Rats are intelligent and social creatures, and you will find that they love to run around and interact with you, often sitting on your shoulder. Like almost any other pet, though, they do like a place to call their own, and that is why you need a cage.
Rats need a place to go and have some alone time, a place to sleep, and a place to eat. While socializing with your rat and giving it exercise are essential, a great cage will do wonders for your pet.
There are so many rat cages out there that it can be hard to know what to look for. Fortunately, we have done the heavy lifting for you and found some of the best rat cages out there. Stay around after our reviews for our expert buying guide, and find out what to look for.
1
Summary:
This cage looks amazing. It is amazing too. If you opt for the two-story option, which is recommended for multiple rats, then you are getting a lot of space for your pets without the cage taking up a lot of floor space. The cages stack upwards to save space. We also like the look of the cage. The wires are strong and sturdy, giving the option to climb the inside of the cage without the rats being able to escape, and there are some nice shallow ramps which will allow your rats to traverse the levels.
The four locking caster wheels make it easy to move the cage. When it is time to clean, you can move the cage to get to the floor underneath. The large double doors give you ample room to get in and clean the cage, while the removable shelves allow additional accessibility, allowing you to remove the mess in bulk.
The shelves are large enough for your rat to play on and are leak proof so spills will not move from one level to the next. The ramps between the shelves and floor are shallow enough that the joints on your rat will not be stressed when they are running up and down.
This is a large cage which your rat will love. It does not take up too much room, and it is extremely easy to clean.
Key Features |
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35” x 24” x 63” |
1/2” wire spacing |
Wide Shelves |
Leak-proof pans |
Stackable |
Locking caster wheels |
Ramps |
Pros |
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Easy to clean |
Can be moved around the room |
Shelves are adjustable |
Can be used for multiple rats |
Lots of room to play |
Cons |
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Trays could have higher walls |
Can be tricky to assemble |
Why we like it
"There are a lot of places for your rat to run around in, climb, and get exercise. If you cannot be home a lot to let your rat run around, then this is a great backup option."
2
Summary:
This is a wonderful cage for playful and energetic rats. There are four levels to play on: two main levels and two shelves. There are ramps which connect all four levels, and they can be easily traversed by your rat. The wire bars are also spaced close together so that your rat cannot escape but can still climb. The cage is also big enough for multiple rats. If your rats need to run around, then this could be the perfect cage.
No cage is perfect, however, and this one could benefit from a couple of slight changes. The floor is wire mesh, but that is easily counteracted with some soft bedding or hay. The doors on the front only open on one side which means you have to reach through to the other side when cleaning. This is not too big of a deal as the cage is still easy to clean.
The doors are big, so you still have a lot of access to the cage, and the wire mesh in the floor does mean that it is easier to clean, as debris will fall through to the level below and be caught in the removable tray at the bottom of the cage, which is easily removed for cleaning.
We like the accessories you get with the cage, along with the plastic platforms, ramps, and grille. You also get a cute little hammock for your rat to laze around in.
Key Features |
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31” x 20” x 54” |
Space-saving shelf |
Climbable bars |
Escape-proof doors |
Can be used for multiple rats |
Pros |
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Accessories included |
Great for active rats |
Can be used for other pets too |
Shallow ramps protect joints |
Can be easily moved |
Cons |
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Cage can be loud when rats are climbing and jumping |
Wire bottom |
Why we like it
"This is the perfect cage for active rats. The cage is large and has multiple levels. Your rats will be able to run between levels, climb around on the inside of the cage, and relax in the hammock when they tire themselves out."
3
Summary:
We love the finish of this cage. When it comes to cages for your pets, we are all about the functionality, but the cage is stylish and elegant too. It has a sepia-like finish, giving the cage an antique look which other cages do not have. It is very functional, and your rat will love it but you will love it too, and it will look amazing in any room.
This is a great cage for a pet rat. The bars on the cage are small enough to keep your rat inside while being spaced far enough apart to let your rat climb and enjoy some exercise on the inside. The metal ramps leading from one level to another are solid and shallow. There is also a wind-bell lock on the door which makes it hard for any rats to escape.
Your pets will love to run around here and feel protected.
Key Features |
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31” x 20” x 40” |
Rolling casters |
Multiple levels |
Escape-proof |
Removable litter tray |
Pros |
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Great for climbing |
Easy to clean |
Removable litter tray |
Lockable casters |
Stackable |
Cons |
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Wire floors |
Can be hard to assemble |
Why we like it
"This cage not only looks stylish and elegant, but it is also functional and sturdy. The cage will last you for a long time and your rats will love to play inside of it"
4
Summary:
This is a great starter cage for your pet rat. It has everything your rat needs to live a happy and healthy life. The bars of the cage are spaced so that your rat can climb around inside, and there are four distinct levels for your rat to run between. We like the design of the ramps. Instead of having straight ramps, they curve up and down. Your rat will find pleasure running up and down them.
The deep base helps to collect litter, and it will not spill over the edge. When it comes time to clean the cage, you can unclip the top from the base and clean out the litter tray, and anything else, with ease. The shelves and ramps are included, and you also get the food bowl too.
Key Features |
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30” x 18” x 30” |
1/2” wire spacing |
Chew-proof locks |
Multiple levels for play |
Deep base |
Multiple levels |
Pros |
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Easy to assemble |
Easy to clean |
Light and small |
Affordable |
Cons |
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Smaller than other cages |
Why we like it
"We love the multi-level design, and there is enough space inside for your rat to run around in. The cage is easy to assemble and disassemble, making cleaning a breeze."
5
Summary:
With a name like Rat Manor, you know that you are getting a fancy place for your pet to live. There are five separate levels with ladders between them so that your rat can run up and down the cage. The bars on the side of the cage are also spaced far enough apart to let you rat climb the inside.
A great cage with a lot of space.
Key Features |
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Tall cage |
Multi-level |
Ladders between levels |
Chew-proof wires |
Deep metal base |
Lots of space |
Pros |
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Easy to assemble |
Easy to clean |
Heavy-duty construction |
Toys can be added |
Affordable |
Cons |
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Wires can hurt their feet |
Can be hard to attach ramps |
Why we like it
"This is a great cage for small spaces. It does not take up too much floor space but still has a lot of room for your rat due to how tall it is. It is a no-nonsense cage which is easy to clean and gives your rat what they need."
Buying a rat cage is a relatively easy proposition, and there is not a lot to think about other than a safe environment for your furry little friend. With a little information, you can buy the perfect cage for your rat without having to spend a lot of money.
There are different sized cages, with multiple levels, and the right cage is the one which your rat is comfortable in. We would not recommend one type of rat cage over another, but we would recommend the material which it is made from.
Rats like to climb, and having metal wires for them to do so will let them get exercise even when they are in their cages. The wire cages offer good ventilation and are sturdier and more durable than other materials.
Look for wires which are not too far apart, so that your rat cannot escape, and wires which have powder coating, so that they do not rust.
Rat cages vary in price, and a lot of that is tied to the size of the cage. You can expect to spend as little as $50 for a cheap cage made from plastic, while the multi-level metal cages can cost up to $200.
We recommend that you have a budget in mind and stick to it as much as you can. Rat cages can be affordable if you take the time to shop around, but you also get what you pay for. Be prepared to spend a little more money to get a high-quality cage, and never worry about having to fix or replace that cage. A little more money up front will save you in the long run.
Rats are smart and energetic animals, so you should try and set up your cage with this in mind. When looking for a cage, one with multiple levels will give your rat some exercise. You should also think about outfitting your cage with toys.
Rats love hammocks and hideouts (don’t we all?). They also love to chew, so throw some chew toys in there too. Throwing in old tubes and boxes will give them something to chew on and something to hide in.
As long as they have the space to run around in, you cannot have too many toys.