Would this cage (and its contents) be suitable for a pair of female rats?

Question

It's shown here: http://biggerbids.com/auction-image-gallery.php?auction_id=80208&image_id=404881

It's measurements are: 61x38x66cm

Also, along with the size, do you think the wood would hold out? Or would the rats gnaw through it quickly?

And any other thoughts are welcome! Thanks.

Answer 1

That is a wonderful cage for a pair of rats.  The size is fine (sadly, most people cram their rats into much smaller cages).  My boys live in a cage that a bit bigger than that one and they are very happy.  Of course, the bigger the better.  Rats can be quite active and its healthy for them to have a lot of room roam around.

It will take them awhile to knaw through the wood, especially if you keep them stimulated with other toys.  The biggest problem will be that they will urinate on the wood and its almost impossible to clean.  I use plastic shelves in my cage and they are easy to remove and clean.

A few more tips:

- Aspen bedding is a bit more expensive than pine, but it is much less likely to cause respiratory problems.

- Lots of toys.  Empty kleenex boxes, used toilet paper rolls, paper towels to shred.

- In the summer use two water bottles.  That way if one of them gets clogged they'll have a back-up.

- Please use pellet food.  It is so much healthier than the seed mixes.  Also, lots of fresh fruit, veggies and bits of meat and egg.  Rats are omnivores (like humans) and require a good deal of protien in their diet.  They LOVE to eat the marrow out of bones.  We always give them our chicken bones and rib bones and they go to town.  This was suggested to me by our veterinarian.

- Ratties are people too!  Please give them lots of love and attention.  If they seem sick, take them to a vet.  Just because they are inexpensive pets, doesn't mean they deserve to be treated with any less love than you'd treat your dog or cat.

Good luck!

Answer 2

That looks like a ferret cage. The size is fine, but you should check if the bars are close together so that the rats don't escape (ferret cages have much wider gaps between the bars)

Answer 3

It seems big enough. They will chew through the wood and the hammok in no time though.

www.martinscages.com

I bought the R-690 from there for my 2 males and they love it. This company is really great with cages. They come disassembled, but are easy to put togehter. I used plastic ties rather than the metal things they give...easier to use and in case you ever need to disassemble, easy to cut.

Make sure theres a lot of things for your girls to do...a wheel is a must (Wodent wheels are good...something with a solid track so legs and feet don't get stuck). Hammocks will be eaten, but they LOVE them. You can always make your own if you're low on cash by buying some string and using some old sheets and sew them together.

Enjoy your ratties!

Answer 4

it looks big enough, the rats will chew on it but it hard to say how long it would take them to fully chew it apart

Answer 5

it would be absolutely fine, i have two mice actually and they livei a cage about half the size of that and they are fine.

Answer 6

yea