RatPalace.com - Pet Rat Care and Discussion

Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:30 am

The cage I have has got wire for platforms, they currently have lino on them but it is getting on my nerves because they now pee only in one spot and I trickles down and runs down the wall Rant

My question is,

How wide is too wide? I don't want them to hurt their feet with that bumble foot thing ( whatever that is, I'm not sure)

The wire platforms have wire square that measure half an inch accross

Can I take the lino out?

By the way, I do mop up their puddles regularly and wash the lino with enzyme every couple of days. So it doesn't smell too bad

Tue Nov 04, 2003 6:44 am

Our rats are all in Martins (except for Bob's single-level) and Martins says the spacing on the ramps & balconies is one-half inch by one-half inch, so you should be OK if you remove the linolium.

BTW, there is a school of thought that, while wire ramps haven't been completly ruled out for rats, other factors may contribute to bumblefoot: diabetes is one thought, and cleanliness of the cage another, and genetic disposition is yet another thought.

All of our rats have been on ramps and balconies at one time or another, and we haven't had any problems (as I continue to knock on/ touch wood).

Abita just reminded me: If you have older rats who drag their feet, or really small young rats, you might want to keep the lino in place so they won't get their feet caught in the wire spacing.

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Victor, Bandit, and Sparrow's Sweeties: Neiko & Roo. Sparrow's Boys: Oliver, Arthur, and Rabskuttle. The fRAT Boys: Jim, Jack, and George.
Good night, Witter, Kono, Rat, Olie, Metro, Calle, Mr. Ratburn, Arwen, Leather, Ohana, Zoe, Misto, and Kanga.

Wed Nov 05, 2003 12:30 am

How small is small? They are eight months old and about fifteen weeks or more, They weigh around 300 grams ish. Are by no means fat but not boney As we are running our house as an extention to my boyfriends parents animal rescue centre we clean their cages out probably more than most.( about three times a week partially plus a deep clean every five days.) Otherwise, between the dogs, cats, house rabbits, hares, parrets and squirrels it would begin to stick!!!!

(by the way, I didn't list all the animals, there is WAY more than that!!!!!)

Thu Nov 06, 2003 9:02 pm

Martin cages have (for the most part) the right space between the wires but it depends on the size of the rats. For big rats, about any size will do but for the little guys, now THAT'S a different story Rolling Eyes

Little trouble makers. Martin's cages are highly recomended and the size of the bars generally tend to be in the right range for rats! Welcome and good luck with your new girls!

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Emily, Pyro (the rat who thinks he's a dog), and Liberty (the dog who thinks he'd like to eat the rat)

Fri Nov 07, 2003 2:53 am

I also would go with 1/2 inch spacing. 1" is too much for rats under 3 or 4 months old, particularly females. Good luck with your cage building...and welcome aboard!

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Christy
RP Admin
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Frodo, Zorro, Erzulie, Maeve, Clara, Molly & Emily

Thu Nov 13, 2003 10:04 am

The Rat grotto is on hold. I do want to say that I talked to my boss and I got my raise!

Based on my hours, I will have more than enough dough to pony up for a nice Martin's.........A Rat Grotto is still in the works but it is too damn cold to make one now.......I will build one next spring and attach the martins to it!!

Does this look good in powder coated for 3 Ratties???

http://www.martinscages.com/images/full/r-690.jpg

I am also starting a Rattie health fund in my safe, for those unexpected Vet bills......

Thu Nov 13, 2003 4:55 pm

IMO that will be fine for three rats, especially if you plan to attach it to your future project! I'd like to offer two pieces of advice about Martin's:

First, pony up the extra 50 cents or a buck for an extra handle. It will come with one removeable handle; with two, you can move the cage around easier for cleaning (stick one on each side and you can pick up the cage a lot easier). Abita and I also use the handles to hold the doors open.

Second, put it together with zip ties. The c-rings and pliers they give you are a pain to use; also, they're almost impossible to remove should you ever need to disassemble the cage. Zip ties can be cut off and they're easier to install.

I'm sure your rats will *love* their new cage!

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Victor, Bandit, and Sparrow's Sweeties: Neiko & Roo. Sparrow's Boys: Oliver, Arthur, and Rabskuttle. The fRAT Boys: Jim, Jack, and George.
Good night, Witter, Kono, Rat, Olie, Metro, Calle, Mr. Ratburn, Arwen, Leather, Ohana, Zoe, Misto, and Kanga.

Thu Nov 13, 2003 7:40 pm

It costs $10.00 extra to get a flip top lid, but its very handy.

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-Cori-

Mon Nov 24, 2003 2:27 am

Would this chinchilla cage work for 2 rats (with shelf expasions and ramp modifications, of course). I'm not sure about the bar spacing with females, but from pics you foks have shared it looks like many of you have larger than 1/2" spacing. Thanks.

- White epoxy painted wire
- 25" L x 16" W x 27" H
- Spacing between wires: 0.700" (17.78 mm)
- Wire Size: 0.104" (2.64 mm)

Mon Nov 24, 2003 3:03 pm

I have two of those cages! The cage calculator says it would be suitable for three rats, so it chould be big enough for two. I have some bigger cages now, so I use these as hospital cages or as cages for rats to live in until they are introduced to the "pack". But I have kept two boys in one and they were quite happy. I was a bit worried about the spacing for baby rats, so I covered one of them with wire mesh until the babies got a bit bigger.

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Linda and the RMDs

Many have forgotten this truth but you must not forget it. We remain responsible forever, for what we have tamed.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

Fri Nov 28, 2003 2:49 am

well the girls "grotto" cage is starting get full of pee and it wont stop smelling so we've given into a martins cage. we're gonna be getting a 695 powder coated and i have a couple of questions
1. how many rats can fit in there
2. is the wire spacing ok for little ones so they can't get through
3. is the spacing ok for ratty feet
4. can the powder coated come off
5. can it rust

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Brittany

~the~girls~
Cocoa~Baby~Daisy~Oreo
"People who dont like rats......limit their happiness"

Fri Nov 28, 2003 5:28 am

1) Cage calculators say about 5 and a half rats.

2) Yes.
3) Yes.
4) Yes, it can. I suppose it all depends, though. The coating is coming off on my boy's cage in the places that they pee the most. They poop in the litter pan, but they're too lazy to pee in it. Rolling Eyes

As for the girls cage, as far as I can tell, the only places it's coming off is the places that Ruby chews the most.
5) I have no idea. I suppose maybe it could in places that coating came off of it? I used a galvanized cage for my old guinea pig for about 4 years, and it was already about 5 years old, and it never rusted. So, dunno.

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Winter and the ratties: Argos, Prometheus, Apollo, Orion, Napoleon, Montecore, Cornelius, Magnus, Dozer, Jesus, Ferdinand, Harlequin, Cambria, Ambellina, Raven, Hedwig, Momo, and Suzie.

Last edited by Maypah on Fri Nov 28, 2003 5:29 am; edited 1 time in total

Fri Nov 28, 2003 5:42 am

I've had up to 8 females in mine and 7 males in another with no problems. I think a lot of that depends on how well the ratties living together get along. Some groups I wouldn't put more than 3 in just because of one spiteful rat!

Bar spacing will be fine for wee ones and for feet - you can cover the floors if you wish but I don't and have no problems.

I've had my cages for going on 3 years now and the only place the coating is coming off is where the doors latch. No rust yet. They really are great cages.

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Christy
RP Admin
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Frodo, Zorro, Erzulie, Maeve, Clara, Molly & Emily

Fri Nov 28, 2003 5:44 am

	Christy wrote:
	I've had up to 8 females in mine and 7 males in another with no problems. I think a lot of that depends on how well the ratties living together get along. Some groups I wouldn't put more than 3 in just because of one spiteful rat!

True. I also feel it might depend on the size of the rats.

I've had up to 7 males in the boy cage, and 6 females in the girl cage. However, all of my females are tiny, so I could probably fit 8 comfortably. The only reason I don't is because Siggy's a brat.

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Winter and the ratties: Argos, Prometheus, Apollo, Orion, Napoleon, Montecore, Cornelius, Magnus, Dozer, Jesus, Ferdinand, Harlequin, Cambria, Ambellina, Raven, Hedwig, Momo, and Suzie.

Thu Jan 15, 2004 3:18 am

I was looking at Winter's R-685 and wondering how well it would be for my Twoie. She's not quite ready to go back to ramps in the big cage yet, but I do wonder if this cage ramps would be easier for her to handle. I could move Minnie in with her. Though she may be fine to go in the big cage in a few weeks. We're still taking baby steps at this point. But I just wanted some feedback on that cage for Toots.

As an update, she is doing well. She gets to go off her baytril and naxcel injections on Friday so she'll be very happy! (Although she quite likes the baytril since it gets mixed in cool whip and she thinks it's a treat). She is learning how to get around with her head tilt, though when she gets too excited she does about 500 circles first. Once she calms down she can almost go where she wants to on her first try. :*) She's become a snuggly little lap rat and still tires very easily. She's currently living in a 10 gallon aquarium and I'm hoping to get her moved out of the cage soon.

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Christy
RP Admin
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Frodo, Zorro, Erzulie, Maeve, Clara, Molly & Emily

Thu Jan 15, 2004 3:20 pm

i, too, have the 685 and love it. (of course you can have a flip top added to any cage for 10 bucks more, but i love this cage all the same) my squishy mocha now has a little hind leg paralysis and sometimes rolls of the ramp but i redesigned the cage when i first got it and now i am so glad because she doesn't roll very far. this is an outline of my modifications, and i have since added a rat nest ball and some more hammocks, plus a wheel for the ever active gemma.

now i don't know why i waited so long to get this cage.

this is what i had before.

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Visit ACE, MELANIE, BONBON, and the rest of my crew in Rat Tails

Thu Jan 15, 2004 6:37 pm

Christy, I'm going to echo the others and say it's absolutely wonderful.

The ramps are wider, and not steep at all. I'm sure Twoie would probably be able to make it safely to the top, and even not, it's very large. She would have a ton of space even if she wanted to just stay on the bottom.

I love it, my boys loves it more!

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Winter and the ratties: Argos, Prometheus, Apollo, Orion, Napoleon, Montecore, Cornelius, Magnus, Dozer, Jesus, Ferdinand, Harlequin, Cambria, Ambellina, Raven, Hedwig, Momo, and Suzie.

Tue Mar 09, 2004 1:44 am

Well I'm thinking of bidding on a cage that's on ebay (it's HUGE). The measurements of the bars are 7/8" by 4 7/8" . The cage I have now for my 3 girls is 7/8" by 3 7/8". Will the extra inch horizontally matter? I wouldn't think so, but I just wanted to check before I start bidding.

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In memory of Riley, the bestest, most squishiest ratty anyone could ever hope for

Tue Mar 09, 2004 2:51 am

As long as the difference is in length and not height I don't think it will make that huge of a difference. Though I guess you won't truely know until you try it. Confused

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Christy
RP Admin
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Frodo, Zorro, Erzulie, Maeve, Clara, Molly & Emily

Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:22 pm

I need opinions! I made the decision tonight that I'm getting rid of all the small hamster size cages I have about that I've used in the past for quarantining little ones. They're not that well made, they have no room for hammocks...blech. I have one semi-large one that will be staying (it's good for transporting pairs of adult boys), as well as the bigger superpet cages some of the boys live in, but I'm going to replace these smaller cages with Martins. I want them large enough that I can use them for adult rescues (VITAL for the lab rat rescue in April/May), but I also want them big enough that say, a group of 4 little boys or girls could live in until intros are all done.
I know I'm getting 2 (as I need one for boys and one for girls with the rescues that are coming Friday), but I don't know what the best choice would be. Right now, the decision is between the R680, the R685, and the R690. The 680 and 690 are about the same price/size and are well within my price range, however I like the pan style and layout of the 685 a lot more. I currently have a Ruud (with another on the way) and LOVE it, so if the 685 is worth it, I don't mind paying the slightly higher price. I just want to know...what experiences have you guys had with these 3 cage styles? Do you have any preference?
The 685s would be easy to stack as well, as the new kids will be quarantined together (they're siblings from the same rescue). The 4 little boys who are to live in the Ruud will be moving in with to the girlies' old Marchiro, as they aren't under quarantine, just LITTLE

I'm going to be ordering these tomorrow night or Thursday (I do have temp. accomodations for them...just not good for 2-3 weeks!), so any help would be appreciated

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Rats~Janine, Madeleine, Cooper, Basil, Dolly, Kitty, Ilori, Theo, Elliot, Vladimir, Freya, Devi, Yoshimi, Nigel, Rosshalde, Faust, Tolkien, Caleb, Mira, Ivy, Nemo, Willow, Nikolas, Lucian & Linus
Mice~Molly, James & Will
Beardie~Cleo

Wed Mar 17, 2004 10:08 pm

Jess may I make a suggestion? The R-685 is by far the best cage I've ever bought. You can also have them customize it with anything else you feel you need. The reason I love this cage so much is it is great for babies but even better for aging, elderly rats. The gentle sloped ramps and small landing have saved so many of my old folks from crashing to the bottom. I also hang two hammocks under the level so they can grab on if they topple, or climb in with a very close landing to step off to when they want to get out. It is versatile, yes a little more expensive, but it is not something you will ever regret buying. Just the look in the old rats eyes when they hit that middle landing instead of sliding down when their legs don't work, is payment enough. I ate Ramen noodles for about three months straight so I could get two of them. It was worth it(just put tabasco on the noodles for a variety!) LOL

The flip top lid is the best for cleaning, saying goodmorning, giving and receiving free kisses, and it just rocks all the way around. I think the R-690 is too tall and skinny for the elderly rats(I plan for the future) and the fatties have a hard time moving around in it. I like the weight of them though. The R-685 is really easy to lift as well...and I clean 14 cages a day. Mr. Green

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~~Wiley's(& Simon's ) Mom & The Lil Rattie Crew
Don't count how many breaths you take
But what takes your breath away~
~Sir Wiley William Templeton
2/29/00-3/5/03 My light, my love forever~
Gentleman Jack 1/1/01-4/22/03
Quiet courage, my heart~

Thu Mar 18, 2004 6:50 am

I also like the 685. When I decided to convert the boys 695 into a RUDD I ordered the 85 instead of the 80 and I am glad I did!

Ace really likes to hang out on the small ledge thing that is inbetween the two ladders. I really like the flip top(comes in really handy when adding hammocks and cleaning) I also like that there is a full top level.

If I were you, I would choose the 685. wink

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Nemo, my best rattie buddie ever.. I miss you and will never, ever forget you my big squishy boy. I love you!

Thu Mar 18, 2004 6:57 am

I too am going to have to suggest an R-685. I absolutely ADORE mine.

The flip top lid makes access for... everything so easy. Of course you can customize any cage, and for a few extra bucks, add on a flip top, but it's just easier, I suppose, to not have to deal with the contacting to customize. In addition, they're big enough for what you want to do with them. And, like WM said, the ramps are much less steep then even the 695's, which aren't really that steep.

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Winter and the ratties: Argos, Prometheus, Apollo, Orion, Napoleon, Montecore, Cornelius, Magnus, Dozer, Jesus, Ferdinand, Harlequin, Cambria, Ambellina, Raven, Hedwig, Momo, and Suzie.

Thu Mar 18, 2004 8:18 am

A Perspective of Cage Size from RMCA (Everyone needs to read this article!)

Fancy Rats UK Cage Calculator

Rats R Us UK Cage Calculator

Both the Rats UK and the Rats R Us calculators will give measurements in inches or centimeters, but the Rats R Us site takes both floor and shelf space into account and so may be a better calculator. The Perspective article in the first link will also give you a greater understanding of what cage size is really about.

Please remember that cage calculators often give the minimum amount of cage space needed for happy, healthy critters, and that one can never go wrong in choosing a larger over a smaller cage.

These were the only actively working cage calculators I was able to find that offer good advice on cage sizing and future planning. If anyone finds other such sites that aren't just minimum cage sizes from lab specs, please post them here. Thanks!

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Kate & the M.O.U.S.
If you saw a man drowning and you could either save him or photograph the event ... what kind of film would you use?
~ Anonymous

Last edited by Kate on Thu May 12, 2005 11:13 pm; edited 2 times in total

Fri Mar 19, 2004 1:50 am

Hi everybody. I figured I'll continue in this post since it's on the same topic. I'm getting two ratties soon (I hope) and I was thinking about getting either R-685 or R-695.
My concern with R-695 is that I'll have harder time dragging it to the bathroom and cleaning it. My concern with R-685 is that I might get three ratties instead of two (boys). Will three ratty boys be comfy in R-685? I plan to have big Wodent wheel in there for them too (the biggest one).
So please give opinions and advice!!