How to Build a Pet Rat Cage

Rats require a large cage for their well-being. While they may be pocket pets, they love to run, play, and store their food in special areas. By giving your rat space to stretch its legs and exercise, you'll keep your pet happy.

Things You'll Need

  • Six wire shelving racks
  • Two wire shelving racks, 1.5 feet square
  • U-shaped screws
  • Cable ties
  • Chain
  • Small bungee cord
  • Place mats
  • Plastic tub with lid
  • Scissors
  • Hardware cloth
  • Substrate
  • Wooden ladders
  • Hammocks
  • Cardboard boxes
  • Cotton wool
  • Fabric strips
  • Tissues
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Instructions

  1. Construct a Wire Pet Rat Cage

    • 1

      Cut 2 of your larger sections of wire shelving racks in half. These 2 sections will serve as the bases and lids.

    • 2

      Split your two 1 1/2-feet square wire racks in half. These are the climbing divisions inside the cage.

    • 3

      Connect the outer sections of the cage together with U-shaped screws.

    • 4

      Lash the door of your cage to one side of the cage with cable ties. These ties serve as a "hinge" and allow the door to swing open and closed.

    • 5

      Attach the lid and base with screws.

    • 6

      Hang the dividers with chain sections within the cage. Have the chain cut to size at your local hardware store and attach it to the top of the cage with "S" hooks.

    • 7

      Use a small bungee cord to hold the door of the cage closed.

    • 8

      Place store-bought place mats on top of your wire dividers. These can be easily removed for washing. Fix them to the wire dividers by punching a hole in the place mats and using a cable tie to attach them.

    Build a One-Level Cage

    • 9

      Use a plastic tub as the base of your cage. Find a clear one, intended for storage, that's roomy enough to have clearly designated areas for eating, sleeping, and exercising.

    • 10

      Remove the center of the tub's lid with scissors or cutters. Leave a "lip" around the edge of a few inches.

    • 11

      Stretch hardware cloth over the hole in the lid.

    • 12

      Secure the wire to the plastic lid with cable ties.

    • 13

      Add substrate (flooring material, such as wood chips or shavings) to the bottom of the tub cage.

    Decorate Your Pet Rat Cage

    • 14

      Consider using wooden parrot ladders on multi-level units. They can be attached using hooks, which makes them easy to clean.

    • 15

      Hang hammocks in all rat cages. You can purchase one from shops that stock small pet supplies.

    • 16

      Add cardboard boxes to your pet rat cage. Cut holes in them to allow your pet rat to climb in and out of the containers, and add soft material like cotton wool for bedding.

    • 17

      Consider adding a digging box to your rat cage. You can fill a small box with soft fabric strips and tissues so your pet can dig away.

    • 18

      Add or invent more toys for your pet to play with.