Cage

Rat owners, which of these cages would you go for?

Basically I have limited space in which to set up a second rat cage for 2 female rats, which I may add one or two more 2 at a later date. While I would love a massive cage like the Explorer or Critter Nation I dont have the space right now. Using the ratty cage calculator here, help me out with what cage you would choose! I have put what I can get these cages for cos I can get some of them cheaper. Fop Cavia Hotel: Fits 6-8 rats. http://www.petcentreonline.co.uk/ecommerce/Scripts/prodView~idproduct~636.htm This cage comes with a cavia 9 where I get it fromwhich is 90X52X52 would make a great hospital cage. The bar spaces are quite wide for does and it has a grid pattern on the base which makes it harder to clean, and just the one big door on top. Can get this for £88.55 Rat and Rodent 100: fors 4-6 rats. http://www.edirectory.co.uk/pf/880/mia/d/rat+rodent+100+large+rodent+cage/pid/6074732 I really like this cage, not sure why! Its a great size for the space I have, not too tall (I have sloping roofs) and lots of floor space for the rats, has a wire roof that comes off, fairly small doors in the sides though and not a lot of height for them to climb. I can get this for £60.00 Imac double 80- http://www.pet-supply-store.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=Imac_Double_80_Ferret_Chinchilla_Rat_Cage_80_48_5_107cm_596716 Fits 5-7 rats. I quite like this cage but I am not keen on the ladders at all, quite a risk of ratties falling all the way down so would need lots of hammocks added. Also, I'm worried they might chew the plastic part which attaches the top half of the cage to the bottom half of the cage, or chew the way out of the little house that comes attached to the side. I can get this for £84.00 Although the Cavia hotel is totally the best deal I am worried about the bar gaps and I hate cages that are difficult to clean. And I think they might escape from the Imac cage. I think I like the rat and rodent 100, but what are your thoughts? Feel free to suggest other UK cages for about the same price and size, but not the Ferplast Jenny I'm not a fan of this one! I am convinced American rats chew more M!! I;m always getting warned about them chewing out of plastic cages but I have only ever met one that did! Martins cages are great but sadly you cant get them over here.

Public Comments

1. I like the third one the best, even though its for ferrets lol
2. Size wise all of these cages seem acceptable for 2 rats. The only problem is how much plastic (and in one case, wood) these cages have. Rats love to chew through anything. The only plastic I am able to keep in good condition is one of my cages that has a plastic drop in pan. The only reason they dont chew through this is because the metal bars extend completely down to the bottom of the cage. I wouldnt get the one with the attached plastic house definitely. I would be afraid that the girls would use that as a point of escape. Of all of the ones you mentioned, I would go with the one that you like the best, which is the Rat and Rodent 100. Although I personally wouldnt use any of them. Have you looked at any Martin's cages? http://martinscages.com/products/cages/rat/ I own the R-670 (rat cabin) for my 2 males. Just make sure whichever you get has powder coated wiring. Uncovered has a risk of giving your girls zinc poisoning. And definitely do not get a cage that has anything but solid flooring. Having mesh ladders is ok, but anywhere where they would regularly walk or relax needs to have a solid floor. I dont know if Martin's is available in the UK.....Hope I helped somewhat.
3. The first one seems like your best but, unless the third one's bars are close enough together so the rats can't get out. Definitely not the 2nd one, it's boring, even as a starter cage. So one or two. Which one are you leaning towards? Good luck! =]
4. I like the Cavia second best. I think you can work with it to make it a good rat cage. The second one is a bit bigger and has more potential. I think it's my favorite. I'm not crazy about the small doors, but you can work with them. Once your rats are tamed they'll run over to you anyway. It doesn't have the added platforms and ramps, but you can build that kind of stuff into it anyway. It's not like you're going to keep it as is. The ferret cage is a bad cage for ferrets and terrible for rats. The house attached to the side is horrible! Rats and ferrets WILL escape from it. It's not a question of might, they absolutely will. Get the rat and rodent cage. It's the best of the lot.
5. The third cage seems to be the best. most rats will chew plastic, but not to the extent these people keep saying, unless you have one major chewer. Maybe try finding a cage with a metal bottom...? ----- THIS seems to be the best one I could find, complete with metal bottom. It's large, cheap and nice. I wouldn't mind having one myself! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chinchilla-Cage-Large-Crate-Hutch/dp/B001F40O24/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=garden&qid=1254242485&sr=8-3 (and yes, amazon is okay. that's where I bought my bamboo tablet!) Hope this helps!!
6. Hi there! The third cage is definately the best. You can fit plenty of toys and perhaps extra shelves, tubes and most importantly, they have tonnes of space to climb and frolic for exercise when they can't be out with you! You'll make an excellent ratty parent and welcome to the family! Good luck!
7. I wouldn't entertain any of them, don't like them (I know I know I'm really picky lol). Years of struggling with naff cages has taught me if you don't like a cage on sight, it's not right ! If you like the explorer but don't have the space, have you thought about the abode: http://www.petworlddirect.co.uk/acatalog/Rodent-and-Rabbit-Cages.html And I highly recommend petworld direct too, they are awesome, excellent customer service !