RatPalace.com - Pet Rat Care and Discussion

Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:44 pm

According to the cage calculator it will hold 6 rats....but is the bar spaceing of 7/8th of an inch too big? I looked at 7/8th on a tape measurer and it seems pretty close together. Anyway is this a good cage for rats?Shaz

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=11168&N=2007+113918

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Last edited by MerlinsMagic on Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:04 am; edited 1 time in total

Fri Feb 03, 2006 8:18 pm

Hrm... as for the bar spacing, I have 1 inch on the boys' cages, but it's also cross-hatched, which probably makes it less tempting. I would say it's fairly unlikely they would get out unless they can bend the wire, though.

As for the cage, it's probably not one I'd buy, but I think that's a personal preference thing. I don't like the idea of plastic shelves, for some reason. I was going to mention that I think there are too many shelves and it would inhibit the hanging of hammies, etc, but they're probably removeable, so that wouldn't matter.

If it's inexpensive and you think your guys would like it, I'd go for it. Oh, and make sure the doors are big enough to get large igloos, etc inside. I hate it when I have to remember to put it on the floor before I put the cage top back on. But maybe that's just me...

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Fri Feb 03, 2006 8:56 pm

I think those types are cages are really visually appealing, and I would probbly get one if it didnt strike a nerve with my biggest pet peeve. I cant stand having to struggle to lift a cage out of its base- I love cages with slide out pans with a fiery passion, and the only cages Ive found that I can get that in are Martins cages, because they will custom that on demand. I think its really pretty, but it would drive me nuts. I think what did it in for me was having a six foot Ruud cage to lift out of its base daily. I never want to lift a cage again. lol

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Megan and the Hyper Hoppers. Blueberry and Butterfly, Naked Evee, and Chii.

Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:04 pm

What about something like this....
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=14097&inm=1&N=2007+113918+2032

I've been looking at that one for my rat (soon to be rats, I hope). It's got 1" wide x 7" long wire spacing on it. I'm just not sure if it's something my girl could get out of or not. It'll hold 6 rats plus it's got tons of climbing area.

Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:25 pm

I was looking at that one too, but there is the point of the drop in pan there too....which is deffiantly a good point. Right now the three boys are in one with a drop in pan and its bulky and hard to lift for me. I will see if maybe petco or petsmart has something nice. Most of the rats here are in pairs or trios but I am thinking on doing some intros so a cage that will hold six or more deffiantly would help. I would go with a martins but they are a little pricey for the ones I was looking at and I really need cages now. Shaz

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Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:41 pm

Shaz, I have a cage a lot like that (my first home). I like it. You can move the selves anywhere you want, and you don't have to use the ramps. I put a bit of litter on each shelf. It's not heavy to lift. As for the spacing...my boys were 3 months and they couldn't get out (now they are even fatter! lol) so depending on what you were putting in there. Anyways, I am really happy with my cage.

http://www.nationalpetpharmacy.com/store/product_detail.asp?pf%5Fid=10079847&dept%5Fid=480&brand%5Fid=&root%5Fid=

like i said, i am happy with this cage and can move things around and use or not use the ramps. I don't think the one you showed has the same flexability, have a peek at this one and see what you think. I really like it, it's easy to clean, and I love that I can 'renovate it'. Just call me Debbie Travis! LMAO

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Loving Mum to my rattie boys, Zipper and Ty
Bestest Bud to Milly, the greatest horse ever

Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:55 pm

Petsmart and Petco don't really have any cages for rats. (I looked yesterday). They both have the one I linked to and Petsmart has one that is the tiniest bit smaller than the Martin R-695 for the same price with shipping from Martin. It looks almost identical too.

The Petco cage is 1/2" x 2" for the outside part of the cage. The shelfs are 1/2" x 1/2" (2), ladders are 1/4" x 1/4" (3) and there's a full lvl on top. It's a 30" x 15" x 30". Has 2 doors. Holds 4 rats

Martins R-695 is 30 X 18 x 36. This one will house 5 rats.

Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:21 pm

I don't think that full grown boys would be able to get out, but I personally hate cages with solid shelves. It is a pain to have to wipe down all the shelves, every day, and then you get chewers who destroy the shelves.

Other than that it seems pretty good, but I would still look around and see if you can find anything else.

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Rosie

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I miss you Tut, Goldy, and Raoul Angel rat

Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:38 pm

Older boys will be fine, usually in cages with up to 1 inch spacing... but younger, smaller and female rats are often small enough to escape. If the spacing is squares (like mine and Jill's) then escape is going to be much harder for all but the smallest of critters, but if there is a longer distance between the cross bars then that makes escape something you will need to consider.

I must say I generally prefer larger shelves - if that is nearly 3 foot tall, then I would much prefer having two floors that stretched the entire way across (apart from the gap from the level below) to make the best use of the available space. But that's just my personal feeling - lots of small shelves tend to make things a bit crowded but with less practical floor space to use.

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Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:03 am

Well here is the one from petsmart...it is an All Things Living cage It is supposed to be for ferrets but hte bar spaceing seems great...havent measured that yet.. The cage measurements are 30 1/4 inches long by 15 inches deep and 30 inches high. It has only one shelf though a full length middle floor and two ladders. It came with some free carefresh, a water bottle, a small animal quick tips guide, a hammock, and a bag of ferret food...which I cant use... But the cage was originaly $109.00 because of a few flaws that we found..we got 15 percent off. Oh yeah it has a slide out tray too! The calculator says 3 rats but this bugger is HUGE and with the full floor I think more could go in there...say five girls tops? Maybe...hopefully? So what do you think? Shaz

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Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:11 am

bar spaceing is almost an inch by almost 2inches

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Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:00 am

Ooh, I really really like that one. i would have boughten that one too. Having some small girl rats, the spacing would be an issue for me, but if I had boys that would be great. Good choice/buy!

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Megan and the Hyper Hoppers. Blueberry and Butterfly, Naked Evee, and Chii.

Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:04 am

Looks awesome!!! Cant wait to see pics of them enjoying their new cage!
I hope you will post pics!

I am curious....do you have a "Rat Room"?
I want a Rat Room so bad!

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~~Dawn~~

Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:03 am

I work at PetSmart, and know that cage. I really believe some girl rats could get out of that if they really wanted. Maybe let one lady try it out? Just to be sure?

Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:13 am

my girls are 9 months old...Iris is the smallest out of all of them so I will see if I can coax her out of the cage. She is also my excape artist number two right next to Whiskey...Dawn that room is a spare bedroom that is my fish room...well was...So yea its my rat room and currently its a mess and very disorganised. The white cage on the floor behind this one is charlies old cage with no one in it yet. And the cage right next to this one is the one you donated to me. Haven and Jasmine are living in it right now. I want to intro Sage, Iris, Rose, and those two and hopefully they will live together in this new cage. Then Whiskey and my lil Nekkid Hope will take over your cage. Still undesided what to do with charlies cage....cept get a dwarf bun and move it into my bedroom...still dont know. Shaz

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Thu Feb 09, 2006 10:31 am

I did get a cage that was 7/8" x 2" and had to take it back due to my smallest rat slipping right threw the bars. She is 5 wks old. My 10wk old could slip threw them too if she wanted. Just thought I'd give you a heads up.

Rose

Fri Feb 10, 2006 2:22 am

I figured for the babies it wouldnt be good... I did say months.. So these are full grown girls. Going to see tonight if Iris can fit through. Shaz

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