It can seem like quite a challenge choosing a great rat cage for your rodent pals, but by taking a few important factors into consideration you can get the ideal home to keep your rats happy

There are so many pet cages I have seen that I would love to buy for my pet rats. They look spacious and luxurious, but there is one problem, many of these cages are created for larger pets like chinchillas or even rabbits. This means that my cheeky rats could squeeze through the bars. So those lovely cages may not be suitable for your rat, unless he/she is rather big.

Amazingly an adult rat has the ability to squeeze himself through a space of just half an inch.You can see from this example that pet cages designed for ferrets or chinchillas are often unsuitable for pet rats, unless the rats are very large.

Happily pet cages designed for smaller pets are readily available.You should try to find the biggest cage possible, whilst still taking into consideration the space between the bars. You want your pet rats to have plenty of room to have fun. Although cheaper, a pet cage made for mice, hamsters or even gerbils is not the best choice for rats. Rats need a lot of room to move and unless the hamster cage is huge it just won’t work.

You will want to consider your rat’s individual needs when choosing a rat cage. Whilst a multi-level rat cage looks great, it is not suitable for elderly or disabled rats, who would be much better off in a single level home.Young rats love to explore multiple levels of their cage. I love watching young rats investigate their cage, climbing the wires and using the roof as monkey bars. It really is a pleasure to see them having such a great time.

It is essential to regularly clean out your pet rats, so be sure to choose a cage where you can easily access every corner for ease of cleaning.

Ventilation is very important, as rats can be prone to respiratory diseases.You should avoid keeping your pet rats in a tank, as the air flow will not be adequate.

Rats love to snuggle, so make sure there are places in your new rat cage to hang a fleecy hammock. You will also need to have space for food, water and toys.

Cost is also something that many of us need to consider. Not to worry, there are some wonderful cages available that are really not very expensive at all and will still make a great home for your pets.

People often assume that because rats are quite small, they are also cheap. Yes they are cheaper then some pets, but you must consider the costs of a nice cage, food, bedding and maybe vet bills.

Even though there may be a lot to consider when picking out your new rat cage it is really worth it when you see how happy your pets are in their new home. It is great fun watching them jump around and rearrange their bedding and toys exactly how they want it.Remember just because you have a great rat cage, that doesn’t mean you can forget about your rats.

It is essential to give your rats time outside of the cage for at least an hour daily, so that they can play with you.Handle them, cuddle them and have fun. By replacing old toys for new and giving your rats new bedding and comfy hammocks you will give them new things to check out. Your rats will love exploring their newly arranged furniture.