The 15 Best Pet Rat Cages
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Pet Rats are a very beginner-friendly pet because they are small and fairly easy to care for. Like any pet, however, hamsters have certain requirements for care. On top of providing your pet rat with a healthy diet, you also need to make sure it has the ideal habitat, which means choosing a good pet rat cage.
In this article, we’ll talk about tips for housing pet rats and provide some insight into choosing the right pet rat cage. We’ll also show you our top 15 picks for the best pet rat cages in different categories.
At a Glance: Best Pet Rat Cages To Buy
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Pet Rat Cages
| Best Affordable
3. Kaytee 2x2 Multi-Level Habitat with Removable Casters Small Animal Habitat | |||||||||
| Size 36 x 24 x 63 inches | Size 31 x 20 x 54 inches | Size 24 x 24 x 41.5 inches | Size 12.8 x 17 x 24 inches | Size 12.8 x 17 x 24 inches | Size 24 x 24 x 41.5 inches | Size 36 x 25 x 63.25 inches | Size 31.89 x 18.31 x 69.09 inches | Size 25.34 x 6.26 x 12.91 inches | Size 25.3 x 6.3 x 12.9 inches |
| Features Two levels, included wheel, easy to clean | Features Plenty of space, durable | Features Multi level, Easy assembly | Features One level, Easy to clean | Features Great ventilation, easy to clean | Features Multi-Level, durable | Features Ramp, Shelf, (4) Wheel Casters, Ramp Cover, Tray. | Features 3 levels, solid ventilation | Features Durable and safe | Features Multiple levels, easy setup |
| Materials Coated Metal | Materials Plastic, wire mesh | Materials Plastic, wire mesh | Materials Plastic, coated wire | Materials Plastic and coated wire | Materials Plastic and coated wire | Materials Steel, Plastic | Materials Plastic and coated wire | Materials Plastic and coated wire | Materials Plastic and coated wire |
Our Top Picks For The Best Pet Rat Cages
If you are looking for the ideal rat cage or habitat that will best suit your pet, you need to know what exactly you need to buy.
An ideal and comfortable home would be one that is spacious enough, has good ventilation, is easy to clean and assemble.
Most importantly, it should be of the best quality. Therefore, the following list contains the best rat cages that you can choose from.
Overall Best
1.
MidWest Critter Nation Deluxe Small Animal Cage
Product Info
- Size: 36 x 24 x 63 inches
- Features: Two levels, included wheel, easy to clean
- Materials: Coated Metal
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Sturdy and huge
- Very spacious
- It is of high quality
Cons
- Quality not consistent
- It is very expensive
- Some pieces don’t fit
- It is very heavy to carry
This cage has full-width double doors which help to easily clean and feed the pets. Moreover, it has a wide expansive shelf and a full-width plastic pan floor for maximum play. The happy feet ramp cover protects pet feet and provides traction. Furthermore, you can easily adjust or remove the shelves and the plastic tray for easy cleaning.
Runner Up
2.
Prevue Pet Products Feisty Ferret Home
Product Info
- Size: 31 x 20 x 54 inches
- Features: Plenty of space, durable
- Materials: Plastic, wire mesh
Pros
- Very well built
- Sturdy and huge
- Easy to move around with the wheels
- It is very spacious for the pets to play
Cons
- Some say the cage quality is not consistent
- It is very expensive
- Some pieces don’t fit
This is a spacious cage which provides room for even the most energetic ferret. It contains 2 plastic platforms, 3 plastic ramps, 1 hammock, and grille included. Furthermore, it has large hinged doors that are escape-proof. It also has a space-saving shelf that you can use for storing toys, treats and other things for the pet. It measures 31 inches long, 20 inches wide, 54 inches high on a stand.
Best Affordable
3.
Kaytee 2x2 Multi-Level Habitat with Removable Casters Small Animal Habitat
Product Info
- Size: 24 x 24 x 41.5 inches
- Features: Multi level, Easy assembly
- Materials: Plastic, wire mesh
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Ample room for the pet
- It has replaceable parts
Cons
- The hammock material is not durable
- Plastic ramps break easily
- Some of the plastic parts don’t easily fit together
This cage is an easy to clean deep scatter-less base that you can remove and replace in a snap. It comes with safety ramps, spiral slide, hammock, ferret trail funnel, and 3 comfort shelves. Furthermore, it provides your small pet with a safe, creative multi-level environment in which to exercise and play. The hammock colors may also vary.
Premium Choice
4.
Ware Chew Proof 4 Story Small Animal Cage
Product Info
- Size: 12.8 x 17 x 24 inches
- Features: One level, Easy to clean
- Materials: Plastic, coated wire
Pros
- Easy to clean
- It is made of good quality
- Easy to assemble
- Very affordable
Cons
- The top and bottom don’t quite fit together
- Some say the metal rusts after a while
- The latches are not super secure
This cage is of durable all-metal chew-proof design which has a powder coated wire that is easily attached to the metal drop pan. Furthermore, it features 2 front opening doorways with a safety lock, a 4-floor design which includes ramps and shelves. It also has a well-ventilated fresh-air design. Moreover, this cage measures 12-3/4 inches long, 17 inches wide and 25 inches high.
Best Durable
5.
Kaytee My First Home Small Animal Tank Topper
Product Info
- Size: 12.8 x 17 x 24 inches
- Features: Great ventilation, easy to clean
- Materials: Plastic and coated wire
Pros
- It is very easy to clean
- The tank is deep beddings don’t spill over
- It is easy to assemble
- You can put more bedding
Cons
- Ladders are not sturdy enough
- Door clips are not secure enough
- The plastic ramps break easily
This cage converts any 10-gallon tank into a multi-level high rise for small furry pets. Moreover, it comes with comfort shelves, safety ramps, food dish, water bottle and a little brick house hideout without the glass tank. It is also made with chew-proof coated wire. Its bar spacing is around ½ inches, which makes it great for these small critters.
6.
Kaytee My First Home Multi-Level Small Animal Habitat
Product Info
- Size: 24 x 24 x 41.5 inches
- Features: Multi-Level, durable
- Materials: Plastic and coated wire
Pros
- Very sturdy
- Good quality material
- Very spacious
- Easy to clean
Cons
- The water bottle is too small
- Wheel is small
- Rat can chew on the plastic
This cage is an ideal habitat for chinchillas, rats, and exotic pets. Moreover, it has multiple levels that are good for your pet to use to exercise, play and climb. It is easy to assemble and clean. Furthermore, it has a deep base which prevents spillage of beddings. It has chew-proof locks and wires which add to the safety of your pet. It also measures 30.5” x 18” x 30” and a bar spacing of ½ inch.
7.
MidWest Ferret Nation Deluxe Ferret Cage
Product Info
- Size: 36 x 25 x 63.25 inches
- Features: Ramp, Shelf, (4) Wheel Casters, Ramp Cover, Tray.
- Materials: Steel, Plastic
Pros
- Easy to clean
- It is made of high quality
- Very attractive colors
Cons
- The Velcro material is not quality
- Ramps are not stable enough
- Some pieces are missing or don’t fit
This cage includes 2 shelf covers, 3 ramp covers, top pan cover and a bottom pan cover. It is also compatible with all ferret nation and critter nation double and triple unit habitats (models 182, 183, 162, 163). The accessories are easy to remove from the cage, machine washable and dryer friendly. Furthermore, this cage has comfortable and attractive ferret accessories in a polyester micro suede material. Moreover, it comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
8.
YAHEETECH 69-Inch Extra Large Wrought Iron 3 Levels Small Animal Cage
Product Info
- Size: 31.89 x 18.31 x 69.09 inches
- Features: 3 levels, solid ventilation
- Materials: Plastic and coated wire
Pros
- Made of good quality material
- Easy to clean
- Very sturdy and secure
- The rats cannot chew through the material
Cons
- The rats can crawl out of the bar spacing
- The quality is not consistent
This cage measures 31.89″l x 18.31″w x 69.09″h. It has a 3 level chew free wire cage body with tight 1/2-inch bar spacing suitable for small animals, 1/2-inch crossbar spacing wire shelves and ladders and a paw safe. Moreover, this cage has two front doors that have a removable grated floor and handles to make it easy to carry, a slide-out bottom pan for easy cleaning. Also, this cage can be folded easily and stored.
9.
Kaytee My First Home Habitat for Pet Rat
Product Info
- Size: 25.34 x 6.26 x 12.91 inches
- Features: Durable and safe
- Materials: Plastic and coated wire
Pros
- It is very easy to clean
- Deep pan prevents spillage
- It is of high quality
Cons
- The rats can crawl out of the bar spacing
- Ramps chew the plastic clips
- It is difficult to rearrange the cage items
This cage is an ideal home for rat lovers. This habitat comes complete with three sets of fun new wavy ramps and shelves to create the perfect climbing habitat for your rat. Moreover, the ½ inch wire spacing is vet approved to keep your rat safely inside its cage. The extra deep base prevents spilling of litter or bedding. It also is a durable, safe and comfortable habitat for your pet.
10.
Kaytee My First Home Rat Habitat
Product Info
- Size: 25.3 x 6.3 x 12.9 inches
- Features: Multiple levels, easy setup
- Materials: Plastic and coated wire
Pros
- Easy to clean
- It is very sturdy and secure
- The rats cannot chew through the material
Cons
- There is no enough space for accessories
- The bar spacing is not consistent
This cage is of wire locks directly into the base for added security and durability. The latches are of chew proof wire and connect directly to the cage wire. Furthermore, when assembled this habitat is 25.34 inch by 12.93 inches by 14 inches. It also has a deeper base that prevents bedding and litter from spilling out of the cage. The solid plastic shelves and ramps are safe and comfortable for pets. The cage also has a ½ inch wire spacing to prevent your pet from escaping.
11.
Prevue Pet Products Rat & Chinchilla Critter Cage
Product Info
- Materials: Metal, wire
- Size: 25 x 17.125 x 34 inches
- Accessories: Ramps, shelves, platforms
Pros
- Durable materials with small wire spacing
- Large front door and roof opening for access
- Storage shelf on bottom for convenience
Cons
- Not as large as other models reviewed
- Rose color may eventually rust with age
Slightly smaller than the previous Prevue cage, this chinchilla cage is ideal for one pet rat. It is made from solid metal with a durable powder coating and 3/8-inch wire spacing for maximum security. You’ll also be glad to know that it comes with a space-saving shelf to store toys as well as interior accessories including platforms and ramps.
12.
YAHEETECH 52” 6 Level Metal Critter Cage
Product Info
- Materials: Iron, wire
- Size: 25x17x51.5 inches
- Accessories: Ramps, platforms, tray
Pros
- Very large and spacious for the price
- Comes with several ramps and platforms
- Made from durable iron materials
Cons
- Takes up a significant amount of space
- Assembly instructions could be better
If you want a chinchilla cage that provides a great deal of vertical space for climbing and play, this is a great option. It is affordably priced under $100 and comes with several ramps and platforms that you can use to customize the space. Plus, it is made from durable materials with a slide-out tray for cleaning.
13.
Prevue Pet Products Deluxe Small Animal Home
Product Info
- Size: 32.5Lx19”Wx17.5”H
- Features: Great ventilation, easy to clean
- Materials: Plastic and wire mesh
Pros
- Heavy duty construction for security and safety
- Large enough to accommodate 2 hamsters
- Easy to assemble and maintain
Cons
- Main door only comes with 1 safety clip
- May not contain odor as well as other cages
The Prevue Pet Products Universal Small Animal Home is a great option because it features an extra-deep base with plenty of room for bedding and a wire mesh top that offers excellent ventilation.This cage comes with two entry doors, one on the top and one on the side, both of which are very large and easy to use.This cage is simple to clean and comes with a ramp and second level to maximize the use of space.
14.
Savic Hamster Heaven Metro Cage
Product Info
- Size: 31.5x20x20”
- Features: Well ventilated, modular, includes accessories
- Materials: Plastic and wire mesh
Pros
- Generously sized with enrichment activities
- Well ventilated and fairly easy to clean
- Comes with several accessories including a wheel
Cons
- Significantly more expensive than many models
- Can be somewhat tricky to assemble
The Lixit Animal Care Savic Hamster Heaven Metro Cage is a great option because it features a wide floor space area with upper levels where you can place accessories like hideouts and food bowls.It can also be added to with tubes on the top or sides to provide your hamster with enrichment opportunities.
15.
Ferplast Laura Hamster Cage
Product Info
- Materials: Coated Metal, Metal
- Size: 18.11 x 11.61 x 14.76 inches
- Features: Exercise wheel, food dish, home, ramps, shelves
Pros
- Clear base allows for easy viewing
- Wire top for ventilation and added space
- Tight ¼-inch spacing between bars for security
Cons
- May not accommodate larger exercise wheels
- Plastic materials could be more durable
Similar in design to the previous option, this gerbil cage features a clear plastic base so you can still view your gerbil even when it is burrowed into the substrate. This Ferplast Favola Large Hamster Cage features a nearly 5-inch-deep base with plenty of space for bedding and a nearly 12-inch top. This cage provides plenty of space and ventilation with ¼-inch spacing between the bars.
Key Considerations When Buying Rat Cages
Rats love to explore. This is why getting a cage that is just big enough for them to move around without feeling stuck is important.
Beyond size alone, there are plenty of other factors that an owner needs to consider when purchasing a cage. The following are things to think about when buying one.
- Spaciousness – There should be no reason why you should limit the amount of space your rats have. Even if they are not as picky as hamsters, requiring different chambers for different activities, they still require plenty of space to move around. Rats are curious creatures that love to burrow through, so you should take this into consideration. Furthermore, rats grow quite quickly, so when you are purchasing a cage, think about what size they may be in just a few months. If the cage is too small, rats will often become unhappy.
- Bar spacing – Since rats are curious and love to explore, cages with small space between the bars can be a problem. You want to make sure to get a cage that has half an inch or less space between the bars – especially for baby rats. Once they grow older, this space can go up to 1 inch. Furthermore, another reason this is important is because many guests, especially if they are small children, might want to squeeze their fingers through to touch the rat. This can be dangerous, so to prevent people from doing this, bar spacing should be considered.
- Ease of cleaning – Like any cage for a pet, you will need to clean it regularly since that is where that animal will be doing most of their pooping and peeing. For this reason, make sure to find a cage that is easy to clean. Things to think about are whether or not the doors can be removed easily, how easy it is to remove the pain, and if you can place your arm inside without any issues.
- Ventilation – This sort of relates to the space between the bars, but make sure that the cage has good ventilation. This is absolutely necessary because rats do not have strong lungs – especially if they are babies – so any lack of good air can cause problems.
- Material – There are a lot of different materials that the cage might be made out of. Since your rat might chew on the cage, and will also be urinating inside, you need to make sure the material isn’t something that will wear out easily. For example, if the cage is of galvanized wire material, then even though it is sturdy, people state that the urine gets right into it. As a result, this is very tiresome for owners to clean. On the other hand, if they are plastic material, they might be easier to clean, but female rats can easily chew through.
How to Properly Maintain a Rat Cage
New rat owners often underestimate the amount of work you actually need to put to maintain a rat cage. It isn’t the hardest thing in the world, however, there is more steps and efforts than just cleaning out the bedding. A rat cage can get dirty and smelly quite easily, so learn the steps below to properly maintain one.
- Change bedding regularly – Make sure to remove the bedding regularly, since this will allow your pet to sleep and urinate in a clean place. Think of it as a blanket, if you were to lie in a dirty blanket, it would not make you feel that great. The same thing goes for rats. The longer they stay in dirty bedding, the unhappier they become. Moreover, changing their bedding at least once or twice a week helps to keep your home smelling great as well.
- Wash thoroughly – Simply changing the bedding is not enough to keep the smell away. To really make sure that your cage is clean, wash the plastic base and wired top frequently. Even if you cannot visibly see it, your rat may urinate on the cage wires, and this can be the main reason why it smells so bad. You should do this at least once a week.
- Remove food bowls and feeders – When your rat has finished eating, make sure to remove the food bowls and clean them out regularly. This will remove all traces of food residue and will help keep their health in check.
Final Thoughts
In summary, to make your rat is kept clean and happy, create a safe, comfortable environment for it to live in. The best way to do that is getting a rat cage that is spacious and fun to live in.
Just having the cage itself is not enough, you need to clean and wash it regularly to ensure that it does not start smelling. It might be tiring, but taking care of your pet can be the most joyful to do when you see them happy.
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