Finding the right rat cage

Congratulations on your new rat – and your new job as a rat housekeeper! Your biggest responsibility is making sure the cage you select for your pet is as spacious and sturdy, and remains as comfortable and clean, as possible. We recommended the largest, most well-made cage you can afford. After all, it is the most important investment you'll make for your animal companion.

Size

When selecting a cage, keep in mind the golden rule of happy rat housing: the bigger, the better! Your pet's home should be at least 14 inches wide, 24 inches long and 12 inches tall, but 18 inches by 36 inches would be ideal. If you've got a multi-rat household, opt for an even larger cage.

Wire vs. Glass vs. Plastic

Wire cages and glass or sturdy plastic aquariums are great choices for rat houses. Wire cages provide good air circulation and are recommended if you live in a warmer climate. They also allow your rat to interact with you more easily, and your pet can get in some good exercise by climbing on the sides of the cage. Just make sure the model you select does not have a wire floor or shelves, or your rat could get her feet and legs caught. Glass and plastic aquariums do not provide as good air circulation as wire cages, but they do resist corrosion and will protect a rat from drafts.

Cage location

Take care when deciding on a location for the cage. A place that is not too cold, not too noisy and not too bright is just right. And if that place happens to be a room where the family gathers in the early evening, even better! It's also smart to place the cage away from walls, where you'll have easy access to it – you'll be glad you did when it comes to cleaning time.

Litter and lining

Next, you'll need to make your rat's house feel like a home. Line the cage with aspen shavings, pelleted bedding or shredded paper. These materials are all clean, non-toxic and easy to clear away and replace. Stay away from cedar and pine shavings, as their fumes can irritate your pet's nasal passages, throat and lungs. Some rats like to make cozy nests for napping. If yours does, give her some shredded paper towels, napkins or straw, and watch her go to town. You will also need to designate an area in the cage where your pet can get some privacy, take a snooze or just chill out. You can use a PVC pipe, empty shoebox or tissue box for your rat hideout.

Accesories and toys

For the finishing touch, provide proper toys for your pet. Some rats are serious runners, so be sure yours has a solid metal or plastic exercise wheel. No wire wheels, as tiny rat feet and tails can get caught in the openings. Ladders and branches are fun, too, as are small balls (no rubber ones!) and cardboard tubes. Don't skimp on the chew toys, please. Some individuals like rawhide chews, while others prefer wood and cardboard chew toys. If the cage is large enough, you can provide your little girl with a digging box halfway filled with potting soil or shredded paper.

Cleaning

To be a good rat housekeeper, you'll need to remove soiled bedding, uneaten food and droppings every day. Once a week, dump out all the bedding and scrub the bottom of the cage with hot, soapy water. Rinse away all soap, and let the cage dry before refilling with bedding material. If it seems that your rat is unusually messy, don't worry, she's not. All rats are, well, messy. But we hope you'll agree that her many charms outweigh this very slight character flaw!