Would this cage be okay for two rats?

Question

I know that this is kinda small, but we already have the tank, and it seems like a good idea. Do any of you rat owners have it (i know probably not)? I would like to know if two females would live in that comfortably. Would it allow space for toys and a home thing?

Thanks
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=17073&N=2007+2035

Why are the guinea pig cages pretty cheap, yet rat/ferret cages are up the wall expensive?

Answer 1

i personally wouldn't keep my girls in a tank/cage it doesn't look like theres enough room. plus having to clean that tank every few days would be a pain in the a$$!
that tank/cage deal doesn't look like theres enough room for a baby rat btw. rats like hammocks, wheels, and enough room to run around. i have a GP cage for 2 of my girls. it fits feeding dishes (i like the ferret dishes that screw on the side of the cage) a wheel, a level, hammock and a huge igloo. i made the levels myself out of an old laminated wire basket that i had. i covered the wire with a plastic place mat so that my girls feet will be safe from bumble foot too.
keep looking for a suitable cage, you want your new girls to be happy.
i have had luck with finding cages on craigslist. just make sure the bars are no more then 3/4 of an inch apart or your girls may go on an "adventure". another piece of advice, make sure that when you do get a cage that the levels DO come out so they can be washed. i currently have a cage where the levels don't come out. i'm going to have to take a pair of dykes to it (wire cutters) so that not only can i cover the wire with something firmer, also insure that cage cleaning will be faster in the future.
good luck.

Answer 2

I'm sorry YAY but this is not a suitable cage for rats at all.

Actually Martin's was the first company to come out with the "Cage Toppers" in order to extend the size of an aquarium to suit rats and mice. Other companies seem to be following suit, I see.

A cage needs to be at least 2 square feet of floor space per rat, and then think about the accessories that you will add for the rats' comfort. Also think about ALL the plastic in that cage just waiting to be chewed by the rats, The water bottle itself will have a hole chewed it before you can say "agouti rex" three times.

Aquariums have never been suitable accommodations for rats, and in spite of the cage top, the majority of rats still spend most of their time, ie. sleeping, on the aquarium floor. There is still the build up of ammonia in an aquarium to consider.

I couldn't even begin to tell you why GP cages are so much more inexpensive then rat and ferret cages.....unless it has something to do with rat-keepers and ferret-keepers expecting and purchasing so much more for their exotic pets, that manufacturers are complying to take advantage of us.

spazrats
"my life has gone to the rats"

Answer 3

I would say no. I don't think that would be big enough for 1 rat let alone 2. They make "rat cages." You can find them at most chain and some private pet stores. The bars are very close together so they can't escape. The one I had was about 3 1/2 foot tall and wide and about 2 1/2 foot deep. It had three levels. These are great because you can add all sorts of accesories, like hammocks and igloos, and there is still plenty of room for the rats to run and play. The cage I had was about $70 about 8 years ago. Well worth it in my opinion.

Answer 4

I havent had that exact cage for my rats, but I have had one similar made by the same company, and the problem I have with it is that the levels are made of plastic. If your rats are chewers they might chew up the ledges and the plastic could make them sick. Also, when cleaning the cage, you have to make sure to pull out the ledges and scrub them throughly, because if the rats potty, or drop food on it it just sits there because there is no bedding and nothing to make it fall through. And taking them out to scrum is easier said than done. I broke the clips on mine trying to get it out and in.

When I had my 2 male rats (now I just have one female) I took 2 three story cages (I can't find a picture of them, but they are roughly big enough for several hamsters) and on the 2nd "floor" I cut a hole in each and used wire to put them together, then covered the wire with fabric so it wouldnt hurt the rats. that gave them enough room to get away from each other if they so wanted (they each had their own hut in separate cages) or they could play between the two. It worked out well.

Answer 5

I would keep them out of aquariums all together. Even with the topper, there's little ventilation and tanks are heavy and akward to clean. I would suggest looking at bird cages. The bar spacing is small enough that rats can't squeeze out (that's the problem I have with most guinea pig and ferret cages). Bird cages come in lots of different shapes and sizes. Mine live in a Vision II cage with bird perches, bird hanging houses, and lots of shelves. It even has a "seed guard" which serves as a bedding guard, so they don't kick bedding out everywhere. They love it, and so do I!

http://www.arcatapet.com/item.cfm?cat=12553

Answer 6

A ten gallon tank with the topper is too small for two rats. I wouldn't even suggest one rat in that.

http://exoticpets.about.com/od/careofrats/tp/tpratcages.htm
That has a bunch of good suggestions on good rat cages.

Answer 7

Too small, rats need 2 cubic feet per rat. You can use the rat cage calculator to see if the cage you choose is large enough.

http://health.ratzrus.co.uk/cagecalc/

Answer 8

i read on a rat care site that you need at least 25 gallons per rat if you are going to use an aquarium. they make a better temporary cage than a permanent one.

Answer 9

If that is a 10 gallon, then no, it is too small. If it's a 20 gallon, with the topper, it might be Ok. The more room you can provide for these animals, the healthier they will be.

Answer 10

I've seen those at the pet store and they look pretty cool. I keep my girls in an actual cage to help with air circulation, so that topper would really help you in that sense. Another idea, which we'll be trying soon, is to make one of these: http://www.dapper.com.au/grotto.htm. They look fairly simple and cost-effective.