you are thinking of getting a rat cage for your beloved pet. Now you will be able to decide on the best cage for pet mouse which will keep your pet safe, secure, and entertained.

Apart from the points mentioned above, make sure that you consider your house and its rooms while buying the cage. When you ultimately go to buy, make a shortlist of the models you like. Then make a pros and cons list of them. After careful consideration, decide on the one which suits you and your pet’s needs the best.

Overall, the perfect rat cage should be comfortable for your pet and they should feel safe and secure in them. It should be spacious enough to keep your little friends ventilated properly and give them enough space to move around. Not to mention, there should be different levels in the cage which should keep the animals entertained.

Hopefully, this guide has enriched your knowledge about the kind of cages that are best suited for your pet.

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