RatPalace.com - Pet Rat Care and Discussion

Thu Nov 24, 2005 3:56 am

I'm thinking of buying a bigger cage for my ratties, one like this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7725230255) or this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7726671986), but they are very tall. I would put plenty of ropes and hammocks and platforms in, but if they slipped and fell such a distance, it could be potentially bad for them!

If I get one of these cages I'd have to strategically place the hammocks and platforms so that if a rat fell from cery high up then a "safety net" in the form of a hammock or platform would not be far away from them. My last two girls would have a little slip occasionally in their Ferplast Jenny cage, and be clinging to a perch as I dashed across the room, stuck my hand in and just caught them as they plopped into my palm. I'd hate them to have a nasty fall.

Are really tall cages recommended or not?? I know rats like to climb but they have to be safe too!

Thu Nov 24, 2005 4:12 am

They'll be fine as long as you stagger the levels to make sure no one falls farther than about 8 inches. See the remodeling sticky for ideas, since a tall cage is rat heaven.

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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

Thu Nov 24, 2005 4:16 am

I have my levels placed so that they only fall about 10 inches, if they were to fall.

They spend most of there time in the top 2 levels, and I have never seen them fall, so unless they are older I do not think it is much of a concern.

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Rosie

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I miss you Tut, Goldy, and Raoul Angel rat

Thu Nov 24, 2005 10:02 am

My boys are in a cage that's over 5 feet tall, and I've never had a problem with anyone falling. Shrug

Rats are pretty nimble...most of them, anyway.

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--Brittany

"He who breaks a thing to find out what it is, has left the path of wisdom."

Thu Nov 24, 2005 8:41 pm

Even with hammocks and stuff, they seem to be able to either (a) stay in, or (b) catch themselves before they fall to badley

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Rosie

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I miss you Tut, Goldy, and Raoul Angel rat

Thu Nov 24, 2005 9:53 pm

Whether rats are older or not, and can catch themselves ro not, it's best to make/remodel a cage with safety and future geriatrics in mind.

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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

Fri Nov 25, 2005 7:05 am

My cage is over 5' tall as well, and is a bird avairy (VERY similar to the second link you gave) that came with no levels or anything. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/flyingduster/rats/PB160208.jpg (I redid the peaked roof to make it flat)

I have adapted it with levels, and added hammocks and jean-slings to break the biggest drops, as it is now the largest drop they can possibly take is 13" into the litter tray. They'd have to fall off in such a way as to not be able to grab the bars that are 4" away from the edge of the level to fall that far though, and if anyone degenerates to that being unsafe I'll add another hammock there...!

I don't have ramps or ladders, but will design and make some if any of my boys start to go weak in their back ends and need it. As it is they all get about brilliently and I love the cage!

FD

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Sun Nov 27, 2005 7:11 am

just be careful what you put them near

i have a superpet multifloor delux, its over 5 feet (5'6" on the stand, which i don't currently use) and one fine day my fred was using it as a climbling frame but decided he'd rather walk along my bookshelf instead. but he couldn;t turn round and he fell off the shelf before i could get to him. luckily, he was absolutly fine. doubtless to say he never did go near a bookshelf again

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PowerPets! much fun Mr. Green

Sun Nov 27, 2005 8:36 pm

a few of my Girls have gone over the edge in the RUUD while scuffling... they only land on the next level... lol I recon that Hammocks are a lovely thing to fall on!

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Merry and The Sunflower Thieves!

Lyric Bean, Emma Kaboodle, and Harley Quinn the rex head.

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