Although rats’ reputation has been bad for centuries, they are intelligent, gentle, and can ride on your shoulder. You’ve made the decision to get a pet rat.
What are the features and size of the cage? No matter how many pets you have, we’ll help you choose the right size cage for them. You want your little pets to feel as comfortable and safe as possible.
How big should the cage be?
If you have one rat, the cage should not be smaller than 1.5 to 2.5 cubic yards (or 18″x15″x12.5″), which is the optimal size. This works out to about 2 cubic feet. The cage size should be larger if you have more rats.
You should make sure that the cage is at least 4 feet in size if you have more than one rat. To minimize fighting, increase the cage size to 8 feet if you add a third rat. This will give them enough room to exercise, play, sleep, and eat.
What about the Cage Height?
The cage should be at least three feet tall so that your rat can stand on its own without having to touch the top. You will need something higher than this. The cage should have enough space for your rat’s to climb around in. It should not be lower than 20 inches (20 cm) or 1.6 feet (1.6 ft) high.
What about the different levels?
There are many cages that can accommodate everything, from one level to three levels. The level of your rat will determine the type of cage you choose.
One Level
A cage with a single level is best if you have baby rats or elderly rats. They will not be able to access the higher levels.
Two Levels
If you have only one or two rats, a two-level cage is the best. As a way for your rats to move, you can use tubes, climbing ropes or ramps.
Three or more levels
If you have more than three rats, this cage is the best. You can also provide toys, ladders, and other climbing gear to keep your rats entertained.
Spacing in Bars
The size of your rat will determine how wide the bars should be. Your rat might escape or get his head caught on the bars, which can lead to injury or even death. This is particularly important if the cage you are purchasing is for a larger animal such as a rabbit.
As smaller rats can be kept in these bars, a spacing of 0.4 to 0.06 inches is the best. This applies to both females as well as younger rats.
You might be able to reach 0.8 to 1 in. for larger rats. However, if your rat is large enough, she will be able to escape if she can fit her head through any openings or spaces.
Vertical and Horizontal Bars
There are many options for cages. Some have horizontal bars, others have vertical bars, or a combination of both. Because they allow rats to climb higher and are easier to attach toys to, the best cages will be made with horizontal bars.
Cage Material
There are many options for rat cages. There are many options for cage materials, including plastic, galvanized steel, wood, powdered metal, and powder. It is important to keep your rat away from anything that he can chew through, especially plastic and wood. As corrosion and rust can be a problem, you should avoid wire cages without coating.
Enamel bars are the best choice for your rat cage. They are strong and can withstand gnawing, rust, and other elements. Galvanized metal cages are also available, but they will be more difficult to clean. It is important to make sure the bars are not painted with toxic paint. Some pet-friendly paint can be used to coat the bars of rat cages. This allows you to customize the color and ensures that the cage is safe and durable.
Bottom of the Cage
Many rats love to chew on the plastic bases of cages. If there are raised areas or ledges they can reach and chew on, this is more likely. You have two options: a cage that is smooth and has no shelves or objects that they can latch onto, or a cage that is coated with metal. These can be costly and difficult to find but will keep your rat safe.
Avoid cages that have wire at the bottom as your rat could injure itself or develop bumblefoot (ulcers, bumps on the feet that are pus-filled)
Cleaning Access
Accessibility is another important consideration when choosing a cage, especially for cleaning. A cage should have a large front door that can hold a rat. If you have multiple levels of cages, there should be doors on every level.
It is best to clean your cage at least once per week. However, it is better to clean it twice each week. A cage that is easily lifted from the base or has a tray that slides out to make cleaning easy will be ideal.
Accessory
Some cages come only with the cage, some ramps, and ladders. Some cages will come with food and water containers, while others might include fun accessories like hammocks. These items can be purchased separately so you can add them yourself.
What to Avoid
We have covered how to choose the best cage for your rat. But what should you be looking out for?
First, avoid mice or hamster cages. They are usually too small to accommodate a rat or several rats.
Glass aquariums and aquariums should be avoided as rats will not be able to climb in them. Your rat could also develop a respiratory condition from constant exposure to urine and feces odors.
You should not use wire mesh bottoms for cages, as your rat will develop bumblefoot.
Sharp edges should be avoided as they can cause injury.
Wooden objects can be easily chewed on and can absorb urine that cannot be properly cleaned.
Conclusion
It is important to choose the right cage for your rat. She will spend most of her time in it. It should be large enough, but not too small. This will ensure that she doesn’t get out of it or injure herself. It is worthwhile to spend a little more on a larger cage with an enameled metal base and metal base. These steps will make it easy to keep your rat happy, healthy, and safe.
What size cage is appropriate for two rats?
Fancy rats require a lot of space. The recommended minimum cage size for two rats is 72cm x 36cm x 44cm, but the larger the better is always recommended to allow for enrichment using toys/accessories, as well as plenty of room to exercise and climb.
Do rats prefer large cages?
Rats require as large an enclosure as possible, as well as space to exercise. Rats do well in large cages designed for ferrets and chinchillas. Rats can squeeze through very small gaps, so make sure they can’t get out between the cage bars!
Do rats enjoy having their cages cleaned?
Cage cleaning is required for a sanitary environment, but because rats communicate through scent, they may suffer if their cages are cleaned too frequently.
What do rats fear the most?
Rats are terrified of human activity, owing to the fact that humans are much larger than they are. Rats are also afraid of predators like hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey. Rats are also afraid of your cat, as well as rat terriers and other dogs that hunt rodents.
What do rats like to play with in their cage?
They also enjoy climbing, so include plenty of ramps, bridges, and other bolted cage accessories that can be attached to any mesh walls. Rats enjoy solving puzzles as well! Consider hiding rat treats at the end of mazes and coming up with fun ways to keep them entertained.
What size cage is appropriate for one rat?
Mice can squeeze through very small spaces, so the bars on a wire cage should be no more than 1/4 inch apart. Rats will require a larger cage, at least 20 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 24 inches high. For each additional rat, the floor area must be increased by one square foot.
How is a cage calculated?
If you have a square or rectangular bird cage, measure each side at its widest point and add all four sides together to get the total circumference. For example, if your cage is 20×20, the total circumference will be 80 inches.
Do rats grow to fill their cages?
According to studies, a pet rat housed in a smaller cage grew to be smaller than those housed in larger cages, indicating that a rat’s environment can also affect its size. Here are a few of the most common species that can reach enormous proportions.
Do rats prefer horizontal or vertical cages?
In general, you should look for a cage with a lot of horizontal bars, either mesh or horizontal bars. These are the easiest for your rats to climb (though agile girls are rarely bothered by vertical bars) and also make attaching objects to the cage easier.