5 Best Rat Cages for Your Happy Pet (Review & Top Picks)

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If you’re thinking of upgrading your furry friend’s home, you’ll definitely want to check out my picks for the best rat cages!

I rounded up the top options and put them all into a handy-dandy buying guide just for you!

Start with a quick peek and a side-by-side comparison.

Then keep reading for all of the glorious details!

READ MORE: Why Rats Make Good Pets?

Rat Cage Top Picks at a Glance

If you see the value in these products and choose to purchase via my referral links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Midwest Deluxe Critter Nation – Lots of room to play
• Prevue Hendryx Black Feisty Ferret Cage – Can be used for other pets too
• Prevue Rat and Chinchilla Cage 495 Earthtone Dusted Rose – Great for climbing
• Kaytee My First Home 30 X 18 Multilevel Exotics – Easy to clean
• Petco Brand – You & Me Rat Manor Habitat – Easy to assemble

Don’t have time? Here is a quick comparison of our favorites!

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5 Best Rat Cages (Buying Guide)

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 [1].

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 [2].

There are so many rat cages out there that it can be hard to know what to look for. Fortunately, I’ve done the heavy lifting for you and found some of the best rat cages out there.

Stay around after my reviews for an expert buying guide, and find out what to look for.

#1 Midwest Deluxe Critter Nation

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.

I 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 that 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 leakproof 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 that your rat will love. It does not take up too much room, and it is extremely easy to clean.

Key Features

• 35” x 24” x 63”
• Leak-proof pans
• Wide Shelves
• Stackable
• 1/2” wire spacing
• Locking caster wheels
• Ramps

Benefits & Drawbacks of Midwest Deluxe Critter Nation

Benefits	Drawbacks
Easy to clean	Trays could have higher walls
Can be moved around the room	Can be tricky to assemble
Shelves are adjustable
Can be used for multiple rats
Lots of room to play

Why I 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 Prevue Hendryx Black Feisty Ferret Cage

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 that 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.

I 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

• 31” x 20” x 54”
• Space-saving shelf
• Climbable bars
• Escape-proof doors
• Can be used for multiple rats

Benefits & Drawbacks of Prevue Hendryx Black Feisty Ferret Cage

Benefits	Drawbacks
Accessories included	Cage can be loud when rats are climbing and jumping
Great for active rats	Wire bottom
Can be used for other pets too
Shallow ramps protect joints
Can be easily moved

Why I 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 Prevue Rat and Chinchilla Cage 495 Earthtone Dusted Rose

I love the finish of this one! When it comes to cages for your pets, I am all about functionality, but it’s nice to have a bit of style, too!

It has a sepia-like finish, giving the cage an antique look that 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

• 31” x 20” x 40”
• Rolling casters
• Multiple levels
• Escape-proof
• Removable litter tray

Benefits & Drawbacks of Prevue Rat and Chinchilla Cage 495 Earthtone Dusted Rose

Benefits	Drawbacks
Great for climbing	Wire floors
Easy to clean	Can be hard to assemble
Removable litter tray
Lockable casters
Stackable

Why I 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 Kaytee My First Home 30 X 18 Multilevel Exotics

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.

I 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

• 30” x 18” x 30”
• 1/2” wire spacing
• Chew-proof locks
• Multiple levels for play
• Deep base
• Multiple levels

Benefits & Drawbacks of Kaytee My First Home 30 X 18 Multilevel Exotics

Benefits	Drawbacks
Easy to assemble	Smaller than other cages
Easy to clean
Light and small
Affordable

Why I 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 Petco Brand – You & Me Rat Manor Habitat

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 your rat climb the inside.

The cage allows for additional rat toys so you can combine purchases for more interactive areas; perfect for your smart rat.

The deep metal base makes cleaning a breeze, and you can snap off the top and empty the deep metal base without any problems.

The heavy-duty wires are chew-proof and have a stain-resistant powder coating that is not toxic to your rat.

A great cage with a lot of space.

Key Features

• Tall cage
• Multi-level
• Chew-proof wires
• Ladders between levels
• Lots of space
• Deep metal base

Benefits & Drawbacks of You & Me Rat Manor Habitat

Benefits	Drawbacks
Easy to assemble	Wires can hurt their feet
Easy to clean	Can be hard to attach ramps
Heavy-duty construction
Toys can be added
Affordable

Why I 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 that is easy to clean and gives your rat what they need.

CHECK: When Do Rats Sleep?

Also, don’t forget to explore my article “Best Rat Bedding for Odor Control“. It’s a helpful guide for maintaining a fresh environment for your pet rats. Enjoy!

What to Look for When Buying a Rat Cage

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.

What Are the Types of Rat Cages?

There are different sized cages, with multiple levels, and the right cage is the one in which your rat is comfortable [3].

I would not recommend one type of rat cage over another, but I would recommend the material from which it is made.

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.

How Much Are Rat Cages?

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 upfront will save you in the long run.

How Do You Set Up a Rat Cage?

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.

Take a look at this video for an actual demo:

Final Recommendation

Try Midwest Deluxe Critter Nation!

What are your favorite best rat cages? Let us know in the comments below!

References

• 1. Vermaercke B, Cop E, Willems S, D’Hooge R, Op de Beeck HP. More complex brains are not always better: rats outperform humans in implicit category-based generalization by implementing a similarity-based strategy. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2021 Dec 7];21:1080–6. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/s13423-013-0579-9?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=commission_junction&CJEVENT=a8547307576e11ec83a59fd20a82b821&utm_campaign=3_nsn6445_brand_PID9069228&utm_content=de_textlink&?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_term=PID9069228
• 2. Owning a Pet Rat [Internet]. vca_corporate. 2021 [cited 2021 Dec 7]. Available from: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/owning-a-pet-rat
• 3. Pet Rat Care Sheet & Supplies | PetSmart [Internet]. Petsmart.com. 2021 [cited 2021 Dec 7]. Available from: https://www.petsmart.com/learning-center/small-pet-care/fancy-rat-care-guide/A0326.html#:~:text=What%20do%20fancy%20rats%20eat%3F%201%20Pellets%20should,access%20to%20fresh%2C%20clean%20water%20at%20all%20times.
• 4. Dale T. The Best Rat Cages for Your Pet Rodents [Internet]. Bob Vila. BobVila.com; 2020 [cited 2021 Dec 7]. Available from: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-rat-cage/.