Here we can see, “A Pet Rat Cage You Can Make Yourself”
Your pet rat would prefer a cage with plenty of space. If you can’t find the perfect cage for your pet rat, use wire shelves and zip ties to make one yourself.
You may need to play around with different shelf selections. This cage has only one shelf, as per the instructions, but you may make it as tall as you want with as many shelves as you want.
What You’ll Require
Tools / Equipment
- Power saw
- Scissors
Materials
- Vinyl-coated wire shelves measuring 4 x 6 feet and 16 inches wide.
- a large pack of zip ties or cable ties
- Large under-bed storage container.
- Clip to hold a door closed, such as a bolt snap on a dog leash.
Instructions
Cut the Shelving
If the hardware shop didn’t do it previously, use the power saw to cut three of the shelves in half. You now have six three-foot-long shelf lengths to work with. One long bent edge and one long flat edge are included on each shelf component.
Construct the Cage
Turn the shelves on their ends and attach the long edges with zip ties to construct the cage’s main body. For the front and back, use two pieces each, and one piece for each side. Each shelf’s curved sides connect at the corners.
The flat edges of two shelves are linked in the middle of the front and back. The sides of the cage are initially shaky due to their ability to hinge, but this will be stabilised as the remainder of the cage is put together.
Cut the J-channel at a 45-degree angle with your saw to meet at the top of the cage’s corners. The cuts won’t be flawless, but they’ll cover any shelving cut ends and give the cage’s top rim a polished look. It also tightly clamps on and stabilises the cage’s front and back panels.
Cut the Doors
A rat cage’s regular door measures 9 inches tall by 5.5 inches wide. Cut doors out of one of the remaining half shelves, slightly larger than the aperture so that the door overlaps it slightly. Cut the supports on the outside edge so the door is a little wider than the opening and a couple of inches taller than the opening.
Add the Doors to the Cage
Align the door’s bottom edge with the bottom of the door opening. The “flat” side of the door—the side opposite the support bars—should face inwards, allowing the door to lie flat against the cage and eliminate any gaps.
Attach the bottom wire of the door to the lower edge of the opening with many cable ties. If your rats eat through the zip ties, you can easily add a couple of metal clips.
Simple bolt snaps, similar to those used on the ends of dog leashes, are used to latch the doors and can generally be bought at hardware stores.
Build a Roof
The roof is made from the remaining three-foot length of shelf. With the bent edge facing up, place it on top. Use many zip ties to attach the roof to the back of the cage. Metal clips or hooks could also be utilised to create a front-facing roof lock.
Add the Shelves and Accessories
The second level is made up of a plastic canvas-covered piece of shelving. Cut a portion of the shelf to fit the cage’s width. Use zip ties to secure the shelf, and then use zip ties to secure a piece of plastic canvas to the top of the shelf.
You can use a bird ladder or the cage’s edges to help your rats get to the second level.
Place the cage in the storage container under the bed. To complete your rat’s new home, add food dishes, water bottles, toys, and bedding.
User Questions
Can you use bin cages for rats?
Bin cages are an excellent option to provide a large cage for your rats (or other tiny animals) without spending a lot. These cages are not only inexpensive and simple to construct, but they are also light, easy to clean, and can be readily adjusted if you want to offer your rats even more space!
Do rats need a bed?
A hanging ferret bed should always be included in the cage of rats. It provides them with a cosy place to sleep and hide. For each rat to feel safe and alone, there should be at least one wooden hideout in different parts of the cage.
Is it cruel to keep pet rats?
Humans can transmit ringworm and staph diseases to rats. Dogs can also infect them with Bordetella (kennel cough), which is nearly always fatal to rats. Humans can contract rat-bite fever and hantavirus from pet rats, but both diseases are uncommon in the rat world.
Do rats need salt licks?
It is recommended that you provide your rat with a salt lick to prevent mineral and/or vitamin deficits. Salt licks are available at a variety of pet supply retailers. Wire cages with solid bottoms are ideal since they allow for optimum ventilation while also reducing the risk of foot injury.
Can I put newspaper in my rat cage?
Junk mail, phone books, and discarded copy paper can all be recycled this way. Newspaper is also excellent for dark-furred rats, but the ink may stain lighter-colored rats. Glossy paper is not absorbent, so avoid it.
Conclusion
I hope you found this helpful guide. If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to use the form below.
