The Best Rat Cages (2024 Reviews)
Rats are favorite pets to have. They are small, adorable, and fun to play with friendly creatures. When you adopt a rat from the pet store, the first thing that comes to mind is finding the right cage. Before you bring your new Rat home, make sure that their new cage fully stocked with everything necessary to keep them happy and healthy.
The cage plays a vital role in ensuring that your rat has the proper shelter and safe place to live. Your cage should also come with food, water bowl, and bedding to catch the waste.
You can also put an exercise wheel for your rat to run around. Make sure to accessorize the cage with some toys so your little critter friend would not be bored. If this is your first time owning a rat, lucky for you, we got some information about the best cage to get him or her. With our tips and tricks, you will end up with a happy little critter for life.
In This Article
What kind of cage is best for a rat?
A cage should have plenty of room for your rat to run around. A general rule is that each rat should have a cubic foot of room. That means the minimum size for two rats is 29“ x 15“ x 18“ or 72 cm x 36 cm x 44 cm. You can adopt a rat and place him or her in the cage to see if it is big enough before purchasing it. That way, you will not have to waste time returning it.
How to Choose the best rat cage?
Your rat is your best friend so why not give him the best cage. If you don’t know what makes the best cage for your critter friend, then we have all the information that you need.
Metal not plastic:
It’s important to choose the cage that is powder coated wire and not galvanized wire. This is because the powder-coated wire is stronger, low maintenance, and easy to clean. The cage looks aesthetically more appealing and is often very sturdy. That means the rats will not be able to chew through it and escape. Plus, it’s important to make sure that the spacing is right that way your rat does not get stuck between the cage.
Size:
It’s best to get a cage that is 2.5 ft.³ per rat. Keep in mind that rats are bigger than hamsters and mice, and they love to stay active. This is why the proper size is important for your friend to thrive. You want to ensure that you have big doors on your cage so you can place your hand inside and clean.
Removable trays:
One of the most important things is to get a cage with a removable tray. That way, it’s so much easier to clean. All you have to do is to remove the tray and dump all the bedding and feces in a plastic bag, then put the tray back in. If the cage does not have a removable tray, do not buy it. That means you would have to take the cage apart to clean the rat droppings; this can be very troublesome.
Ventilation:
It’s important for rats to have the proper ventilation. That means you should not place a rat in an aquarium. Another thing is that a multilevel cage can provide more room and ventilation for the rat roam and thrive.
With the right cage for your rat, he or she will be forever thankful and love you for life.
Here are some highly recommended cages that you can check out
1. Midwest Deluxe Critter Nation
Multi Level Rat Cage
The Midwest deluxe critter nation provides an amazing habitat for your rat. It creates a spacious living area that your rat would love to explore. It has a half inch horizontal wire space for your pet to climb and explore. It also comes with ramps, resting shelves, and easy to remove pans. The double door feature will make it easy for you to assess your rat, clean, and feed. The environment is safe along with a double locking door for security and easy to handle.
Key Features:
- Two pans and two adjustable shelves with
- three ramps and four locking wheel casters
- Double doors and removable shelf
- Wide shelves with leakproof pan
- Half inch horizontal wiring space
- 36 inch length by 24 inch width by 63 inches height
2. Prevue Hendryx Black Rat Cage
Large Rat Cage
This is an impressive and spacious cage that provides a wonderful living space for your active pet rat. The cage comes with ramps, hammock, and shelves to keep your pet rat entertain and relaxed. It also has two large doors, so you can play with your rat. The bottom tray can be easily removed for efficient cleaning. The great part is that the cage is also portable and can be moved from one room to another without using a lot of manpower.
Key Features:
- Four levels living in playing space
- Two large doors with locks to prevent the rat from escaping.
- A mid-level floor that separates the cage into the half.
- Easy to remove the tray for cleaning purposes.
- Storage shelf and rolling Castor
3. Ferret Nation Cage 182
Extra Large Rat Cage
This spacious cage contains a double unit with the ultimate and exciting habitat for your rat to dwell in. It is equipped with three ramps and two shelves with two removable pants. The double door makes it easy for you to play with your pets as well as feeding, cleaning, and decorating. The wide shelf and wide plastic pan provide general playing space for your pet. A dual lock door makes the environment safe, so you’re pet does not get hurt or scared.
Key Features:
- Double door and white shelves with a plastic pan
- Swing up blocking ramp.
- Door locking door latch.
- Removable shelves
- Quartz Hammerton
- Square tube frame construction.
- Angled ramp for security purposes.
4. Prevue Rat Cage, 31 x 20.5 x 40 IN
Ideal cage for rats and other small animals
The Prevue has small wiring space, so your rat will not get stuck. Plus the solid metal ramp makes a wonderful platform for your pet to have fun in. It comes with a large front door and a small rooftop door for easy access.
It also has a tray that you can remove for easy cleaning purposes. The lock occurs on the bottom of the cage to prevent the pad from kicking the tray or escaping. The design has a bottom shelf to store extra treats for your pets.
Key Features:
- Solid metal ramp and platform.
- Wire lock for extra protection
- Space-saving shelf so you can store toys and treats.
- Large front door and small rooftop
5. Kaytee Multi-Level Habitat | 24″ x 24″ x 41.5″
Best cage for a ferret
This elegant multilevel spacious cage is perfect for a rambunctious pet rat. The cage is very colorful, fun, and have plenty of accessories for your pets. The cage is made of high-quality and durable material, so it’s chew proof. That means the rat will not be able to chew through any wires.
It has a base that can be easily removed for efficient cleaning. It also has a safety ramp, spiral slide, hammock, trails and funnels, and comfort shelves. It also has a caster wheel, so it’s very it’s portable. You can move it from one place to another with ease.
Key Features:
- Multilevel environment
- A Scatterless base that can be easily removed for cleaning purposes.
- Safety ramp, Hammock, spiral slide, funnel, and comfort shelves.
- Bar spacing is about 1 inch.
6. Kaytee Multi-Level Habitat for Exotics | 30.5” x 18” x 30”
Chew Proof Rat Cage
This is easy to set up the cage that does not require any fancy tools. It contains a deep base to prevent the litter and bedding from spilling. It also has multiple levels to promote an active lifestyle for your pet.
The plastic shelves along with the ramp provide a safe and comfortable environment. It has a half inch spacing between the wires for security purposes and to prevent your pet from escaping. It’s a small cage that fits a small rat, however, if you are going to get two rats or a bigger animal, then it might not fit very well.
Key Features:
- Multiple levels.
- Deep base.
- Chew proof wires and lock.
- Half inch wire spacing.
- Z lock access gate, wire latches, and wire base locking.
7. AmazonBasics Pet Habitat | 48″ x 24″ x 21″
Small Animal Habitat
You can keep your furry little friends safe in this high-quality small animal cage. It’s durable, rectangular, and have a strong iron wire frame. The plastic bottom and base provide a comfortable and cozy space with maximum ventilation and viewing purposes.
This cage is also easy to install and put together for beginners. This is highly recommended for smaller rats to live and thrive. This might not work very well for larger rats or two animals in the same cage.
Key Features:
- Iron wire upper frame
- Plastic bottom base
- Balcony with a ramp and food dish
- Hideaway space beneath the balcony for comfort and security
- Non-drip water bottle
- Limited one-year warranty.
8. Yaheetech Small Animals Cage | 37’’/52”
Best cage for 2 rats
This fancy indoor cage can make your pet feel happy, safe, and healthy. The multilevel cage is very spacious, so it gives your rat plenty of space to exercise. It’s very suitable for larger rats, ferrets, rabbits, and guinea pig.
Because of its large area, it can provide these little critters with plenty of physical activities and mental stimulation. The cage is also designed for safety purposes to protect your pet and to prevent them from escaping.
It comes with various shelves, trays, water bottle, and feeders. The cage is also foldable so you can hide it in the storage if no one is occupying it. Overall, it’s a very simple, fun, and convenient cage to have for your friend.
Key Features:
- Four layer structure with steel wire.
- Four levels with ramps and plenty of space for your critter to run around. It also has a water bottle and plastic food bowl.
- Two front opening on the top and bottom.
- Foldable cage that is easy to store.
9. Go2buy Metal 3 Doors Playpen | 25.2 x 16.9 x 51.6 Inches Cage
Best rat playpen
If you have an active pet rat that can spend hours running around, then this is the cage to get him. There’s a five-level structure that will give your rambunctious little critter plenty of space to play. It has a slide out grid with a handle and cleaning tray.
It contains about five shelves, ramps, tray, and water bottle with plastic food bowl. It has all the necessary equipment to keep your pet safe and happy. Because of the ample amount of space, you can purchase separate accessories such as a hammock, basket, or little tunnels for your pet to play around in.
Key Features:
- Five shelves, one sliding tray, plastic food bowl, and 250 mL water bottle.
- Five level structure that provides a spacious environment for your path.
- Three oversize front door for easy access.
- 1-inch bar spacing to prevent your pet from getting stuck.
- Four caster wheels for portability.
- One slide out the grid.
10. Living World Rat Carrier
Best rat carrier
If you need to find a small carrier to bring your pet to the vet or moving to a new house, then this is the perfect product to provide comfort and security for your little critter. It has an innovative design for convenience and durability. It has two twin handles so you can carry your pet with comfort and ease.
The large opening makes it easy to access your pet. It also comes with ventilation slides to provide optimal airflow. The base provides your pets with secure footing. The locking system will prevent them from escaping. It is, therefore, an ideal environment for a temporary home while you are cleaning the cage.
Key Features:
- Well ventilated slides for maximum air circulation.
- Non-slippery floors on the base
- Two comfortable leveraging handle
- Durable case that won’t break.
- Excellent locking system so your pet will not escape.
Frequently Asked Rat Cage Questions
Q: Who should buy a rat cage?
A: If you just adopted a rat, then you should consider getting a rat cage.
Q: How often to clean the rat cage?
A: You should clean your rat’s cage at least once a week. If you start noticing any strange ammonia smell, then that means it has been too long. It is essential to set up a schedule on your calendar to clean the cage, that way the ammonia smell will not appear. Keep in mind that ammonia can be very dangerous to your rat.
Q: Where should you put a rat cage?
A: It’s best to put your rat’s cage somewhere safe from other animals and in an environment that is not too hot or not too cold. It’s best to keep the cage away from the kitchen or dinner table. Consider putting it on the shelf, table, desk, or anywhere that is safe and secure.
Q: How to clean a rat cage?
A: Cleaning the cage is very easy. The first thing to do is to empty the tray and clean it with water and soap, then put it back in. You can bring the cage outside and spray it with a garden hose and then scrape it down with soap. After that, wash it thoroughly with water and let it dry before putting your rat back in.
Q: How big does a rat cage need to be?
A: The rat’s cage should be around 2 ft.³ per rat.
Q: How to disinfect a rat cage?
A: You can disinfect with soap, Lysol spray, or vinegar water. However, you should make sure that you thoroughly wash the soap or disinfect during the cleaning process. This is mainly because soap or any disinfectant can be toxic for the rat.
Q: How to make fleece liners for rat cages?
A: You can grab a fleece and shredded it into pieces with the shredder or you can cut it into multiple pieces and lined them up on the tray. Then push the tray in the cage, and you have a nice piece bedding for them.
Q: How to keep rat cage from smelling?
A: The best way to keep your rat’s cage from smelling is to make sure that you change it at least once a week. It’s also important to change the bedding, take out feces on a daily basis, remove uneaten food, and change the water.
Q: What to put in a rat cage?
A: The most important thing to put in your rat’s cage is food and water. You can also add other accessories like an exercise wheel, chew toys, balls, or other little toys for them. You can also place a hammock, basket, and tunnels for them to hide and play.
Q: How to make a rat cage escape proof?
A: You want to make sure that the spacing around the cage are appropriately spaced so the rat doesn’t squeeze his body through and escape. Make sure there are no holes in the cage or ways for them to dig out. You also want to make sure that the cage is very sturdy and that the rat is not able to get through the wires.
Q: How to hang baskets in rat cages?
A: You can purchase a basket accessory in the pet store and it comes with all the necessary tools to hang it on the cage. They usually have the proper wiring to connect the basket to the cage. All you would have to do is follow the instructions that they have.
Q: What cage size is suitable for 2 Rats?
A: The minimum size for two rats is 29“ x 15“ x 18“ or 72 cm x 36 cm x 44 cm.
Q: What kind of Cage does a rat need?
A: Your rat needs a cage that has an ample amount of space for him or her to roam around. Plus the case should be made out of high-quality and strong material around the wire, so they don’t chew through it. The spacings have to be proper, so the rat’s head doesn’t get stuck. It’s best to have a multilevel cage so the rat can explore.
Final Thoughts:
Your rat is your best friend, so you know that he or she deserves the best. Why not give him a cage with all the fun accessory and safety features. If you are curious about what to give your best friend, then we have all the products listed above. All you have to do is read, absorb the material, and think about what would make your rat happy. You can bring your rat with you while you go cage shopping. That way, you can test out the features with your little critter friend.