Rat Cage for 4 (four) females?

Question

Okay, I originally though I would be getting 2 rats but now I am getting 4 (the 4 females of a litter to prevent them from going to a pet store).

I am a 1st time rat owner but I will gladly handle them and make sure they are socialized and being littermates I think they will all be fine living together.

My question: What is a suitable cage for 4 rats. Before you answer please pic those that are very reasonably priced. I love the ferret nation cage and a couple of others but if I decide I don't want anymore rats then I don't want to have been out like $200 immediately. If I do really enjoy them then I will upgrade as soon as I can afford it but right now I am looking for very reasonable ones that will comfortably keep 4 littermates.

Also, I have been offered a 39 gallon tank. I know a tank itself wouldn't be suitable but do they make the tank toppers that size? Or would a 20 gallon with a tank topper be a good idea? Or be big enough?

I know the martins cages are good an all

Answer 1

with females try not to get anything with a plastic base, my rats ate through it in a couple days.  The cage i found to work the best in the glass aquarium and one of those cage toppers.  If you have skills with tools, the 39 gal should be fine with the 20 gal topper, just buy wire and fencing and expand the end to fit the size of the aquarium.  I also found it very useful to cut a small piece in the front and add a door if the topper you buy only opens from the top.  Congrats  on the rats

Answer 2

First timer with 4 new young girls, get a cage with alot of running rooms and toys. One with ramps and solid bottoms and maybe a wheel. Good luck, girls are a handful and treat them like you would treat a person,. They're living things not toys

Answer 3

I would recommend getting the Rat Manor from Petco. I'm not sure if it's sold at Petsmart but you can check. I believe that it will hold up to 5 rats, depending on size.

Answer 4

Here's a cage calculator: http://www.rattycorner.com/odds/calc.sht...

Cages that hold up to 5-6 rats is great for four. It gives them extra room to sleep and for the toys. That's probably all you need to know.

Answer 5

First off I'm a little worried about the "If I really do enjoy them" comment. Rats are animals not toys, if you take on rats you are making a commitment to care for them. Think carefully and do your research, be sue before you get them.

But regarding the cage issue....

I have my three girls in a cage called a Ferplast Furet XL (not sure if they available in the US, i live in the UK) it wasn't cheap but you can pick them up second hand for a reasonable price.

Large bird cages can also make great cages too.

A few tips for deciding if a cage is right for your rats:

Bar spacing: Does (females) are smaller than Bucks and can squeeze through surprisingly small spaces, bars shouldn't be much over half an inch wide.

Wire bases/Shelves: Wire on the base of the cage or on shelves can but uneven pressure on your rats feet causing sores and a condition called "bumblefoot". That doesn't mean you can't use this sort of cage but it may be advisable to cover the bars.

Height: Rats love to climb but you've also got to consider the distance that they might fall, if you go for a tall cage make sure you have lots of shelves/ hammocks to divide it up.

Answer 6

better yet, check goodwill, salvation army, thrift stores, yard sales, craigslist these are great options for finding a reasonably priced cage. i bought a guinea pig cage for 20$ off craigslist and i know that will be big enough until you find a cage for your rats. i know that a big silent spinner wheel fits and i made my own level and attached it with cable ties (i used an old wire shelf) covered it with plastic mesh found in the craft section at walmart ( to prevent bumble foot) for dirt cheap. i have 6 girls currently in a cage with a plastic base and they've never chewed it. just make sure you have plenty for your rats to do so they don't chew out of bordom. rats NEED things to play with to keep them happy.

good luck with your new babies!