So, I went to PetCo and Petsmart today and found a good quality bird cage for much less than a ’small animal’ cage. My question is, if I take out the grate on the bottom and secure the easy-sliding side doors to the cage with wire so the rats can’t open them, can I substitute this cage for a rat cage?
I’m planning on putting in ledges and landings and such around the cage so the rats have a smaller chance of falling as well.
A cage is a cage. You can use it just fine as you describe. As long as the animal is confined you can put whatever you wish in a "Bird" cage.
Is there any problem with getting a bird cage for a rat?
9 Responses
Leave a Comment
September 24th, 2009 at 5:20 am
It will probably work, buy the sturdiest cage they have, a bored rat can do some amazing things.
References :
September 24th, 2009 at 6:09 am
Yes , 1 its far too big , and 2, Do you not think rats are a bit unhygenic ??? and don’t they carry deseases and so on.
References :
September 24th, 2009 at 6:45 am
A cage is a cage. You can use it just fine as you describe. As long as the animal is confined you can put whatever you wish in a "Bird" cage.
References :
September 24th, 2009 at 7:12 am
I would call Petco and ask them
References :
September 24th, 2009 at 7:28 am
yeah probably, i mean, i’ve heard of ppl who use plastic storage bins for cages =p
References :
September 24th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Bird cages are wonderful cages for rats if you don’t mind having to do some minor modifications to accommodate them. But only the biggest cockatiel cages would be big enough. Budgie, canary, and finch cages are too small for rats.
http://www.petsmart.com/global/search/search_results.jsp?Nao=0&In=Bird&N=2047584&Ne=2
Could you provide a link to your chosen cage and I could give you a better idea on how it could work for your rats.
I bought a cockatiel cage and added an extra shelf. It’s great for mothers and their babies, young rats, or two adult females who fancy themselves as escape artists.
http://www.epinions.com/pets-Birds-Bird_Cages-Cages-All-Hagen_Majestic_Casino_Flight_Storage_Cage_B_4010
spazrats
"my life has gone to the rats"
References :
I am a rat-care specialist with 11 years of rat-keeping experience. Rats are my one true passion/obsession which gives me an insatiable desire to know everything about rats, both wild and domestic, and this has been the motivation behind the indepth research done over the years that helps me answer your questions. I know just about everything about pet rats, and what I don’t know, I have many resources that I can rely on. There’s always something new to learn about rats so I keep updated with the latest info. My expertise lies in their care, health, general knowledge, and behavior, having kept rats as pets since the age of 38, as well as being a breeder (pets only, no feeders), rescuer, promoter, and educator. I am totally devoted to these small furries, and I’ve become well known, and respected on the rat-only forums ( I founded/own 4), all-pet forums, in my home city, and by individuals via e-mail consultation. I’ve enjoyed the company of over 200 rats in the last 11 years, seeing and hearing the good, the bad, and the ugly of keeping rats as pets. I have over 50 rats in residence at any given time, and they are teaching me everything ratty. I know many rat-keeping experts, specialists, breeders, vets specializing in rats and also own them, vet-techs who own rats, lab techs who own rats, people who are open to learning about rats including the newbies and the oldbies to the world of rats; all who have been, and continue to be, my own teachers and mentors. It’s their experiences, along with my own experiences, that I enjoy sharing with others, by giving out free advice on rat care.
http://spazrats.tripod.com
September 24th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Not just any kind. They need tons of space and room.
References :
September 24th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Funny my first rat cage was a cockatiels cage….it worked
References :
September 24th, 2009 at 9:37 am
As long as the cage has a lot of floor room, then it should be fine. You should add shelves, hides, hammocks, etc., because rats are very active. Also, if the bird cage has a plastic bottom, the rat can chew through it, trust me, I know because I had a rat cage with a plastic bottom and my rats chewed out.
References :