what do you do with a cage like this?

[anaphylaxis]

okay, i've got this cage here.  it's about 35" high, 22" wide, and 16" deep.  it's got 3 balconies, aside from the floor.  

i'm covering the floor in that plastic craft netting stuff, so i can put bedding on top.  the grating for the balconies is about 2" by 0.25",  (long and skinny).  the actual cage bar spacing is about 4.5" high and 1" wide, (tall and skinny).

my boys are pretty tubby, so i'm nearly positive they can't get through.  

okay, now the questions.  should i cover the balconies in something?  i can't imagine something happening to their little feets on it, but you guys have a lot more experience with these things.

also, where on earth do you put a cage with these dimensions?  i don't really have a suitable table, (they're all too high or too low), and i'm really afraid of the cats knocking it over if they jump on top.

i guess it'll be less top-heavy when i fill it with bedding, but is it gonna tip over if a kitty leaps at it?  should i tie it down with something?

feed me knowledge!  thanks so much.  sorry that was long.

 

[elegy]

i have my two big cages on the floor, which probably isn't the greatest, but it's the only thing they'll fit on.

as for being top heavy, you might try some kind of brick or stone in the base. it'll help wear down toenails, and make it a little bit harder to tip over.

[flannel]

Wow!  Nice find!  I'm not sure about the balconies and stuff.  But the cage should fit on one of those pine adjustable bookshelves around $20.  You can get them all over the place. Our shelf came from Costco or Walmart I think.  Our cage is 36"h x 24"w x 18"d.  If I could only find a way to post pics.... We have the 4 shelf pine bookshelf and removed 1 of the shelves and rearranged the rest.  It fits perfectly.  And at the beginning I put a bungee cord around because I was paranoid that it would get knocked off too.  So far it's been ok, though.  My books are unhappy at being displaced but  they'll live  

[KoKo]

I would put towels over the wire, because usually, rats don't like the wire floors.  My rats have a baby blanket over their balcony and they LOVE it! If I were you, I would put your cage on the floor, if you can't find a better spot.

[Panda Phil]

 Or just put more of the craft netting on the balconies. That's what I did and just used safety pins so I can remove it for cleaning.

[anaphylaxis]

the floor wouldn't be an awful place if i weren't so worried about little ratty tails flopping through the bars and getting.. i don't know, stepped on or bitten by a kitty!  i might end up having to build my own little table.

so.. do you think there's a problem with the balconies other than comfort?  i mean, if they're safe for little ratty feet, then maybe i can just cover part of each shelf, which would be easier than making sure i covered every square inch, ya know?

also, what's the longest you've ever kept a rat in a cage -- that you thought was escape-proof -- before he escaped?  when's it safe to exhale?  

thanks again!

[KoKo]

Well my rat, Scooter, was actually strong enough to open the door to his old cage.  He would just get out, walk around, and come back to his cage for food and to poop.  Usually, when a rat escapes, it's not to run away.  It's usually just to explore.  My rat loves to explore, so I always let him, and when he's had enough, he goes right back into his cage! If you don't want him to explore certain areas, then just close the door leading to those areas.  (I found Scooter in my parent's bedroom at 4:00am last night! Good thing they didn't find out!) I always know when Scooter is in my parent's room because my dog will wag her tail and sniff Scooter.  My dog is scared of Scooter, though, and she would never dream of hurting him!

[RatRaven]

Not a one of my rats have ever escaped from their cage, although the oldest will be out the door and up the sides as soon as I open it up. I have mine down on the floor because of its size. It is roughly the same size with three balconies and a hanging pot (their bed) inside it. I have rough pebble paver in the bottom of it to balance it.

I have a cat also, and she has never shown any real interest in the rats. I don't let them wander the house though because the cat is inside all the time. She is a gentle kitty, but I don't trust her that much. The have all kissed noses through the bars, but if anything my cat shows naught but disinterest.

[anaphylaxis]

okay, here's what i've decided.

i'm gonna build a small wooden table, about half a foot high.  it's going to be wide enough to be nice and sturdy.

i'm going to place the cage on the table, against the wall, and i'm going to somehow anchor the cage TO the wall.  i was thinking of maybe screwing some eyelets into the wall and using bungee cords, something like that.

i'm gonna do what panda phil said and put some craft bedding on the balconies, and hold it on with zip ties,(but i couldn't find the pretty neon ones).

i'm so excited.  

[scout]

You might want to put something between the wall and the cage, because the ratties will spray the wall when they do their business. I have a heavy cloth, others use plastic shower curtains or sheets.

[anaphylaxis]

oh gosh!  thanks for the advice.  

[gentlesummerrayn]

I have a few big cages and have always kept them on the floor. Tails never seem to just be sticking out. Cats cant knock them over and there are no bungee cords that the rats could chew up. If your rats chew the cords maybe some chain might work.

[anaphylaxis]

that's weird, my ratty's tails are *always* sticking outside the bars.  i like to stroke them.  we decided that we're gonna build a small table (so they're at eye level), and build a little lip around the table edge for sturdiness.  also, we're probably gonna use more craft netting around the outside of the lower part of the cage, where the tails come out to kitty level.  

[KoKo]

LoL! So Thaats what the yellow spots on the wall are....thought they were Coke or Sprite or something....Hmmmmm