Pet Rat Homemade Cage

Pet rats are popular pets in some circles and need cages and care like any other pet rodent, such as a gerbil, ferret or mouse. While you can buy rat cages in pet stores, you can also make them yourself with the right materials.

  1. Size of Cage

    • Most rat cages should be a particular size so the rats have enough room to move around. For most pet rats, which start off small and gradually get bigger, a cage of about 3 by 2 feet and about 3 feet high should be more then enough room to live comfortably. The cage's base should be made out of a plastic tub, and the cage itself should be made out of metal grate with openings too small for the rat to actually climb through. Chicken wire could work for this, though there is concern that the rat could chew through the chicken wire, so thicker pieces of metal grate are probably better.

    Multiple Levels

    • Rats love to run around and have different places to hide and play. Within the rat cage itself, multiple levels can be set up for the rat to run from the ground to different areas within the cage, climbing on top of boards and different supports. Take a piece of balsa wood or aluminum cut to the length of the cage, and drill a hole in each end. With zip ties or metal wire, attach these materials to each side of the metal grate. This gives the cage even more surface area and allows your rat more places to sit, sleep and play.

    Using Existing Materials

    • Rat cages can really be made out of any material that can contain the rat and that your rat can't chew through. An old metal air conditioner that has been hollowed out could work, as long as there is a screen on the front or top which allows easy access to your pet (though you might have difficulty seeing him). An old metal trunk with screen attached out over the top can be a perfect homemade rat cage, with ample room for your pet rat to run around.