Pet Rat Cages

A good cage is the most important thing you can buy for a pet rat, because it is your rat’s bedroom, kitchen and playground all in one. Pet rats are smart, curious and active, so they need a roomy, safe, well-ventilated home with plenty of things to climb and explore.

Why Rats Need a Good Cage

Rats are among the cleverest small pets. They are related to mice, but they are bigger and even more playful. A bored rat in a tiny cage can become stressed, so a bigger cage with toys and hiding places helps keep it happy and healthy.

Rats are also very social. It is best to keep at least two rats of the same sex together, which means you need a cage big enough for a pair or a small group. A common rule of thumb is to allow at least 2 cubic feet (about 57 liters) of space per rat, and bigger is always better.

General Rules

You can buy a ready-made rat cage or build your own. Either way, keep these basics in mind:

• Choose a cage made of metal bars, with a solid tray or base to hold bedding.
• Bar spacing should be no more than about 1.3 cm (half an inch) for adult rats, and narrower for young rats, which can squeeze through tiny gaps.
• Avoid wire-mesh floors and shelves, which can hurt rats’ feet. Cover them or use solid platforms instead.
• Make sure the cage is easy to clean, with large doors you can reach through.

Ventilation

Rats have sensitive lungs. Dust and the ammonia smell from urine can cause breathing problems, so good airflow is vital. This is why a glass aquarium or a closed plastic tub, even with a wire lid, is a poor home for rats: the air inside stays stale and damp.

Place the cage in a room where people spend time, but away from drafts, direct sunlight, radiators and noisy televisions.

The Ideal Rat Cage

Tall, Multi-Level Cages

Rats are natural climbers, so height is just as important as floor space. The best rat cages have several levels connected by ramps, ladders and platforms. This turns the cage into an exciting climbing frame and gives your rats lots of room to explore.

Rabbit and Guinea Pig Cages

Multi-level rat cages can be expensive. Some owners start with a large cage made for rabbits, ferrets or guinea pigs. (Despite their name, guinea pigs are rodents, not relatives of farm pigs!) Check that the bar spacing is narrow enough, then add extra shelves made of wood or plastic, fixed firmly in place with strong wire or cable ties.

Secure Doors

Rats have a reputation as escape artists, a bit like the famous magician Harry Houdini. They can push, lift and wiggle their way through weak spots. Pick a cage with doors that latch firmly, and add a small clip if needed. Bird cages with lift-up sliding doors are a poor choice, because rats quickly learn how to open them.

Accessories for a Rat Cage

Water and Food

Rats love to tip over food bowls, so use a heavy ceramic dish or one that clips onto the cage bars. A water bottle attached to the outside of the cage keeps drinking water clean. Check that the bottle’s spout works every day, and refill it with fresh water.

Sleeping and Hiding Places

Rats like cozy, dark places to rest. Fabric hammocks are a favorite. You can even make your own by cutting the sleeves off an old sweatshirt or long-sleeved shirt and tying them to the cage bars to make snug tunnels. Small wooden houses, cardboard boxes and plastic hides with a door hole also work well. Replace chewed or dirty fabric regularly.

Bedding

Line the base of the cage with a soft, absorbent, low-dust bedding, such as paper-based bedding or aspen shavings. Avoid pine and cedar shavings, which give off strong-smelling oils that can harm rats’ lungs.

Give your rats some nesting material too, like plain paper towels, unscented tissue or strips of clean cotton fabric. It is fun to watch them shred it and drag it into their beds to build their own nests.

Toys

Add things to chew, climb and explore, such as wooden chew blocks, ropes, ladders, tunnels and cardboard tubes. Swap the toys around now and then to keep things interesting.

Keeping the Cage Clean

Spot-clean every day by removing droppings, wet bedding and old food. About once a week, empty the cage, wash it with warm water and a mild, pet-safe cleaner, let it dry and add fresh bedding. A clean cage keeps your rats healthy and your home smelling fresh.