How to Set Up a Pet Rat Cage

Pet rats are fun pets to have. If properly set up and cared for, they can provide you with hours of fun and enjoyment. Setting up a rat's cage is not very hard. There are some essential things that your rat will need in the cage.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Choose a cage for your rat. Rats can grow rather large, so you will not want to get a small cage. The bigger the cage the better. Make sure the cage has a door and is an easy to clean cage. Most good rat cages have a removable top and bottom pan for easy cleaning.

2. Place wood shavings in the bottom pan of the cage. This will allow your rat to have something soft to walk on and something to use to make a nest or sleeping area. You only need enough shavings to cover the cage floor.

3. Add a water bottle and food bowls. The best type of water bottle for a rat is the type that hangs on the outside of the cage. You should put two or three different food bowls in the cage in different locations. This is especially necessary if you have more than one rat in the cage. Multiple bowls also allow you to put a variety of food inside the cage for your rats to enjoy.

4. Include a few hiding boxes. These can be homemade hiding boxes (for example, made from a tissue box) or a hiding box that you purchased at the pet store. Be sure that your hiding boxes are big enough for your rats to fit it. They will nibble and gnaw on the hiding box, so make sure they are either cardboard or wooden.

5. Throw in a few toys like hanging toys or small balls with bells in them (such as cat toys). Rats enjoy small toys that make a sound that they can move around.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean out your rat's cage once a week.
• Do not put too many things inside the cage. Your rats will need plenty of room to move around and stretch out.

[nadiaroses]

on 5/2/2009 Wood shavings made of Aspen are actually healthy for rats. It is the ones made of Cedar and Pine, which cause respiratory distress. But it is true that paper cat litter, hemp, and wood pulp such as Carefresh is the best for them and much softer than wood shavings.

[lilyratgirl]

on 7/18/2008 A cage for two rats should be at least Width: 70cm (27.5in) Depth: 44cm (17.3in) Height: 70cm (27.5in)
Wood shavings should never be used for small animals because of the phenols they release causing respiritory problems which rats especially are prone to. Paper cat litter, cardboard squares and hemp bedding are much more suitable, although newspaper is enjoyed by most rats.

Also please remember that the most important addition to a rat cage is a friend for your rat ;) or two :p