Here are reviews for cages I've used. Each product will recieve one of four awards: the golden rat (great), the silver rat (good), the bronze rat (average/unimpressive), and the wooden rat (bad). (Click here for other product reviews.)
    
 Pluses: Worked great for the purposes I used it for (a hospital tank for sick rats, and a home for a single elderly rat that got a lot of freerange hours). It was cheap ($9 at WalMart), easy to clean and sanitize, lets me see everything inside clearly, keeps bedding from being kicked out, and holds heat well with no drafts (very inportant for a hospital cage). Aquariums are heavy and solid, which provide a barrier against curious cats and dogs. Minuses: Easily cracked. Lids can be hard to find/expensive. Too small for long-term housing, even for a single rat. Doesn't provide good ventilation or climbing opportunities. Tips: You can buy or make a wire cage topper for an aquarium, which will add space and make it a suitable permanent cage. Where to get it: WalMart or other department stores. Most pet stores (pet stores will jack up the price, though).
 Pluses: All the advantages of a ten gallon (but not so cheap/easy-to-find) but big enough for permanent housing for a couple rats or a nursery cage for a litter. Minuses: Lids can be hard to find/expensive. Doesn't provide good ventilation or climbing opportunities. Tips: You can buy or make a wire cage topper for an aquarium, which will add space and make it "more fun" for your rats. Where to get it: Some pet stores/warehouses.
 Pluses: Very large. (Dimensions without stand are 32"L x 20"W x 58"H) Easily assembled and collapsible. Attractive. Movable shelves and lots of room for customization. Minuses: Wide bar spacing can allow many rats to escape. I could only keep adult males (10 weeks and over) in it. Solid shelves got a lot of urine puddles and piles of droppings--even when they were as litter-trained as I could get them. The shelves had to be cleaned every day or they got very gross. Plastic connectors (used to hold the cage together) got chewed up a lot. Tips: You can use the solid shelves to section the cage off and make two cages. Try removing some shelves and adding hammocks instead to help lessen puddle problems. Rats will choose one or two "potty shelves" that will need cleaned more often than others. Where to get it: Some pet stores/warehouses. Online at
 Pluses: Good size for a couple of rats. (Dimensions are 26"L x 14"W x 14"H) Easily assembled and collapsible. Attractive. Shelf can be removed or you can buy different shelves. Top flips open. Bar spacing is safe for even young rats. (I use mine as spare cages for new rats and youngsters.) Tips: You can buy two cages to put together making a tall cage (actually, a taller version of this cage is sold). The ramp is pretty useless and takes up space, so leave it out. Minuses: Solid plastic shelf needs cleaned often. Cage is more expensive than similar cages the same size. Spacing doesn't allow for fingers or large treats. Plastic connectors (used to hold the cage together) got chewed up a lot. Where to get it: Some pet stores/warehouses. Several online stores used to carry them, but I haven't seen them listed recently.
 Pluses: Perfect size for most households (2 to 5 rats). (Dimensions are 30"L x 18"W x 18"H) Collapsible and shipped assembled (just unfold). PVC coating makes it attractive, and the shelf is soft on rats' feet. Good price for the quality and size. Wire spacing (1" x 1") allows for interaction through the bars and is safe for rats 4 weeks and older. Minuses: None really... It takes up more desk/floor space than a vertical cage. Some Martin's cages are a pain to assemble, but this one is assembled already and just needs unfolded. Tips: This cage is essentially identical to Martin's "Ferret Bungalow" but is cheaper and collapsible, so don't waste your money on the Bungalow. Where to get it: Martin's Cages
 Pluses: Huge cage with full shelves, so lots of room. (Dimensions are 30"L x 24"W x 48"H) PVC coating makes it attractive and easy to clean, and the shelves are soft on rats' feet. Good price for the quality and size. Wire spacing (1" x 1") allows for interaction through the bars and is safe for rats 4 weeks and older. Big doors allow for large toys, wheels, etc. to be put in the cage. Minuses: Hard to fit through smaller hallways. Comes broken down and can be a pain to assemble. The plastic pan is not as deep as most others, so you end up with a lot of kicked out food and litter around the cage. Tips: Try using plastic cable ties rather than the included C-rings to assemble. That way assembly is easier, and the cable ties can be cut off, making the cage easier to transport. Use heavy litter (like Cell-Sorb or Yesterday's News) and/or put a litter guard around the bottom of the cage. -- Buy the PVC-coated cage, not galvanized! It is far more durable and easy to clean. Where to get it: Martin's Cages
 Pluses: Huge cage, but thin enough to fit easily through doors and hallways. (Dimensions are 30"L x 18"W x 48"H) PVC coating makes it attractive and easy to clean, and the shelves are soft on rats' feet. Good price for the quality and size. Wire spacing (1" x 1") allows for interaction through the bars and is safe for rats 4 weeks and older. Big doors allow for large toys, wheels, etc. to be put in the cage. Smaller shelves are great for rats who like to rest with their heads hanging down and provide ample climbing room. Base is deep and is the same size as an underbed storage box (which is deeper and can be used as an alternate base). Minuses: Comes broken down and can be a pain to assemble. Tips: Try using plastic cable ties rather than the included C-rings to assemble. That way assembly is easier, and the cable ties can be cut off, making the cage easier to transport. Use heavy litter (like Cell-Sorb or Yesterday's News). -- Buy the PVC-coated cage, not galvanized! It is far more durable and easy to clean. Where to get it: Martin's Cages (I bought mine on Ebay and got a really good deal.)
 Pluses: Smallish, but not bad for a pair of rats. (Dimensions are 15"L x 22"W x 16"H) PVC coating makes it attractive and easy to clean, and the mesh floor is soft on rats' feet. Good price for the quality and size. Wire spacing (1" x 1") allows for interaction through the bars and is safe for rats 4 weeks and older. Size and handle makes it great for a carrier (I've even used mine as a cat carrier) or travel cage. Comes fully assembled. Minuses: The mesh floor, while not painful, causes a strong build-up of ammonia, and litter needs changed almost every day, unless the litter is high quality and stirred daily (even that lasts 1/4 as long or less as in a solid-floor cage). A lot of food is wasted by falling through the mesh, and larger food is kicked out the side of the cage. Tips: Try putting plasic canvas over part of the cage floor to prevent loss of food. Use only food bowls that connect to the cage, otherwise it will slide around or be knocked over. Hammocks and shredded paper or cloth bedding with help allow rats time off the mesh floor. Use only a high quality, good odor control litter (like Cell-Sorb) and change wet spots daily. Where to get it: Martin's Cages |
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