The Cage Manual
The Cage Manual
A composition of resources to help you make informed decisions about your rat's care!
There is plenty of misinformation out there about what is best for rats. It can be challenging to weed out what advice you should or shouldn't take. Well you've found a good place to get a breeder's opinion as well as some resources to give you other people's opinions.
What goes in a cage?
Let's go through how I decorate my cages.
Example: 3 critter nation units for 8 rats = 2.25 square feet per rat (The images below are a good representation of this example)
Base + Bedding: I put my cement mixing tub from Lowe's in the bottom unit. Then I fill the tub with around 4 inches of kiln-dried pine substrate.
Shelves + Levels: I put my metal shelves and trays in. I add a layer of pine bedding on the trays. Some levels will get plastic tubs filled with 1-3 inches of pine bedding.
Litter Boxes: I then add at least 1 litter box on each level.
Fall Breakers: If anything is taller than my hand I will add a fall breaker.
Hammocks + Hides: I aim to place hammocks over a litter box as rats tend to go to the bathroom immediately after waking up. I try to limit how much fleece I use, so they typically get around 3 fleece hammocks and around 5 plastic sleeping bowls with pine bedding in them. They will also get plastic ground hides.
Toys + Enrichment: I then add all my pieces that require hardware such as perches, feeders, enrichment, running wheels, etc.
The "Throw Aways": Finally I fill my base with things they can destroy. This includes cardboard boxes, fun enrichment chews, paper enrichment, etc.
Water + Food: I will add minimally 2 water bottles, but aim for 3 or more. I will add food to my feeders attached to the outside of the cage. I will also fill enrichment feeders.
Quick overview of do's and don'ts
YES! | NO :( | |
|---|---|---|
Cage Size | 0.5-2.5+ sq ft per rat (I aim for 2-2.25 sq ft) Spacious cages with room to run, climb, and explore | Less than 0.5 sq ft per rat Tiny cages that are overcrowded |
Cage Type | Metal wire cages Multiple levels Long cage > Tall cage | Wooden cages Bars greater than 0.5 inch without modifications Wire floors Low ventilation cages such as aquariums or hamster cages |
Base + Bedding | 3-4 inches of digging substrate Pine bedding Dig boxes Solid plastic bases Deep bases | Fleece tray liners Paper bedding Scented bedding Dusty bedding |
Helpful Links:
https://theratwiki.co.uk/cage-setup-and-accessories/setting-up-a-rat-cage/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2974587799532413/
https://creepingthingsrattery.weebly.com/recommended-cages.html
Helpful Images (of Grey's Rattery cages):
Helpful Videos:
