*UPDATE! I Modified my 690* How bad is the R-690...

[chaos_in_motion]

I have my little girls in an r-690, and I have read that the ramps may be too steep for older rats. I've been convinced to get the r-695 for them instead,  (and it has extra room) but that still leaves me with an r- 690, and money I hope would not have been wasted. Is there a general age limit to when a rat could not live in there? How do I tell if its getting too hard for them to negotiate the steep ramps? I'd rather not wait for an injury before I find out.

*edit* Or, alternately I could go for broke and get a RUUD. However, is there any benefit for having that for older rats? I *sigh* My head is swimming and I have limited space.

[Ratwings]

There can't really be an actual age limit for a 690, because rats age differently.  Some rats are getting feeble by 2 years old, but others are still spunky at 2 1/2 and older.  When your rats seem like their legs aren't as strong as they used to be, and they are having trouble on the ramps, just move them to a flatter cage.  You will be able to tell because they will be slower on the ramps, hesitant to go down, and spending more time on the lower levels.

[knuckles]

once a rat starts losing hind legs, the 690 is hard for them to get around because the ramps are steeper.  the 695 is better that way and is bigger too.

[Dearpie]

You can always modify the 690.  I think it was Redslurpee that did it ... there's a thread somewhere ....

[Grace Jr]

It all depends on the rats, really.   I've got one boy, Milos, who is 2.5, and gets around just as well as he did when he was younger.  I've got another boy, Pompeii, who is over 2, and has lost a good bit of motor function in his hind end.  For him, there's no way I'd want him in a 690, or even a 695, but Milos would get around fine in one.

Just keep an eye on them, and if they start spending a lot more time on one level, are moving a lot slower, etc, it may be time to either modify the cage, or get a new one.

[redslurpee]

I just lowered the levels of my 690 to make the ramps
less steep. It added room for a lot more little balconies
& hammocks too:



My older guys are still going strong but I like knowing
they will be able to navigate these levels for a good
while yet

[chaos_in_motion]

Oh wow! I hadn't even thought of lowering the entire shelf!    Well, that simplifies alot. *scurries off to find her pliers*

[chaos_in_motion]

I modified it! *happydance* Sorry about the glare, I have vinyl on the wall behind it...
Horray!