Where to buy a pet rat cage

Rats are fast becoming a must-have pet with their friendly nature, playful attitudes and cuddly features. However, like every pet, they need a place to live. Luckily, companies have started to recognise the potential of rodents as pets and have designed some rat specific cages. Below is a guide on where to buy them.

What to look for in a cage

Rats are very social animals and as such, should be let out of their cages to explore their surroundings for at least an hour a day. A lot of hamster cages have pictures of rats on them too, misleading customers into buying them under the assumption that they are suited to a rat. In reality, these small cages are not suited to house rats.

Rats need a certain amount of space in order to be happy. The recommended cage size per rat pair (rats like to live in pairs or more) is six sq ft.

Rattycorner.com has a rat cage calculator if buyers are unsure of how much space their pet rat cage needs to have.

Anything with the size of a rabbit cage or ferrets cages also suit the requirements if a rat specific cage cannot be found.

A well-ventilated cage is a must, and easy acces is a benefit for feeding and cleaning purposes. Wire hooded cages with plastic bottoms are the best type, as the rats can be seen clearly and the top is usually separated from the bottom with the adjustment of a few clips.

Where to buy a cage

Shops

The best place to buy a rat cage is a pet store, pets at home have a number of stores nationwide and stock a good variety of cages suited to rodents. Local pet stores are a good place to shop for cages as they are usually independently run and can offer discounts on rat supplies, when bought together with a cage as a bundle. They are also a great place to get information on rat care.

Online

Justcages.co.uk offer a good selection of animal cages including rat specific cages at varying prices.

Amazon.co.uk offers a huge range of rat cages ranging from cheap rat cages to more extravagant set-ups, all complete with customer reviews. Some come with free delivery and prices vary greatly.

Ebay.co.uk has a selection of new and used rat cages but be prepared to have to pick them up, as most sellers prefer not to post.

Before taking on rats as pets, it is advised that owners seek information on the best way of caring for them as domestic rats can become a big responsibility.