Cages are a vital aspect to keeping our rats safe and healthy, rats are not free roaming animals but they do require large enclosures to keep them entertained and healthy. Rats are fossorial animals, therefore floorspace is important, so these cages can not only cost a lot of money, but also take up a lot of room! Rats are intelligent creatures, you will see the negative impact of a small or undecorated/boring cage layout as the rats begin chewing bars, over grooming themselves or other cagemates, or acting erratically.
The best cage minimum for rats to be able to explore and display their full fossorial behaviours and truly thrive is 640 square inches of floorspace (that is for up to 3 rats max, with an additional 212 square inches per additional rat). The most ethical standard provides minimum cage dimensions of 32x20x24 inches // 80x50x60 cm (LxWxH) in order to allow the rats to coexist in a group together without issues, prevent stress and boredom, and prevent any health problems as a result of a cage that is too small.
While this standard is sadly not recognized in studies and is only recently being promoted in the rat community, the old standards of 2.5 cubic feet per rat are simply outdated and sourced from laboratory studies; Lab studies do not accommodate for thriving, but rather that of the bare minimum that they need to simply survive, but our pets deserve to thrive!
*Note: Levels do NOT add to overall floorspace, it is about unbroken space and an appropriate burrowing area to display natural behaviours and prevent stress. Levels broken amongst the cage do not provide more floorpsace, or add room for more rats. Cages must be expanded length-ways/horizontally in order to provide appropriate floorspace to add more rats to the mischief.
Cages To Avoid
Unfortunately there are many cages on the market that are not safe or suitable for rats, despite being advertised as such. It is up to us, as the buyer, to be educated within suitable enclosures for our pets. Oftentimes what you see on the shelf at a store is not what is going to allow your pet(s) to thrive in a suitable environment. Below is a list of cages that are unsuitable and should be avoided (and the design issues that make them so).
Wooden Enclosures:
These are extremely unsuitable for rats as the wood traps and builds up ammonia which risks serious respiratory upset; They are commonly made without enough ventilation for rats, adding to the respiratory risks, and often lack severely in floorspace which can result in stress. Even rabbit hutches are unsuitable, ammonia issues aside rats can chew through wood and escape these cages with ease. They'll have a wooden enclsoure smelling and in shambles in no time, it is simply the smartest and best choice for all involved to pursue a fully metal chew proof cage.
Tanks/Vivariums/"Tank Toppers":
Tank toppers, like the ones by Kaytee, are extremely dangerous and can result in injuries or sickness; They lack in appropriate size and ventilation, oftentimes being no larger than 10 gallons in tank size (rats need MUCH more). Regardless of its size, a tank simply is not suitable as these do not provide sufficient ventilation for their fragile respiratory systems. No matter how long one has been keeping rats, no matter how often one cleans the tank, and no matter the setup inside, this is not suitable and will ultimately cause your rats issues. Tanks also provide no climbing space, to which is necessary (to some extent) to display natural behaviours and provide proper enrichment.
Critter Trail Cages:
These are not suitable for any animal of any size, other than that of a stuffed animal (and even then, as we should not be teaching children that anything belongs in something so small). Often euipped with a potentially deadly wheel and tiny tubes that cause severe injury and even fatality, this shoebox of a cage is a great way to make an animal feel absolutely miserable, and tear away every aspect of their natural instincts. This is a glorified carrier at best, never purchase these.
Grated Floors/Levels:
Cages equipped with these grated levels and ramps often advertise themselves as "easy to grip" and grated bases are advertised as easier to clean, when in reality all they do is result in more cleaning and risk injuries and even infection (like bumblefoot, an infection of the foot pad). These should be avoided, however most cages with this design are often too small for permanent use anyway, so these are relatively easy to avoid. When using these cages as temporary cages, always be sure you are not using the levels or ramps, and covering any base grates.
Note: Rats need to be able to reach their feces for dietary purposes, never restrict this and always avoid grated floors and litter boxes.
"Starter" Cages:
Dimensions are often extremely small (I wouldn't suggest the one pictured for anything other than a carrier) and honestly are a waste of money unless being purchased as a quarantine/temporary cage. So long as the rats are of an ethical age to be home with you (ideally no younger than 8 weeks, never younger than 6 for health purposes) then they will have no problem navigating an appropriately sized and set up cage just as an adult could!
Cage Recommendations for the US and Canada
Below are cages that may or may not be for rats, but regardless they can be (or be made) suitable for them! Note that all cages with levels depicted are best used without, in order to provide ideal activity and enrichment. You can buy a lot of cage fillers from dollar stores, such as dog ropes and plastic baskets, and making things like nets and perches can be very cost affective. Wine racks, tie hangers, and wicker baskets from IKEA also make great cage additions. Many try to focus on the bare necessities, but we need to look at the big picture. Rats need opportunities to burrow, forage, climb, jump, chew, and more (check out the cage enrichment blog for more on that) so what we often view as the "bare necessities" will not cut it. They need stimulation, and they need true enrichment. A cage full of fleece and the same repeated texture is extremely boring!
*Note: All dimensions are listed in traditional LxWxH format in both inches and centimetres; Keep in mind that any cage with a plastic base can be chewed through, for heavy chewers a fully metal cage is required.
Midwest Critter/Ferret Nation Cages:
Dimensions: 36x24x24 in. // 90x60x60 cm (single model, including stand)
Housing: A single base houses 4 rats comfortably long term; In order to add more rats and double this, you must add another unit horizontally to double the floorspace.
Details: This is an awesome cage, with appropriate floorspace and double doors for easy cleaning! This comes in a single and double model, however be aware that there are many knock-offs of this cage! A Ferret Nation can also work, they have the same dimensions but they have vertical bars, that are one inch apart which will require hardware cloth to prevent escapes (unless you have large males). They do sell scatter guards however they're overpriced and don't really work, I would suggest the large cement mixing tub from your local hardware store (36x24x8 in. dimensions) or a custom made base.
Frisco Small Animal Cage:
Dimensions: 36x24x24 in. // 90x60x60 cm (single model, including stand)
Housing: The same as the Midwest units!
Details: This cage has a great amount of floorspace and double doors for easy access, and also comes in a single and double model. These come with small built in scatter guards, and is most available in the US. The downfall of this cage and it's design is that it is less versatile than the Midwest models, as they do not come apart in a manner in which we can connect them side by side.
Fesity Ferret Cage
Dimensions: 31x20x54 in. // 78x50x138 cm (stand included)
Housing: While ever so slightly below the minimum, this can still house up to 3 rats; We should be strict within our standards, but we also need to be realistic with that too
Details: Also available in areas of the UK/EU, these cages are quite good. Modifications are required but worth it when found for a discounted price; Bar spacing is too large and half inch hardware cloth will need to be applied to prevent escapes, and a base will also need to be provided (check out the Sokerbit bin by IKEA with the same base dimensions). Only one side of the doors opens, so consider this.
Yaheetech Rolling Cage:
Dimensions: 31x20x41 in. // 78x51x105 cm
Housing: Once again, while very slightly below the minimum this can comfortably house up to 3 rats
Details: Also available in some areas of the UK, this cage is essentially a Critter Nation knock off with one inch vertical bars and slightly smaller dimensions, but can be made suitable and can be well worth the price of modifications when found for a cheap price or secondhand! Only one side of the doors opens, so consider this.
*Note: There are many versions of this cage, plenty of which fall well below the floorspace minimum, this model with these dimensions is the only suitable option from Yaheetech.
Feraplast Ferret Tower 2-Story by Midwest:
Dimensions: 31.5x29.5x63 in. // 80x75x160 cm
Housing: Suitable for up to 3 rats
Details: Be mindful of the varying models of this cage, this is the only suitable one, and other Feraplast cages fall below the suggested ethical standards. This is a great cage to sit on the floor or a dresser, table, or end table.
Full Cheeks "Climb Up" Small Pet Habitat:
Dimensions: 31.6x20.6x43 in. // 80x52x109 cm
Housing: Suitable for up to 3 rats
Details: While this does have a base grate, and wide bar spacing, the base grate can be easily removed and the cage can be wrapped to prevent escapes!
Full Cheeks "Rabbit" Cage:
Dimensions: 51.6x20.7x27 in. // 131x52x70 cm
Housing: Suitable for up to 5 rats
Details: While completely unsuitable for rabbits, this cage is great for rats with some modifications made in regards to bar spacing! This cage is great for the floor or table top, and very generous in size.
Small-Bird Flight Cages:
Dimensions: Depends on the brand/model
Housing: Depends on the brand/model
Details: These can make great rat cages, bars may be vertical but making a fully active layout helps with that. The doors can be small, however floorspace is often very large as these cages are designed for small birds (like finches and parakeets) to be able to fly short distances while still in their cage. These can be converted to suit rats and their needs, however it can be pricey as the base needs to be able to hold substrate; Corrugated plastic or plexiglass (good for heavy chewers) is the best solution here. If the base is flat, scatter guards are also an option, but bird cages most commonly come with grated floors.
Rat Cage Recommendations for the UK/EU/AU
Savic Zeno 3:
Dimensions: 40x20x46 in. // 100x50x116 cm
Housing: Suitable for up to 5 rats
Details: Great floorspace, a good base for substrate, and a very good size. This cage is also oftentimes available in the US and Canada! Some find small doors to be debilitating, however they can actually be less limiting in terms of setup compared to cages that fully open at the front.
Savic Zeno 2 Knockdown:
Dimensions: 32x20x27 in. // 80x50x70 cm
Housing: Suitable for up to 3 rats
Details: These can also be found in the US and Canada, but they are much less common. Nonetheless, this is a great cage! Tabletop, suitable in size, and provides rats with the space they need to thrive.
Savic Freddy 2 Max:
Dimensions: 32x20x32 in. // 80x50x80 cm
Housing: Suitable for up to 3 rats
Details: While it may appear small, this cage hits the minimum and provides a great amount of space for rats to thrive, don't let photos deceive you! Ensure levels are removed as they are wooden and can harbour ammonia and get messy very quickly.
Ferret Kingdom:
Dimensions: 37x25x63 in. // 93.5x63.5x159.5 cm
Housing: Suitable for up to 4 rats
Details: Most commonly available in Australia (AU), the Ferret Kingdom is a great option for rats and is a good choice for those wanting to explore Critter Nation style cages with fully opening doors; Midwest cages may be available to some, but for many outside of the US and Canada it isn't worth the shipping costs when you can find alternatives like this!
Coco Large:
Dimensions: 40x20x27 in. // 100x50x70 cm
Housing: Suitable for up to 4 rats
Details: While it may not seem like it from photos, this cage is larger than the single Midwest Critter Nation! Do not let photos deceive you, dimensions trump all else. This cage has a good base, and it is a great size to be used on a table, dresser, or wardrobe. Unfortunately this cage does come with wooden ramps and levels that will need to be removed and used in another way (during free roam, as a means to exit the cage for supervised play, etc).
Mamble Rat Cage 100:
Dimensions: 40x21x25 in. // 100x54x64 cm
Housing: Suitable for up to 4 rats
Details: This is a great cage with a good design for tabletop use; Set up can be limiting with the small doors however many find this to be more useful within packing the cage.
Little Zoo Venturer:
Dimensions: 37x26x62 in. // 93x68x158 cm (double model)
Housing: Suitable for up to 4 rats
Details: A VERY good cage, a bit larger than the DCN, but made much better! I wish this cage was available over here, it is by far one of the best globally! Great size, even the shelves have a lip for bedding, and no space is taken up by a storage shelf. This comes in a double and single version, you will need additional scatter guards required to hit the substrate minimum!
Savic Royal Suite 95:
Dimensions: 37x24x62.5 in. // 95x63x159 cm
Housing: Suitable for up to 4 rats
Details: Good base for substrate, great floorspace, wheels for easy moving, double doors that both open for easy access, and a storage area underneath. However, the base does need converted as the design is faulty and substrate falls through.
Savic Royal Suite XL:
Dimensions: 45x26.5x57 in. // 115.5x67.5x146 cm
Housing: Suitable for up to 5 rats
Details: This cage is quite a bit larger than the DCN and other cages previously; Generous floorspace, easy access with the fully opening double doors, and no space lost due to a storage area, which for some is a deal breaker but personally I love the use of the space for the rats rather than having a shelf! This will need additional scatter guards or a custom base to hit that substrate minimum.
Final Considerations
Please remember that cages are meant to keep our small pets, like rats, safe. These are not to be viewed as a prison but rather a home, one that is enriched and large enough for them to thrive for their whole life. Closing them in a cage is not bad, it is a means to ensure they are kept safe and healthy, and to keep them confined when we cannot supervise them. 24/7 free roam is never okay, rats should be supervised at all times when out of the cage.