Caging
Wire vs. Aquarium
Both wire cages and aquariums are suitable for rats, but there are several terms that may sway you in either direction. First of all, let’s talk about wire cages. These cages offer more ventilation than aquariums. Cages with a solid bottom are safer for rat feet. Wire bottoms, especially when made from mesh that is 1/2″ by 1″, can cause rat feet to fall in between the bars and get sprained or broken. This is the main problem of wire cages. Another thing to consider is the corroding of the metal used to make the cage. It is best to have a litter pan that is made of plastic for easy cleaning, and the wire works best when coated with nontoxic plastic. As for aquariums, ventilation is important. Because rat urine turns to ammonia quickly, you must change the litter in an aquarium more often than you would in a wire cage to prevent poisoning from air pollution. Make sure the cage is always clean. Remember: A clean rat is a happy rat.
Size Requirements
The cage should be at least 12″ by 24″ (15 gallons), but buy the largest cage you can.
Making your own cage
Making your own cage is also an option. I have made many rat cages, but I find that the materials I like are often not available, such as mesh and bars that are covered in a plastic-sort of coating. I suggest that you design and research before you make your cage. My design is always changing when I see new cages that I like. Another thing you can do is connect several cages (both aquarium and wire) using sewage piping or large PVC piping. I once had a cage for my rat, Sugar, that was two wire cages linked together with sewage pipes. I had a major problem with this, though, because Sugar would pee inside the pipe, and them it would be very hard to get out. It was cute, though, there was a door and whenever she saw me coming, she would run right to the door. Try and make the cage something your rat will enjoy. While you aren’t home, your pet has to entertain himself, so make the cage fun. Put yourself in your rat’s shoes (?). If you wouldn’t want to live where he is living now, how do you think he feels?
A Cageless pet-letting your rat roam
Many people have a “rat room”, where the entire room is rat-proofed, and the rat lives there all the time, with a cage in one corner. The door to the cage is open all the time. This way, the rat can go in the cage with the door closed when the room needs to be used. The only problems with this kind of set up, are that:
a) furniture in the room is often destroyed, and
b) you must always remember to keep the door closed and make other people remember to do the same.
Just make sure the room is “rat proofed” first. The fact of the matter is, rats LOVE to explore. And unfortunately, when they’re cooped up in a cage, there’s not too much exploring to be done. When you let your rat run around in a room in your house, I can guarantee they will find a way to get into something they shouldn’t be getting into. In order to keep your rat safe from household toxins, crevices he can get stuck in and various other catastrophes (or should I say, RATastrophes), you need to rat-proof your home. By rat-proofing the rooms your rats love, you may be saving them from sickness, or even death. There are several items that you need to make this easier, most of which you can either find in your home or at the local pet store. Once you have finished rat-proofing, you may want to buy some things to make the room more interesting (although, surely it’s quite interesting already). The only things you might want to buy are some toys, like ladders and tubing. The possibilities are endless, so let’s get started.
Step 1–Surveying the site
Take a look at the room in which you want to rat-proof. Try to find places a rat could go. Keep an eye out for:
- Closets
- Cupboards
- Dressers
- Beds
- Heater Vents
- Couches
- Holes
- Windows
- Doors that could be left open accidentally.
Look for furnishings you like. Can they be chewed on? Is it necessary to keep these items in here?
- Couches
- Dressers
- Blankets, sheets
- Books
- Anything made out of wood
- Important papers
Look for electrical wires, phone cords, and other types of cords, and various other electrical stuff, like:
- Cords from blinds for windows
- Lamps
- Computer stuff
- Electric Clocks
- Music stuff
- Phones
- Phone Jacks
- Electrical outlets
Is there any place in the room you don’t want the rat to go?
- Bed
- Couch
- Desk
- Behind the wall
- In a cupboard
Is there anything else that looks dangerous?
- Kitchen Supplies
- Toxins
- Bathroom Cleansers
- Paints
- Old Foods
- Plants
- Soaps
- Things that don’t say “nontoxic”
Now that you’ve covered most of the basics, it’s time to think about how to fix this stuff.
Step 2–How do I fix minor problems?
Cupboards and Doors
On cupboards, you can either tape them shut, or buy latches to put on them. Keep in mind, even though they are heavy, if they stay ajar when closed or are accidentally left open, there could be a major problem. Build a guard to set up around doors when the ratties are playing (in case someone accidentally leaves a door open), at least a foot and a half tall. It should be made out of something non-chewable, such as Plexiglas or metal sheets. Wood is okay, because even though it can be chewed, it can’t to the extent that a rat could get out in any short length of time. Put up signs you printed out on your computer to make sure that other people don’t leave windows and doors open. Make sure people who enter the room take their shoes off at the door.
Under the Furniture
Put up guards around the bottoms of furniture that your rat could get under if you don’t want them under there.
Holes and Protecting beds from rat pee
Put up guards over holes and heater vents (Try to screw them on, if possible. Rats can be VERY sneaky). If you’ve got a bed in the room, put an old blanket over it and then put a fitted sheet over that to protect it from urine.
Electrical Wires and other scary stuff
ANYTHING ELECTRICAL SHOULD BE REMOVED. Wires should be covered and hung above the floor, attached to the wall securely and there should be NO WAY for the rat to get at it AT ALL. Electrical and phone jacks should be covered with covers made for crazy children with paper clips. Remove anything you think is harmful. Make sure the toilet lid is closed if the rat has access to a bathroom, because he or she could fall in and drown.
Step 3–Major Problems
There are several major problems that you need to look for before letting your rat loose.
- Windows, ledges, and any way to get outside
- There should be NO WAY for your rat to get outside.
- Other animals you have as pets or other people’s pets, or wild animals
- There should be no other animals in the room. Make sure that you check the room for your cats, dogs, and snakes before even putting your rat down.
- People coming into the room and stepping on your rat
- Make sure there is a guard around the door, and a sign that tells people to take off their shoes before entering.
- Make sure there is a guard around the door, and a sign that tells people to take off their shoes before entering.
- Garbage Cans and Laundry Dryers, etc.
- Make sure all garbage cans are removed or covered, and don’t have your rats running loose if you are doing the laundry, as they can get lost in the laundry, thrown in the dryer or washer, and killed accidentally.
- Couch cushions and box springs
- Make sure the rat is not in the couch, behind the cushions, or somehow in the box springs. They can suffocate when you either sit down or get up.
Step 4–Protecting the room and caring for the rat
Beds and Furniture
Cover all beds and furniture you don’t want peed on with a sheet. For beds, rats like to burrow in the sheets and leave bits of food, poop, and other “fun” items in there. This is not appreciated. Get an old blanket and put it over the bed, and then cover that with a fitted sheet.
Chewable items
To keep your rat from chewing on items, wait until you see where the rat is chewing, and then put some “Bitter Apple” on the place. Bitter Apple is a nontoxic juice kind of stuff that tastes very bad. Rats will not chew on the place anymore if they hate how it tastes.
Going to the bathroom
Rats urine mark. Males do it more than females, and if your male does it a lot, you might consider getting him neutered before letting him run free, because their pee tends to stink more than the female’s. As far as REALLY having to go to the bathroom, you should strategically place small litter boxes around the room. An alternative is to leave their cage in the room. Often, the rat will go back to his cage to relieve himself.
Food and water
It is a good idea to leave the cage in the room so that Rattie can go and get food and water when he or she pleases, but you can also find a place to hang a water bottle and leave a food dish.
A nest
Lots of rats like to sleep in tight spots. It is a good idea to have a nest in case your rat gets tired. I suggest getting a fish bowl and filling it with shredded paper. Your rat can make a nest, and when he’s tired, take a nap.
Step 5–Checking the rat room
Before
You are going to need to check the room, and possibly vacuum every time you let your rat loose, to make sure there’s nothing icky in the carpet. Also check for any spider webs, bugs, open cupboards, etc. Just do a basic ground check.
After
Check for any chewed spots, and apply Bitter Apple if needed. Empty any very dirty litter boxes, replace food and water, etc.
Step 6–Adding cool stuff to their playground
Here are some neat ideas for things to add to the room:
- A rattie lawn (box with grass growing in it)
- Ladders
- A Ferret Freeway (clear dryer vent tubing)
- Ropes
- Be Creative!
Now that the room is safe, your job is to keep it that way, making sure it’s always clean, and fun to be in for the ratties. Have fun!
on November 25th, 2006 at 2:32 pm
I have like a 50 gallon aquarium from an old pet. I was thinking about getting a rat or two to live in it. Would that be an ok size to house two rats? How often would I have to clean it?
on December 19th, 2006 at 10:08 pm
50 Gallons would be like the Taj-Mahal to like 7 rats. So, two would be veryveryveryveryhappy in 50. Mine are in just a 15 Gal.
(Albino rats are very attachable and black rats are very affectionate =P)
on December 27th, 2006 at 7:40 pm
Umm, I was thinking about buying four male rats. I found a Five level wire cage at Petco, would that be ok? Also, is having four rats ok? they were all together when i saw them, but is that to many? would two be overwhelmed in that size of a cage? I was thinking about getting three, but then one would be left all alone at the pet store! And maybe two would get along well, and the last one would be left out. I picked out names for all of them, based on how they look, act ect.. I sat in front of their cage for like an HOUR! I have spent even longer researching them, and i hope i have enough info. this article realy helped me though! Thanks!
on January 14th, 2007 at 3:16 am
im gunna be buyin 2 female rats within the next few days. and i was wunderin if a 13×23 (in inches) cage would be big enuff for both? theres sum ramps, ladders, sticks, etc. and they would be out alott..
on January 20th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
I am planing on buying 2 male rats. They are my first small pet and not much surfaces to put a cage on. It is going in my bedroom. What size of cage should I get (I don’t mind if it is tall), where should I put it and what cage accessories should I get.
on January 21st, 2007 at 5:11 pm
hi me again correction, im getting 2 female rats
on March 8th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
hi i am a teenager in the past i have had three hamsters and two mice i would love to next get a rat i love animals what stuff would you recomend to a rat begginer?????????
on March 10th, 2007 at 1:17 am
Hi i have had many rats in the past. to a begginner i would suggest thats its just like lookng after a hamster except you’ll have it out alot more because they are more affectonate than hamsters and love to be held. also taking them out of their cage gives them great exercise and the bond between you both will be greater. when choosing your rat i would suggest watching the rats at the pet store first to see their behaviour, you dont want one that picks on the other rats or one that has any kind of health issues. their fur shouldn’t be patchy they shouldnt scratch a lot and their eyes, ears and nose shouldnt have any discharge from them. hen our at teh store look at the cage too, is it clean? if not theres not a good chance that the rats there are healthy. when you find one that looks good ask to hold it. make sure it doesnt bite!!!! i woild recommend a male rat they dont run aournd as much as the females and they like to stay close by you.
on August 9th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Ive been looking for a rat cage for some time now. Ive found wonderful ferret cages that suit my needs. BUT all the websites ive found are based in the u.k. If anyone knows of a company that sells good cages please contact me.
on August 16th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
We built our own “ratararium,” constructing a frame made of wood 6′ x 24″ x 24″ and then covered the sides and bottom with plexiglass. We installed screen on the top, and then cut doors in the front for easy access. This thing is huge! The bottom is layered with soil, rock, bamboo tubes, a bamboo bridge, logs and sticks. We also added some wood shavings. We have only two male rats, but these guys are so happy. They make their own nests under logs and play at night. We don’t feed them in a bowl. We hide and scatter the food all over the place, giving them a chance to go and find it. Makes it more interesting.
on September 1st, 2007 at 12:46 am
I am getting a new rat, I had some a few years ago and am ready for them. I have a ferret cage as his/her home. It is 24×24x36. It has two platforms and the bottom floor. A bird ladder and tubes are connecting the levels and only one hammock. Also, there are little green hemispheres that are hidey houses and a snack shak house. What else should I get?
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on October 11th, 2007 at 12:43 am
My sisters baby rat who is around 7 weeks old has gotten inside our couch and we can’t seem to find it, but we know it is definately in the couch.
I’m really worried.
Help!
Are there anyways to get it out, we have already cut the material material that the pillows are on top of.
on October 13th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
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on October 27th, 2007 at 5:41 am
Where is the best place to put my rat cage in my house besides the kitchen?!!!
on November 13th, 2007 at 1:38 am
For all those who are just thinking of getting or just got their first rat(s)…
I have recently picked up two male rats and currently have them in a 12×24x24 cage and they seem to love it….but I want to give them more room for toys so I’m planning on making my own cage.
One suggestion I have, if you are planning on keeping them in the cage most of the time is to also remember that you can use the outside of the cage also. We keep our rats cage on a shelf that is quite a bit longer than the cage and there’s another shelf above their cage…the boys love climbing to the top of the cage and looking over the edge. Because the other shelf is there, it’s darker up there than it is at the bottom. We have toys and tubes on the shelf for them to play with when running around, and even attached a wheel to the outside (neither rat is fond of wheels, but the one will go in it occationally). There are also platforms and ropes on the outside for them to play on. This play time has helped them become more friendly towards us, and given us the chance to coax them into coming onto our shoulders/hands/arms.
So, while planning out your cage, also consider where you are putting it, if you can have a place that is big enough that they can run around outside of the cage (and not get away), they will be happier than if they are just stuck in the cage all the time. Imagine if you were stuck in your house all day…would you be a happy camper?
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on December 4th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
If you want a good place to get rat cages, go to Martin’s Cages (martinscages.com). They are well constructed (get the coating on the wires though) and not too expensive for how large they are. I have two female rats in the Rat Tower (24×14x36). The wire floors are not so great for the feet, so I slapped down some floor tiles. It’s much easier to clean that way as well. The cage might look big, but once you put a wheel in it and hammocks and toys, the space quickly gets taken up.
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on December 12th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
I have a series of four hamster cages connected with tubes (our hamster recently died) I am wondering if this cage setup would work for rats, or is a grown rat too big for the tubes?
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on January 5th, 2008 at 11:01 am
i was contemplating buying two girl rats for them to live together, but would two girl rats get along together ?
Thanks
on February 4th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
hey all, i got a rat for christmas and she lives in a wire cage. she likes to chew on the bars. is there anything that i can put on the bars that will discourage her from chewing. help is appreciated. P.S. becci two girls will get along, infact it is recomended that u get 2.
on February 4th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
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on February 23rd, 2008 at 12:17 pm
hi. no need to answer my last question. she just died. should i get 2 this time? i had 2 rats when i was 5 or 6, but they died just as quick. i’m really gonna miss her. please say a prayer that she doesn’t end up with a horns and a pitchfork (and i mean it with all my heart). that’s all. hope she makes it to that big slice of cheese in the sky.
on March 6th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Okay so i got a rat the other day
. I fell in love with this rat ALREADY lol. I am only 12 going on 13 in two days. I have a female rat named Joy. She is very frigid and scared most of the time and i have a 20″Lx10″Wx12″H aquatium is this big enough and is it big enough for two. I am getting another and i need to know if this aquarium is big enough. (I am going to name the next female Tinkerbell) Please help!
Thanks!!!!!
on March 19th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Hi,
Im from Birmingham, Uk, me and my boyfriend bought two females a week ago, they r about 8 weeks, both bought in pet shops. We have a two level wire cage, but planning to buy a biger one after movin to our own flat. Im using catslitter on the botoom and cove it with little wood shavings. They only eat and do their toilet on the bottom, but in their houses i gave them pieces of my old t-shirt cut to peaces. Im reading that because of various illnesses it is very important to use appropriate bedding. Which is the best and where can i get it? they didnt have anything “profffesional” in the pet shops ive been to …
on March 19th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
pieces of course
not cut into peaces 
on March 23rd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
hello i am trying to get some information about converting a shed into a rattery for my rats. i was just wondering if anyone had any information on what would be best. obviously i will be insulating the shed before hand but is there anything else i will need to do?
on March 26th, 2008 at 10:19 am
HI I HAVE A FEMALE RAT AND I HAVE A SISTER WHO IS PREGNANT AND SHE IS COMING TO HAVE THE BABY TO HOUSTON AND SHE IS GOING TO LEAVE THE BABY HERE. CAN ANYONE HELP ME ,MY FAMILY WANTS TO GET RID OF MY RAT BECAUSE THEY SAY THAT THE BABY CAN GET SICK DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY INFO ABOUT RATS AND NEW BORNS. I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO
on April 17th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Hi! I’m a new rat owner who needs some advice.Im going to get a male rat and so is my sister. We’re going to get babies. What I need help with is activities. i don’t know what to do with my rats after I get them.I’d also like to know if anyone here has helpful advice.
on April 17th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
dear bessi, yes females get along WONDERFUL!!!!!! My friend has had alot of female rats. They get along really well if they’re sisters.
on April 18th, 2008 at 7:27 am
to damy
there is no need to get rid of your rat I had mine while pregnant untill my daughter was 2 now shes for we have rescued another 3 females.
as you keep the baby seperate from the rat I.e keep the rat away from babys cot, bedding food bottles etc. there will be no problems.
basic hygine rules should apply such as washing after playing with rat, cleaning it out.
If you are wondering I have spent my life studying rats and owning them and have never had a rat verses baby problem.
hope ive been some help
a rat lover x
on April 18th, 2008 at 7:32 am
to lunrat
thing rats like try filling small dish with about cm of water with frozen peas or corn in it instent rat fishing! or small pot with eart in it bury treats in it rats like diggng.
also climbing rope toys, chewing things being stroked. I advise that a rat should have a minimum of 1 hour a day human contact to be compleatly happy.
good luck
on June 8th, 2008 at 1:03 am
can i keep my two male rats in my bedroom???