Super Pet Deluxe My First Home Cage for Exotics
I did NOT enjoy this cage. Within six months it was rusty and I had to throw it out. It is very flimsy, the hammock is made of scratchy nylon, the shelves are plastic and have these grooves where poop and pee love to collect, the wheel is dangerous as it is not a solid rung type, and the pan is plastic. My girls LOVED chewing holes right in the corners and escaping, so I ended up making a custom metal pan to fit inside. If you can find it used, take it. But don't spend over $100 on it new at Petsmart. And don't plan on this being a long-term cage, either.The bar space is safe for babies. I would use it for babies as they are growing up and then find something better.
I did NOT enjoy this cage. Within six months it was rusty and I had to throw it out. It is very flimsy, the hammock is made of scratchy nylon, the shelves are plastic and have these grooves where poop and pee love to collect, the wheel is dangerous as it is not a solid rung type, and the pan is plastic. My girls LOVED chewing holes right in the corners and escaping, so I ended up making a custom metal pan to fit inside. If you can find it used, take it. But don't spend over $100 on it new at Petsmart. And don't plan on this being a long-term cage, either.The bar space is safe for babies. I would use it for babies as they are growing up and then find something better.
Grreat Choice™ Pet Home for Small Animals
It's small. It has an easily chewed plastic pan. It's not a good choice. If you're looking for a temporary cage, then sure. It has 1 inch bar spacing and will not keep babies or thin girls inside. My one rat was desperate enough to get out she chewed a hole in the plastic pan's corner. So not a very reliable cage in my opinion. It is great for travel or trips to the vet. Rats like to climb and this provides no way of climbing and keeping them active. One level cages should be avoided as long term living.
It's small. It has an easily chewed plastic pan. It's not a good choice. If you're looking for a temporary cage, then sure. It has 1 inch bar spacing and will not keep babies or thin girls inside. My one rat was desperate enough to get out she chewed a hole in the plastic pan's corner. So not a very reliable cage in my opinion. It is great for travel or trips to the vet. Rats like to climb and this provides no way of climbing and keeping them active. One level cages should be avoided as long term living.
Prevue Small Animal X Large Homes with Stand
It has the space for 2 rats to live comfortably enough, if they have plenty of out-of-cage-time. However, the pan is only held on by two little clips on each side, so anything heavy causes the pan to come crashing to the ground...so large toys and wheels are out of the question. The bar-spacing is 1 inch and thus is not good for small rats. It's easy to clean, however, and since it's raised up somewhat, you're not completely bending down to get to your pets. I installed home-made levels to provide more activity. I would not recommend this as a long-term cage unless you plan on getting your rats out a lot. It is probably good for an older rat who just wants to sleep all day.
It has the space for 2 rats to live comfortably enough, if they have plenty of out-of-cage-time. However, the pan is only held on by two little clips on each side, so anything heavy causes the pan to come crashing to the ground...so large toys and wheels are out of the question. The bar-spacing is 1 inch and thus is not good for small rats. It's easy to clean, however, and since it's raised up somewhat, you're not completely bending down to get to your pets. I installed home-made levels to provide more activity. I would not recommend this as a long-term cage unless you plan on getting your rats out a lot. It is probably good for an older rat who just wants to sleep all day.
Petco Rat Manor Habitat
A little flimsy for the price...but I like the wire shelving. Popular belief is that wire shelving causes bumblefoot, when in fact it's caused by waste build up on solid shelves! Plus...you don't have nasty gooey piles to clean out of grooves everyday, that's always a plus in my book! I think the size it good. I would not recommend more than 3 rats in here. Maybe 4 very small girls or 2 very large males. The shelves can be a pain to install.
A little flimsy for the price...but I like the wire shelving. Popular belief is that wire shelving causes bumblefoot, when in fact it's caused by waste build up on solid shelves! Plus...you don't have nasty gooey piles to clean out of grooves everyday, that's always a plus in my book! I think the size it good. I would not recommend more than 3 rats in here. Maybe 4 very small girls or 2 very large males. The shelves can be a pain to install.
Super Pet My First Home Tank Topper
I am just not a huge fan of tanks for long-term caging, even if it has a topper attached. It would be okay to keep babies in while they are getting bigger or as a sick cage. Tanks can keep in smell and has little airflow, which can cause respiratory infections.
I am just not a huge fan of tanks for long-term caging, even if it has a topper attached. It would be okay to keep babies in while they are getting bigger or as a sick cage. Tanks can keep in smell and has little airflow, which can cause respiratory infections.
Super Pet CritterTrail Primary Habitat
I know a lot of adopters worry about what to keep their babies in while they are small and unable to go in cages with bigger bar-spacing. I would suggest one of these hamster cages. Just make sure they can't get stuck in tubes or chew out. This plastic is a bit harder than some other plastic cage parts, and I've never had anyone try and chew out. This will be good for the first month, but they will outgrow it.
I know a lot of adopters worry about what to keep their babies in while they are small and unable to go in cages with bigger bar-spacing. I would suggest one of these hamster cages. Just make sure they can't get stuck in tubes or chew out. This plastic is a bit harder than some other plastic cage parts, and I've never had anyone try and chew out. This will be good for the first month, but they will outgrow it.
Super Pet Habitat Defined Rat Habitat
This could fit 2 rats well enough. Again, the vast majority of it is plastic which means possible chewing. It also has the very annoying grooves in the shelves that they love to poop on. Litter trained rats would be perfect here! I find the cage to be sturdier than most of the "cheaper" cages. I like the easy clip-off pan...just be careful as these clips are pretty easy to break. I also like that there are several doors that allow access to pets in all parts of the cage.
This could fit 2 rats well enough. Again, the vast majority of it is plastic which means possible chewing. It also has the very annoying grooves in the shelves that they love to poop on. Litter trained rats would be perfect here! I find the cage to be sturdier than most of the "cheaper" cages. I like the easy clip-off pan...just be careful as these clips are pretty easy to break. I also like that there are several doors that allow access to pets in all parts of the cage.
Home-Made Wooden Shelf Cage
These look really cool...but wood does not last. It adsorbs odor like crazy. Rats love to chew on the wooden shelves. It's a lot of work to make for the few months it will last. I was soaping mine up and still the smell was pungent. I do not recommend.
These look really cool...but wood does not last. It adsorbs odor like crazy. Rats love to chew on the wooden shelves. It's a lot of work to make for the few months it will last. I was soaping mine up and still the smell was pungent. I do not recommend.
PVC Pipe Cages
Pretty simple to make and easy to carry outside to hose off. The only trouble I had was finding a pan that would fit the cage I made. I also covered mine in some stiff wire, which made closing the doors difficult. I was not happy with what I made...but if done correctly they make great cages! Just be sure to get coated wire otherwise its pretty tough on rattie feet!
Pretty simple to make and easy to carry outside to hose off. The only trouble I had was finding a pan that would fit the cage I made. I also covered mine in some stiff wire, which made closing the doors difficult. I was not happy with what I made...but if done correctly they make great cages! Just be sure to get coated wire otherwise its pretty tough on rattie feet!
Ferret Nation
Not to be confused with Critter Nation...FN's have one inch bar-spacing which does not keep small girls or babies in. I've known people who've had rats die by sticking their heads through the bars and not being able to pull them back out. For chubby males this would do just fine.
Not to be confused with Critter Nation...FN's have one inch bar-spacing which does not keep small girls or babies in. I've known people who've had rats die by sticking their heads through the bars and not being able to pull them back out. For chubby males this would do just fine.
Critter Nation
Critter Nations are what I have here at the Rattery. They have half inch bar-spacing...making them safe for skinny girls and young rats. There is plenty of room. The doors give easy access for cleaning. They are affordable (You can purchase them at Ferret.com and Petstreetmall.com) and they can be made into three levels high by adding a unit to the doubles.
The cons: The pans are shallow and bedding is kicked out and all over the floor (Solve which problem by purchasing paint mixing tubs at Home Depot), it easily rusts, the wheels are very fragile, and the pans are plastic and rats love to chew them.
Be careful closing the doors as toes, feet, and heads can be easily crushed.
Critter Nations are what I have here at the Rattery. They have half inch bar-spacing...making them safe for skinny girls and young rats. There is plenty of room. The doors give easy access for cleaning. They are affordable (You can purchase them at Ferret.com and Petstreetmall.com) and they can be made into three levels high by adding a unit to the doubles.
The cons: The pans are shallow and bedding is kicked out and all over the floor (Solve which problem by purchasing paint mixing tubs at Home Depot), it easily rusts, the wheels are very fragile, and the pans are plastic and rats love to chew them.
Be careful closing the doors as toes, feet, and heads can be easily crushed.
Martin Brand Cages
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! The rattery is now only using these cages. They have great space, easy to clean, light weight, and can be custom ordered.
I love the Skyscraper for groups of 5-7.
The Rat Tower is great for a pair of big boys or 3 girls.
The Rat Lounge is good for a pair of girls or growing babies.
The Ruud is VERY big and heavy. I had it for 10 rats.
Ask them about making cages with slide out pans. It's so easy to clean with them. Powder coated protects the wire from rusting. Doors are easy to open, no risk of closing heads in with heavy swinging doors, they are easy to hose and scrub off, and I simply adore them.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! The rattery is now only using these cages. They have great space, easy to clean, light weight, and can be custom ordered.
I love the Skyscraper for groups of 5-7.
The Rat Tower is great for a pair of big boys or 3 girls.
The Rat Lounge is good for a pair of girls or growing babies.
The Ruud is VERY big and heavy. I had it for 10 rats.
Ask them about making cages with slide out pans. It's so easy to clean with them. Powder coated protects the wire from rusting. Doors are easy to open, no risk of closing heads in with heavy swinging doors, they are easy to hose and scrub off, and I simply adore them.