Rat Care
Did you know that how your rat lives their life inside their cage can greatly impact their ability to learn? Studies have shown that rats kept in small, bare cages with little toys to interact and engage with do much worse on problem solving tests than their engaged brethren. By keeping your rats in a large, spacious cage with many toys and other rats you can provide an enriching environment that encourages learning and communication.
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You can watch this video for a general rundown of basic rat care! |
Cages
As you've probably noticed, there are many rat cages on the market, and not all of them are good. Most of them are also quite expensive, so when you buy a cage you want to make sure that you're getting a quality item that will last you for many years to come.
Before getting a rat cage, I recommend researching quite a few different cages. You want to take things like accessibility (larger doors are better for cleaning and rat access), bar spacing (young rats and small adults need 1/2 inch bar spacing), maneuverability (some cages have wheels), size (many times pictures are deceiving so you should always look at the dimensions before deciding. Don't forget to subtract the stand size from the height!), along with measure a few other things like price and durability. My cage of choice is the critter nation, however there are also many other good cages out there, some of which I will list below. A website like the rat cage calculator is also a useful tool for finding out how many rats your cage can comfortably support, calculating either using the 2 or 2.5 cubic feet per rat rule.
American Cages:
Excellent Cages:
The Critter Nation
Ahh, the critter nation. A classic cage that's suitable for rats of any age and size. A single critter nation can fit up to 6 rats comfortable, and every add on creates room for up 6 more rats (although to maximize comfort I recommend sticking to 4-5 rats max per additional unit).
In terms of rat US rat cages the CN is one of the best commercial cages available. It has horizontal bars (allowing for easy climbing) which are 1/2 an inch apart, preventing escape from even the smallest rats and giving them ample room to climb around. It also has full opening doors, which allows for easy rat access and easy cleaning.
The critter nations large interior space is also conductive to hanging toys and hammocks to your hearts desire. It even comes with an extra sturdy shelf that can be placed at 3 different levels of height on both sides, and since this shelf has a metal base it can support bedding and heavier items (a big benefit over the flimsy plastic only shelves seen in many smaller cages).
The only really downside to critter nations functionally would be the pans, which are unfortunately plastic and only 3/4 an inch high. This means that if you want to use bedding like I do then you will need to modify these pans. You can either do this by buying the midwest scatter guard (which I recommend against as it is difficult to clean and breaks easily, plus doesn't work very well), make your own pan, buy a cement mixing tub (the 24 by 36 inch one from Home Depot fits the CN base perfectly - its a tight fit, but it works pretty well). or buy custom pans (I currently use metal deep pans in my critter nation from the website bass equipment).
Overall the critter nation is one of the best rat cages out there and the small downside of a short plastic pan is fairly easy to fix. Because of this if you have the space and funds I'd really recommend looking into the critter nation.
Do note that there is a similar cage made by the same company called the ferret nation, and this cage only differs from the critter nation with its bar spacing and vertical running bars. The ferret nation has 1 inch bar spacing so young rats or small/medium adults will be able to escape unless you hardware cloth it, and because this is a fairly difficult task especially with such a large cage I'd recommend you skip the ferret nation and go for the critter nation (same size but with 1/2 horizontal bars) instead!
You can find the critter nation single, double, and add-on units available here
In terms of rat US rat cages the CN is one of the best commercial cages available. It has horizontal bars (allowing for easy climbing) which are 1/2 an inch apart, preventing escape from even the smallest rats and giving them ample room to climb around. It also has full opening doors, which allows for easy rat access and easy cleaning.
The critter nations large interior space is also conductive to hanging toys and hammocks to your hearts desire. It even comes with an extra sturdy shelf that can be placed at 3 different levels of height on both sides, and since this shelf has a metal base it can support bedding and heavier items (a big benefit over the flimsy plastic only shelves seen in many smaller cages).
The only really downside to critter nations functionally would be the pans, which are unfortunately plastic and only 3/4 an inch high. This means that if you want to use bedding like I do then you will need to modify these pans. You can either do this by buying the midwest scatter guard (which I recommend against as it is difficult to clean and breaks easily, plus doesn't work very well), make your own pan, buy a cement mixing tub (the 24 by 36 inch one from Home Depot fits the CN base perfectly - its a tight fit, but it works pretty well). or buy custom pans (I currently use metal deep pans in my critter nation from the website bass equipment).
Overall the critter nation is one of the best rat cages out there and the small downside of a short plastic pan is fairly easy to fix. Because of this if you have the space and funds I'd really recommend looking into the critter nation.
Do note that there is a similar cage made by the same company called the ferret nation, and this cage only differs from the critter nation with its bar spacing and vertical running bars. The ferret nation has 1 inch bar spacing so young rats or small/medium adults will be able to escape unless you hardware cloth it, and because this is a fairly difficult task especially with such a large cage I'd recommend you skip the ferret nation and go for the critter nation (same size but with 1/2 horizontal bars) instead!
You can find the critter nation single, double, and add-on units available here
Martin's Cages
Martin's cages are another classic when it comes to good rat cages. Like the CN, these cages are made of quality material with fairly large doors (which can be customized when the cage is ordered) for ease of access and cleaning. However, unlike the bulky (and HEAVY!) CN, these cages are much lighter and generally easier to move around. This can make deep cleaning much easier than with a CN, as you can just empty the cage, pick it up, and transport it to the bathroom for cleaning.
Another nice thing about Martin's cages is the price. These cages comes in various sizes, and tend to be fairly cheap compared to other same sized cages. Like the CN, they have 1/2 inch bar spacing as well, meaning that even the youngest rats can live in them without chance of escape. You can even have the company customize them to some extent, adding larger doors, flip top lids, and having them powder coated (pro tip: if you get a Martin's cage, it MUST be powder coated. Its a bit more expensive, but non-powder coated cages will actually absorb urine, leading to a stink that can't be removed!)
Finally, I just want to note that Martin's does list several cages as "good permanent homes" for rats that are a bit too small. When buying a Martin's cage to be a permanent home for your rats, you want to choose the "rat lodge (R-680)" or bigger.
Another nice thing about Martin's cages is the price. These cages comes in various sizes, and tend to be fairly cheap compared to other same sized cages. Like the CN, they have 1/2 inch bar spacing as well, meaning that even the youngest rats can live in them without chance of escape. You can even have the company customize them to some extent, adding larger doors, flip top lids, and having them powder coated (pro tip: if you get a Martin's cage, it MUST be powder coated. Its a bit more expensive, but non-powder coated cages will actually absorb urine, leading to a stink that can't be removed!)
Finally, I just want to note that Martin's does list several cages as "good permanent homes" for rats that are a bit too small. When buying a Martin's cage to be a permanent home for your rats, you want to choose the "rat lodge (R-680)" or bigger.
Link to the Martin's cages site: http://www.martinscages.com/rats.html
Exotic Nutrition Mansion Cage
The Exotic Nutrients mansion cage is very similar in design and build to the critter nation. Like the CN it can be bought as a single unit, or a double, and add on units can be bought and connected at any time. Spacing wise this cage is a tad smaller than the critter nation, with a single unit being good for 4-5 rats max and a double being good for up to 9 rats (although going a few under the maximum is recommended for max comfort).
The main difference between this cage and the critter nation however (other than size) is that only one door side opens. This can somewhat complicate cleaning and cage access, although because of how large the door is it isn't nearly as difficult as having a a smaller door might be. This cage is also fully metal, with metal siding that prevents bedding from getting kicked out.
Overall this is a good cage for rats and while it does have some downsides it is overall a solid choice.
You can find the exotic nutrients cage single, double, and add-on units available here.
The main difference between this cage and the critter nation however (other than size) is that only one door side opens. This can somewhat complicate cleaning and cage access, although because of how large the door is it isn't nearly as difficult as having a a smaller door might be. This cage is also fully metal, with metal siding that prevents bedding from getting kicked out.
Overall this is a good cage for rats and while it does have some downsides it is overall a solid choice.
You can find the exotic nutrients cage single, double, and add-on units available here.
Prevue Rat and Chinchilla Cage 495
This cage is probably one of the most popular choices alongside the single critter nation. Like that cage the Prevue 495 is able to fit 5-6 rats at max, and is the ideal home for rats of all ages and sizes due to its 1/2 inch bar spacing. Its door is on the smaller side considering its overall size, but its also a lot larger than most small cage doors and isn't too hard to get around.
Overall this cage is a excellent choice if you are looking to have a small to medium group of rats. Its a great size, has nice shelving, and if you take the pan and put it on top of the wire grate you can easily use bedding inside.
You can find the Prevue Rat and Chinchilla 495 Cage here.
Overall this cage is a excellent choice if you are looking to have a small to medium group of rats. Its a great size, has nice shelving, and if you take the pan and put it on top of the wire grate you can easily use bedding inside.
You can find the Prevue Rat and Chinchilla 495 Cage here.
YAHEETECH Extra Large Bird Cage
This bird cage is a great option for those looking for a larger rat cage. Like the critter nation it can fit up to 12 rats, although its always best to go a bit under the max number to maximize the rats comfort. This cage also has 1/2 inch bar spacing, making it good for rats of any age and size.
The main downside to this cage would be the doors and height. The doors themselves are a fair size, but not large enough for easy access to all of the cage. As for the height problem this cage is quite tall, meaning that if a rat falls from the top it could easily injure them or worse. As such if you use this cage you need to provide lots of fall breakers, to protect the rats if then slip up.
Overall this is quite a nice cage and as long as you provide lots of fall breakers its ideal for rats.
You can find the YAHEETECH bird Cage here.
The main downside to this cage would be the doors and height. The doors themselves are a fair size, but not large enough for easy access to all of the cage. As for the height problem this cage is quite tall, meaning that if a rat falls from the top it could easily injure them or worse. As such if you use this cage you need to provide lots of fall breakers, to protect the rats if then slip up.
Overall this is quite a nice cage and as long as you provide lots of fall breakers its ideal for rats.
You can find the YAHEETECH bird Cage here.
Great Cages:
Kaytee My First Home Habitat Multi-Level for Exotics
The Kaytee my first home habitat multi-level for exotics is one of the most common choices as a first rat cage. This cage has a lot of pros - a big one being the price, which tends to be a fair bit less than other similar-sized cages. Size wise this cage is about 2/3 the size of a single critter nation - as such it can hold 2-4 rats comfortably, although its good to go one or two under the minimum in order to maximize their comfort.
This cage sports 1/2 inch bar spacing, which means it works well for baby rats and small adults alike. Its pan is nice and deep, perfect for keeping in bedding. Unfortunately the pan is plastic, which means that it can be chewed. Because its hard plastic most rats won't chew it as long as they have other available enrichment, however if you get a chewer rat then this base isn't going to stop them from escaping.
The other downside is that the small doors can also be a bit of a detriment when cleaning. The platforms can also be a bit difficult to move around, but as they aren't essential to use this isn't a huge problem. Keep in mind that kaytee does also sell a ferret version of this cage with 1 inch bar spacing, so make sure you don't but that by accident as if you do and you have smaller rats you will probably have to hardware cloth it.
Overall this isn't a bad cage, but it does have some major drawbacks that should be considered before purchasing it.
You can find the Kaytee My First Home Habitat Multi-Level for Exotics Cage here.
Prevue Hendryx Wrought Iron Flight Cage
This flight cage is a good option for those that want a large rat cage but are looking for a cheaper option than the critter nation. This cage is a fair bit smaller than the DCN, fitting around 8 rats at max. Its small doors can make cleaning and rat access a bit difficult and the lack of shelves means you will need to get creative, but otherwise its a fairly good cage.
The wheels make this cage easy to maneuver and if you slide the pan inside on top of the wire it can hold bedding fairly well. Its bars may be horizontal but they are spaced only 1/2 an inch apart which makes it ideal for young and small rats.
Overall this cage is fairly good for its price, being a great size and having good bar spacing for even smaller rats.
You can find the Prevue Hendryx Flight Cage here.
The wheels make this cage easy to maneuver and if you slide the pan inside on top of the wire it can hold bedding fairly well. Its bars may be horizontal but they are spaced only 1/2 an inch apart which makes it ideal for young and small rats.
Overall this cage is fairly good for its price, being a great size and having good bar spacing for even smaller rats.
You can find the Prevue Hendryx Flight Cage here.
Rat Manor
The rat manor is a good first choice for a small group of rats, Its a very small cage though, so the max number of rats who can live there comfortably is only 3, with 2 being the recommended number. Even so its not a bad cage, being fully metal (including the nice deep metal pan), having 1/2 inch bar spacing, and being easy to transport due to its small size and light construct.
It does have its downsides of course, with the size being a minor downside especially if you want to have a larger group of rats. The small door is also a bit of an issue when trying to clean or access your rats, and the platforms are wire and slot on to the cage sides which can be difficult to maneuver and difficult to cover.
Overall its not a bad cage overall and for its price its worth the minor downsides.
You can find the Rat Manor Cage at Petco or online here.
It does have its downsides of course, with the size being a minor downside especially if you want to have a larger group of rats. The small door is also a bit of an issue when trying to clean or access your rats, and the platforms are wire and slot on to the cage sides which can be difficult to maneuver and difficult to cover.
Overall its not a bad cage overall and for its price its worth the minor downsides.
You can find the Rat Manor Cage at Petco or online here.
All Living Things Rat Starter Kit
The All Living Things Rat Starter Kit cage is PetSmarts cage version of the Kaytee exotic cage mentioned above. Its about the same size, being good for 2-4 rats and having 1/2 inch bar spacing which is good for young and small rats. It also has a nice deep plastic bottom, although like with the Kaytee cage this pan is made of plastic and may be chewed by more chewing inclined rats.
The main difference between this cage and the Kaytee version has less to do with the cages (which are nearly identical in all but color) and more with the other things included in the kit. This Petsmart cage comes with a variety of other "rat starter" items, such as rat food, bedding, a wheel, and so forth. Unfortunately most of these items are not good for rats, with the main exceptions being the poor quality hammock and 12 inch wheel.
If we ignore the other items included in this rat kit and examine the cage alone its a fairly good cage. It has the nice benefit of being able to be bought in store, and the deep pan and small bar spacing can make it good first rat cage. It does have its downsides, but overall its a fairly good cage for a small group of rats.
You can find the All Living Things Rat Starter Kit Cage at PetSmart or online here.
The main difference between this cage and the Kaytee version has less to do with the cages (which are nearly identical in all but color) and more with the other things included in the kit. This Petsmart cage comes with a variety of other "rat starter" items, such as rat food, bedding, a wheel, and so forth. Unfortunately most of these items are not good for rats, with the main exceptions being the poor quality hammock and 12 inch wheel.
If we ignore the other items included in this rat kit and examine the cage alone its a fairly good cage. It has the nice benefit of being able to be bought in store, and the deep pan and small bar spacing can make it good first rat cage. It does have its downsides, but overall its a fairly good cage for a small group of rats.
You can find the All Living Things Rat Starter Kit Cage at PetSmart or online here.
Prevue 490 Corner Ferret Cage
This cage is unique in that unlike other cage it is designed to fit in a corner. This definitely gives it a bit of an advantage over other cages if you are looking for a space saving cage. It does have a few disadvantages though, with the 7/8th inch bar spacing meaning you won't be able to use it with young rats or small adults without hardware clothing it. And since due to its shape it will be difficult to hardware cloth this can be a bit of an issue.
Nonetheless its large size, unique shape, and overall quality makes it a fairly good choice if you have larger rats.
You can find the Prevue Corner Cage here.
3 Level Small Animal Cage
This cage is a bit on the small side, only being good for a pair of rats really, but considering its price its still a fairly good deal. The doors are a bit small, but at least the 1/2 inch bar spacing makes it appropriate for even young or small rats. The bars are a bit on the weak side, but this is an issue most smaller cages suffer from and since rats are fairly light animals it doesn't really affect them.
Overall this cage isn't a bad choice if you are looking for a quality cage on the cheaper side and only plan to have a pair of rats.
You can find the 3 Level Small Animal Cage here.
Amazon Basics Small Animal Cage
Like the Critter Nation and Exotic Nutrient Mansion cages mentioned above the Amazon Basics cage follows the same design. Its actually fairly similar to the Exotic Nutrients cage, with one notable exception - and that is that the bar spacing is 3/4 of an inch instead of 1/2 an inch. This makes this cage unsuitable for young rats or small adults, although this can be remedied by buying 1/2 inch hardware cloth (metal mesh) and metal zip-ties and zip-tying the hardware cloth to the cage.
Otherwise this cage is a bit smaller than the critter nation, with the single unit being good for up to 4-5 rats and the double up to 8-9 rats. The pans are plastic like the critter nation and are only 3/4 an inch high, meaning that if you want to use bedding you will need to modify the pans. Like the Exotics cage only one side of the cage has a functioning door, but it is fairly large so this shouldn't be too much of a detriment.
Overall this is a fairly good cage, although for this design you can find better options that don't require any modification to use with smaller rats. The biggest upside this cage has on the ones listed above is the price - in general this cage tends to be on the cheaper side for its size, and so if you have larger rats or are willing to modify it then it might be worth the downsides.
You can find the Amazon Basics Small Animal Cage here.
Otherwise this cage is a bit smaller than the critter nation, with the single unit being good for up to 4-5 rats and the double up to 8-9 rats. The pans are plastic like the critter nation and are only 3/4 an inch high, meaning that if you want to use bedding you will need to modify the pans. Like the Exotics cage only one side of the cage has a functioning door, but it is fairly large so this shouldn't be too much of a detriment.
Overall this is a fairly good cage, although for this design you can find better options that don't require any modification to use with smaller rats. The biggest upside this cage has on the ones listed above is the price - in general this cage tends to be on the cheaper side for its size, and so if you have larger rats or are willing to modify it then it might be worth the downsides.
You can find the Amazon Basics Small Animal Cage here.
Good Cages:
Feisty Ferret Cage
The feisty ferret cage is another good cage choice for many rat owners. Despite looking like the double critter nation, it is actually closer in size to a single critter nation (overall it can hold up to 8-9 rats, opposed to the max of 5-6 rats in a single CN or the 11-12 max in a double CN). Even so, this cage gives you ample room to hang toys and other enrichment items around the cage for the rats to enjoy. And at its fairly low price in comparison to other similar cages, it may be a better option if you are looking to save some money on rat supplies.
The biggest downside compared to the critter nation and other similar cages listed above is the bar spacing. At 7/8ths of an inch it is a bit too wide to use with young rats or small adults. So if you plan on using this cage with younger or smaller rats, you are going to need to add 1/2 inch hardware cloth to it, at least until they grow large enough that slipping out is no longer an issue.
The other downside this cage has is that only one side has doors that open. Like other similar style cages this door is large enough that this isn't a huge detriment, but you should still take it into account.
You can find the Feisty Ferret Cage here.
Frisky Ferret
The frisky ferret is another wire cage, although this one is quite a bit smaller than the single critter nation (only fits 3-4 rats max as opposed to the single CN's 6 max). In addition to this, like the feisty ferret listed above only one side on this cage has a door, which can somewhat impede access. Nonetheless it provides ample space for a small group of rats, and its fairly cheap price can make it a great option if you aren't looking to spend too much on a cage.
The only downsides here are very similar to the feisty ferret cage. Like the FF, it has a bar spacing of 7/8ths of an inch, which is too big for housing any young rats or small adults. You can fix this with some zip ties and 1/2 inch hardware cloth, but especially if you have females it might be better to look for a cage with tighter bar spacing.
You can find the Frisky Ferret Cage here.
The only downsides here are very similar to the feisty ferret cage. Like the FF, it has a bar spacing of 7/8ths of an inch, which is too big for housing any young rats or small adults. You can fix this with some zip ties and 1/2 inch hardware cloth, but especially if you have females it might be better to look for a cage with tighter bar spacing.
You can find the Frisky Ferret Cage here.
Yaheetech 37’’ Metal Ferret Cage
This cage is a great size (and price!) for housing 2-4 rats. But just like many of the previous cages, its problem mainly lies in the bar spacing. With a bar spacing of 1 inch just about any young rat or small/medium adult could get through the bars. And if you have females (or small males), they might never get to the size necessary to prevent them from escaping. This means that to use this cage with small rats or young rats you will likely need to hardware cloth it with 1/2 inch hardware cloth and zip ties in order to use it, and because of its strange shaped top this can be a bit difficult. The side levels also suffer from lack of size, but this can be easily remedied by removing them and using hammocks and other hanging toys to create a safe and fun way for your rat to climb around the cage.
Overall the Yaheetech is a nice size and fairly good quality considering its low price. It has a fair amount of downsides, but if you are looking for a cheaper cage and are willing to modify then it is a fair choice.
You can find the Yaheetech Ferret Cage here.
Kaytee My First Home Deluxe Multi-Level Pet Home with Casters
- This cage is fairly decent for its price, being able to house 3-4 rats pretty comfortable. It has a deep pan perfect for bedding, and is light and easy to transport. The bar spacing at 1 inch is likely too big for smaller/younger rats though, so depending on your rats size you may have to hardware cloth it. The small doors are also a bit of an issue, as they can make access to the cage difficult.
Overall this cage is a good option if you are looking for a smaller cage on the cheaper side that is easy to transport. Its not the best quality cage, and may need to be modified for smaller rats, but overall for its price to size ratio it is not a bad option.
You can find the Kaytee My First Home Deluxe Cage here.
UK/European Cages:
Excellent Cages:
Liberta Explorer/Pet Planet Cage
These 2 cages are basically the UK equivalent to the Double Critter Nation. Like the DCN, they can house up to 12 rats. Both of these cages also open fully, which makes rat access and cleaning these cages quite easy. They also have appropriate bar spacing for rats of any age, and of course plenty of room to decorate to your hearts content! These cages can also be separated into 2 separate cages if you wish to house different rat groups/sexes.
However, they also suffer from the same flaw as the DCN, with that problem being the shallow pans. These cages pans are just as thin and useless (bedding-wise) and the critter nations, so unless you plan on using fleece you will need to replace those pans pronto.
Overall, if you're looking for a large quality cage with easy access and lots of room for your rat to explore, then either of these cages would be a good choice!
You can find the Liberta Explorer Cage and Pet Planet Cage here.
However, they also suffer from the same flaw as the DCN, with that problem being the shallow pans. These cages pans are just as thin and useless (bedding-wise) and the critter nations, so unless you plan on using fleece you will need to replace those pans pronto.
Overall, if you're looking for a large quality cage with easy access and lots of room for your rat to explore, then either of these cages would be a good choice!
You can find the Liberta Explorer Cage and Pet Planet Cage here.
Savic Royal Suite
Like the aforementioned Liberta Explorer, the Savic Royal Suite (SRS) is very similar to the Double Critter Nation. It too can comfortably hold 12 rats of any age, and its large doors make cage access for cleaning and rat wrangling quite easy. And just like the LE and DCN, the two parts can separate entirely to create housing for 2 separate groups of rats!
However, this cage actually has a few upgrades over the DCN and LE. For starters, it tends to be much more durable and less prone to rusting. It also has a built-in bedding guard, something thats sorely lacking in the DCN and LE. You can also find this cage in 2 versions, with the 95 being similar in size to the DCN and LE, but the Savic royal suite X-Large being several cubit feet larger and being able to house up to 16 rats comfortably!
Overall, the SRS is an amazing cage that any rat will enjoy calling home. Its spacious enough for you to shower the rats with fun activities and toys, and its large size lets you give your rats a wonderland of enrichment to enjoy!
You can find the Savic Royal Suite 95 here.
You can find the Savic Royal Suite X-Large here.
However, this cage actually has a few upgrades over the DCN and LE. For starters, it tends to be much more durable and less prone to rusting. It also has a built-in bedding guard, something thats sorely lacking in the DCN and LE. You can also find this cage in 2 versions, with the 95 being similar in size to the DCN and LE, but the Savic royal suite X-Large being several cubit feet larger and being able to house up to 16 rats comfortably!
Overall, the SRS is an amazing cage that any rat will enjoy calling home. Its spacious enough for you to shower the rats with fun activities and toys, and its large size lets you give your rats a wonderland of enrichment to enjoy!
You can find the Savic Royal Suite 95 here.
You can find the Savic Royal Suite X-Large here.
Good Cages:
Ferplast FURAT
This cage is a great choice for 2-5 rats. It has ideal bar spacing for young rats and adult rats of any size, along with a deep base that is ideal for keeping in bedding. Like many small cages it does have the downsides of small side doors, however as it also contains a large door on top of the cage this isn't too much of a problem.
The largest downside to this cage is really just the plastic pan - this pan is made of a quality plastic, however if you have a determined rat they may be able to chew out.
Overall this is a good cage for a small group of rats and as long as you don't have any chewers it should suit a group of 2-5 rats fairly well.
You can find the Ferplast FURAT Cage here.
The largest downside to this cage is really just the plastic pan - this pan is made of a quality plastic, however if you have a determined rat they may be able to chew out.
Overall this is a good cage for a small group of rats and as long as you don't have any chewers it should suit a group of 2-5 rats fairly well.
You can find the Ferplast FURAT Cage here.
Royal Little Friends Langham Tall rat and Hamster Cage
This cage is a good choice for 2-3 rats. Its a bit on the small side, but considering the price its not a bad choice. Like other ideal rat cages it has 1/2 inch bar spacing along with a deep pan, although like many small cages it suffers from small doors which can somewhat impede access. It does also contain a large top door however and this really negates a lot of issues that typically come with a small door.
The main issues with this cage come in that the base is plastic, meaning determined rats may be able to chew out, and the shelving is wooden, meaning that once it gets soaked in urine or chewed up it will need to be thrown out. Thankfully at least in the case of the shelving it really isn't necessary and its easy enough to buy new shelfs that will fit or just fill the cage up with a lot of items to replace the shelves.
Overall this is a great cage especially considering the price, and is a good investment if you
are looking for a cage on the cheaper side for a smaller group of rats.
You can find the Royal Little Friends Langham Cage here.
The main issues with this cage come in that the base is plastic, meaning determined rats may be able to chew out, and the shelving is wooden, meaning that once it gets soaked in urine or chewed up it will need to be thrown out. Thankfully at least in the case of the shelving it really isn't necessary and its easy enough to buy new shelfs that will fit or just fill the cage up with a lot of items to replace the shelves.
Overall this is a great cage especially considering the price, and is a good investment if you
are looking for a cage on the cheaper side for a smaller group of rats.
You can find the Royal Little Friends Langham Cage here.
Ferplast FURET Tower
This large cage is great for both a small or large group of rats alike! It contains 1/2 inch bar spacing which makes it perfect for both young rats and adult rats of any size, and its deep pans are great for keeping bedding in. The small doors are a bit of a downside, however they are a fair bit bigger than most smaller doors and can still fit most items fairly easily.
The biggest downside to this cage is the plastic pans, which can potentially be chewed. Thankfully with such a large cage the possibility of this is fairly low, but it is something to consider. Like the CN you can also buy singles of this cage, meaning that if you want to start smaller or add on later that is a viable option.
Overall this is a huge cage that can fit 2-14 rats fairly comfortably. Its a huge cage and especially if you are looking to expand the amount of room your rats have this cage is perfect!
You can find the Ferplast FURET Single and Double Tower Cage here.
Australian Cages - Excellent
Ferret Kingdom
The Ferret Kingdom is the Australian equivalent of the double critter nation. Like the DCN it can house up to 12 rats comfortably, has 1/2 inch bar spacing (so great for rats of any age and size), has fully opening doors on both sides of the cage (for easy rat access and cleaning), is mounted on wheels for easy maneuverability, and comes with 2 nice sized side shelves. like the DCN and other similar cages it does suffer from the fault of shallow plastic pans, but these are easy enough to remedy if you want to use bedding, and if you want to use fleece won't be an issue.
Overall the Ferret kingdom is a great cage for rats and other small animals and its a great choice if you are looking for a roomy cage that allows you to give your rats tons of fun enrichment options!
You can find the Ferret Kingdom Cage here.
Overall the Ferret kingdom is a great cage for rats and other small animals and its a great choice if you are looking for a roomy cage that allows you to give your rats tons of fun enrichment options!
You can find the Ferret Kingdom Cage here.
Other Cages:
If you can't find a suitable rat-specific cage, don't be afraid to branch out and try cages meant for other animals. Bird cages often work great for rats, and even a cat cage or dog crate can work once hardware clothed. You can also make your own cage, either using a bin and hardware cloth or something like a bookshelf along with wire mesh. Overall there are a lot of options for cages and its perfectly fine to buy or make a cage that isn't usually used for rats, provided its safe for them and prevents escapes.
Toys
Buying or making toys and then watching your rats enjoy them is one of the things I find most enjoyable about owning rats. From tunnels to hammocks to chinchilla ledges and treat puzzles, the amount of toys available for rats can seem endless!
Below I've compiled a list of my favorite toys. Each of these toys has been tried and tested by my girls, and in many cases I find myself going back to get more as my rats destroy them:
Fun Tunnels
These awesome tunnels can be stretched into any shape! They make great agility obstacles, but even more than that they allow your rat to have a grand ol' time stuffing them full of bedding and sleeping in their new cozy den. My girls loves these tunnels, and in the past I've even taped 2 or 3 together to create an extra long, extra fun burrowing system that allowed the rats to travel all over the cage! The possibilities are practically endless, and if your looking for a fun way to spice up your rats cage or free-range area than these are some great toys to have.
You can find these tunnels in many pet shops, or online here.
These awesome tunnels can be stretched into any shape! They make great agility obstacles, but even more than that they allow your rat to have a grand ol' time stuffing them full of bedding and sleeping in their new cozy den. My girls loves these tunnels, and in the past I've even taped 2 or 3 together to create an extra long, extra fun burrowing system that allowed the rats to travel all over the cage! The possibilities are practically endless, and if your looking for a fun way to spice up your rats cage or free-range area than these are some great toys to have.
You can find these tunnels in many pet shops, or online here.
Space Pods
SPACE PODS (aka Sputniks) ARE THE BEST! But seriously, my girls love their space pods/sputniks the most out of any hammock or house! These amazing house-hammocks can be hung from your cage bars, or turned on their head to create a movable house that can be placed on the cage floor. Best of all, rats adore these things, and ever since getting one (actually 5...what can I say, they're awesome!) I've rarely seen my girls sleep anywhere else when a space pods in the cage. Even my normally anti-hammock girl Cream enjoys taking a quick snooze in a space pod, and all 7 of my rats enjoy piling in together to stay warm and cozy. Space pods/Sputniks can be mounted on the bars using the clips on their feet, or placed upright on the ground. Either way rats will enjoy them and they are one of the rat toys you can't go wrong with!
When buying space pods, I recommend you go for the largest one you can find. My girls have a large space pod, and even so when all 7 pile in one inevitably ends up sleeping with half their body hanging outside the pod itself!
You can find these space pods/sputniks in some pet shops, or online here.
SPACE PODS (aka Sputniks) ARE THE BEST! But seriously, my girls love their space pods/sputniks the most out of any hammock or house! These amazing house-hammocks can be hung from your cage bars, or turned on their head to create a movable house that can be placed on the cage floor. Best of all, rats adore these things, and ever since getting one (actually 5...what can I say, they're awesome!) I've rarely seen my girls sleep anywhere else when a space pods in the cage. Even my normally anti-hammock girl Cream enjoys taking a quick snooze in a space pod, and all 7 of my rats enjoy piling in together to stay warm and cozy. Space pods/Sputniks can be mounted on the bars using the clips on their feet, or placed upright on the ground. Either way rats will enjoy them and they are one of the rat toys you can't go wrong with!
When buying space pods, I recommend you go for the largest one you can find. My girls have a large space pod, and even so when all 7 pile in one inevitably ends up sleeping with half their body hanging outside the pod itself!
You can find these space pods/sputniks in some pet shops, or online here.
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Lava Ledges
These small ledges make perfect platforms to place around the cage. Each is made out of pumice, and does a great job of not only keeping your rat's teeth trim, but helping to trim their nails as well! To anyone out there experience issues with their rats having sharp nails: I GREATLY recommend this product! By placing a lava ledge under each water bottle and in places that the rats frequently go (my girls have a lava ledge staircase at the top of the cage that they frequently play on), they'll trim their own nails and provide some much needed relief to our poor, paper thin human skin.
You can find lava ledges in most pet shops, or online here.
These small ledges make perfect platforms to place around the cage. Each is made out of pumice, and does a great job of not only keeping your rat's teeth trim, but helping to trim their nails as well! To anyone out there experience issues with their rats having sharp nails: I GREATLY recommend this product! By placing a lava ledge under each water bottle and in places that the rats frequently go (my girls have a lava ledge staircase at the top of the cage that they frequently play on), they'll trim their own nails and provide some much needed relief to our poor, paper thin human skin.
You can find lava ledges in most pet shops, or online here.
Bird Ladders
Bird ladders are a great way to supplement your rat's climbing needs. Not only are they great for letting your rat get from place to place, but they're also perfectly safe to chew and some of them can even help keep your rat's nails trim! I probably have 4-5 different bird ladders and cycle through them ever so often. And each time, my rats enjoy chewing, running across, and generally using each ladder to its full extent!
You can find bird ladders in most pet shops, or online here.
Bird ladders are a great way to supplement your rat's climbing needs. Not only are they great for letting your rat get from place to place, but they're also perfectly safe to chew and some of them can even help keep your rat's nails trim! I probably have 4-5 different bird ladders and cycle through them ever so often. And each time, my rats enjoy chewing, running across, and generally using each ladder to its full extent!
You can find bird ladders in most pet shops, or online here.
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Bird Ropes
Like bird ladders, bird ropes are great ways of allowing your rats to express their natural love of climbing. The great thing about these ropes is that not only can they be used to challenge your rat's agility, but they're easy to mold into different shapes and can thus be used in just about any area!
You can find bird ladders in most pet shops, or online here.
Like bird ladders, bird ropes are great ways of allowing your rats to express their natural love of climbing. The great thing about these ropes is that not only can they be used to challenge your rat's agility, but they're easy to mold into different shapes and can thus be used in just about any area!
You can find bird ladders in most pet shops, or online here.
Tents
Bird tents (or any small tents) can make great rat sleeping places. My girls love hanging huts in particular, and while they do tend to destroy them within a few days or weeks, the enjoyment they seem to get out of cuddling inside them makes it all worth it!
You can find bird ladders in most pet shops, or online here.
Bird tents (or any small tents) can make great rat sleeping places. My girls love hanging huts in particular, and while they do tend to destroy them within a few days or weeks, the enjoyment they seem to get out of cuddling inside them makes it all worth it!
You can find bird ladders in most pet shops, or online here.
Foraging Toys
Probably one of the most universally loved toys out there for any rat is a toy that combines puzzles with dispensing treats! So what makes these toys so special? Well, these toys make your rats actually "work" for the treats by figuring out different puzzles! Whether its simply chewing their way to the treat or something more complicated like lifting cups or spinning a tumbler, foraging toys do a great job of keeping rats entertained both inside and outside the cage.
My girls absolutely love their many foraging toys, including foraging wheels, hanging cups, bird food tumblers, foraging drawers, the living world teach N' treat, and many other foraging toys. Keep in mind that many bird foraging toys are perfect cage foraging toys for rats, and many dog or cat foraging toys can be great for enriching free-range time. Rats are smart little critters and so as long as they are strong enough to manipulate the foraging toy they will enjoy working it!
If you would like to read more about some great foraging toys for rats, feel free to visit our foraging toy page here for ideas on both commercial and DIY foraging toys!
Probably one of the most universally loved toys out there for any rat is a toy that combines puzzles with dispensing treats! So what makes these toys so special? Well, these toys make your rats actually "work" for the treats by figuring out different puzzles! Whether its simply chewing their way to the treat or something more complicated like lifting cups or spinning a tumbler, foraging toys do a great job of keeping rats entertained both inside and outside the cage.
My girls absolutely love their many foraging toys, including foraging wheels, hanging cups, bird food tumblers, foraging drawers, the living world teach N' treat, and many other foraging toys. Keep in mind that many bird foraging toys are perfect cage foraging toys for rats, and many dog or cat foraging toys can be great for enriching free-range time. Rats are smart little critters and so as long as they are strong enough to manipulate the foraging toy they will enjoy working it!
If you would like to read more about some great foraging toys for rats, feel free to visit our foraging toy page here for ideas on both commercial and DIY foraging toys!
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Small Animal Activity Cotton Rope Nets
Cotton rope nets are one of the newest rat toys I've discovered, and I couldn't not be more pleased! These nets are high quality, and can be used for just about any purpose. Need a hammock? Cover the rope net up with a piece of fleece and your done! Want an engaging way for your rats to climb? Hang one of these between floors and your rats are guaranteed to have a blast! And to top it off, while my girls don't seem to interested in chewing or marking the net, its made of such quality material that I suspect it could sustain quite a bit of rat-inflicted damage before needing to be replaced.
You can check out my recommended cotton net here (one word of warning - do not buy the cheaper versions of this. I bought one, and found that not only was the cotton dirty, but it wasn't nearly strong enough to support one of my girls, let alone all 7 of them!)
Cotton rope nets are one of the newest rat toys I've discovered, and I couldn't not be more pleased! These nets are high quality, and can be used for just about any purpose. Need a hammock? Cover the rope net up with a piece of fleece and your done! Want an engaging way for your rats to climb? Hang one of these between floors and your rats are guaranteed to have a blast! And to top it off, while my girls don't seem to interested in chewing or marking the net, its made of such quality material that I suspect it could sustain quite a bit of rat-inflicted damage before needing to be replaced.
You can check out my recommended cotton net here (one word of warning - do not buy the cheaper versions of this. I bought one, and found that not only was the cotton dirty, but it wasn't nearly strong enough to support one of my girls, let alone all 7 of them!)
Ecotrition Small Animal Cheesie Chews
These cheese chews are the only chews that my girls will chew to shreds within a few days every time! Technically they're more like treat chews, because they are edible and often my girls will eat part of them as well. However, these cheese chews are perfectly safe for the rats to consume and thus make a perfect occasional treat that has the added bonus of helping to wear down your rat's ever growing teeth!
These chews can also be used to train fetch quite easily, as I've yet to have a rat resist snatching them up right away. On the flip side, they aren't valuable enough for a rat to ignore a regular treat, so its easy to quickly teach your rat to retrieve you a cheese chew for a more valuable treat.
You can find these cheese chews in many pet stores, along with online here.
These cheese chews are the only chews that my girls will chew to shreds within a few days every time! Technically they're more like treat chews, because they are edible and often my girls will eat part of them as well. However, these cheese chews are perfectly safe for the rats to consume and thus make a perfect occasional treat that has the added bonus of helping to wear down your rat's ever growing teeth!
These chews can also be used to train fetch quite easily, as I've yet to have a rat resist snatching them up right away. On the flip side, they aren't valuable enough for a rat to ignore a regular treat, so its easy to quickly teach your rat to retrieve you a cheese chew for a more valuable treat.
You can find these cheese chews in many pet stores, along with online here.
Food
There are quite a few foods out there, and sometimes it can be hard to figure out which ones are the best for your rats. Generally, unless you have time to dedicate to learning about rat nutrition, it is recommended to buy a good lab block instead. Good lab blocks in the US include Oxbow Adult Rat Food (ideal for all ages despite the name, and better than their other rat food formulas), Mazuri Rat Food, and Envigo (formerly Harlan Teklad) for rats. These lab blocks contain all necessary nutrients for rats, and while you still want to feed other foods to help give your rat some variety, these make a great main staple that can be free-fed safely without making your rats fat. Note that if you are outside the US its a good idea to research the recommended lab blocks in your country (for example Science Selective is a great rat lab block in the UK)/Europe), as these will be more readily available and less expensive due to not needing to be imported in.
While lab blocks can be a bit expensive, their quality is well worth it and by buying in bulk and freezing any food you can't use in a timely manner (or keeping it in an air-tight storage bin) you can greatly cut down on this cost (each rat will generally eat around a pound of lab blocks a month, so you should take that into account when buying in bulk). I order the 20 pound Oxbow Adult Rat Food for my 7 rats and it lasts us about 3 months, but costs more than 2 times less than buying the smaller 3 pound bags!
While lab blocks can be a bit expensive, their quality is well worth it and by buying in bulk and freezing any food you can't use in a timely manner (or keeping it in an air-tight storage bin) you can greatly cut down on this cost (each rat will generally eat around a pound of lab blocks a month, so you should take that into account when buying in bulk). I order the 20 pound Oxbow Adult Rat Food for my 7 rats and it lasts us about 3 months, but costs more than 2 times less than buying the smaller 3 pound bags!
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Bedding:
Bedding is an import part of any rat cage. A good bedding needs to be both absorbent and eliminate odor, and while a lot of beddings claim to do this it can be hard to find one that is both safe and works. Paper bedding for example is often colorful and fun to use, but terrible at absorption and odor control. It still has its purpose, and in my case I use crinkled paper bedding in my dig tank, but for your main bedding you will want to use something more effective. In my case I use unscented Yesterday's News as my main bedding, which is originally a cat litter. This bedding is made of both wood and paper, and it consists of compressed pellets which can absorb quite a bit of liquid while also eliminating odor from waste. Other good bedding's include kiln dried pine or kiln dried aspen, both of which are often fairly cheap (especially when bought in bulk) and which are great at odor elimination. Keep in mind that any softwood bedding such as pine needs to be kiln dried in order for it to be rat safe, and while most companies now kiln dry all wooden bedding it is better to be careful and check before purchasing any.
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Deodorizers (Air Purifiers, Dehumidifiers, and Chemical Deodorizers)
While taking good care of your rats and using good bedding and food is a great way to keep your rats odor in check, there are a few extra measures that can help if your rats seem particularly stinky. One of the most popular anti-smell measures is a good quality HEPA air filter - these air purifiers are great for reducing smell while increasing ventilation, making them ideal for rat owners. Back when I had my rats in my small bedroom I had an air purifier on whenever I was in the room, and it really helped keep the room odor-free!
Another good smell deterrent is a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers don't filter the air, instead removing moisture from the air. Anyone that has handled books kept in a humid area will know just how smelly this extra moisture makes them, and the same goes for rats. That's why if you live in a humid are or plan to keep your rats in a humid area its a good idea to invest in a dehumidifier. In my case my rats now live in our finished basement, and while this area gets plenty of ventilation it also tends to get quite humid during the summer months, along with getting humid whenever it rains. And when this happens the rats can get quite stinky, even if otherwise they are fairly odor free. Even since we added our dehumidifier though smell hasn't been an issue, as whenever it gets humid I can just turn it on for a few hours and once the humidity level drops the odor dissipates as well.
Finally the third most useful thing that I've found for rat smell is using a good deodorizer. Now here you have to be careful as anything you use needs to be safe for the rats. In my case I searched around for a bit, before settling on one of the more popular pet deodorizers known as natures miracle. I love this stuff because true to its word it really is odorless and it removes the smell whenever it is sprayed. Its a great tool for cleaning the cage or even for doing touch ups in-between cleanings. It even comes in a wipe version for easy touch up, which is my favorite for in-between cage cleanings!
One note I will make here is that natures miracle does sell a few different formulas, and while I've tried both the normal cat/dog one and small animal one and found that both work, I've also found that the cat/dog one has an odor to it that the small animals one lacks. This odor still dissipates after maybe 15 minutes, but considering that the small animal formula works just as well and doesn't have an odor to start with, I prefer to stick to the small animal formula.
One note I will make here is that natures miracle does sell a few different formulas, and while I've tried both the normal cat/dog one and small animal one and found that both work, I've also found that the cat/dog one has an odor to it that the small animals one lacks. This odor still dissipates after maybe 15 minutes, but considering that the small animal formula works just as well and doesn't have an odor to start with, I prefer to stick to the small animal formula.
Disclosure: Esther (and her site rattrix.weebly.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com