in the market for a new cage need input

[Dragon_Lady]

hey guys, i've been out of the loop for a while, hadnt had any rats in years focused on other critters but anyway i ended up with 2 rats and im in the market for a new cage. here's my specifications. would like for it to be multiple level if possible, taller then wider, on wheels, small spacing between the bars obviously.  would prefer not to spend over 200 but if it comes to that..we will see. also want something with a pull out tray if possible and mostly metal. debating on the  Prevue Pet Products Rat and Chinchilla Cage 495 Earthtone Dusted Rose  but i have heard mixed revues.   anything is better then what they have now.   all i had when i got them was a small hamster cage so the quicker the solution the better. they are not babies i would say medium to large size.  less then a year old.  please no negative comments yes i know the cage they are in is too small thats why im getting a bigger one. thanks for the help

[BigBen]

You could probably get a good deal on a Critter Nation by Midwest.  It doesn't have the pull-out tray you mention, but the doors are full-width and open wide, making cleaning easy.  It has wheels and a shelf for storage beneath the main cage.  It can also be upgraded later to a Double Critter Nation if and when you want more space.  I don't know what they are currently charging, but www.ferret.com often has good deals, either on the price of the cage or on the shipping charge--and other sites, likewise.  The CN is a very good rat cage, and it is easy to assemble.  It is sturdy and flexible in layout.  I have both a CN and a DCN, and I like them very much.  The single can hold up to four rats, the double can hold nine.

[Dragon_Lady]

thanks.  really want one with a pull out tray but im weighing all my options. i dont want to get stuck with something i hate that isnt good for them.

[Michael C]

The Prevue Hendryx Dusted Rose cage has a wire grated floor and a shallow pull-out tray (like a bird cage). Most rat owners remove the wire floor or place the plastic tray on top of it. I don't know that a wire grated floor is the best option for rats. Solid floors and levels are generally recommended. The only cage in the U.S. that I'm aware of that has a rat-appropriate bar spacing (1/2") and a pull-out tray without a wire grated floor is the Ware Living Room Series Critter Home. There are others with pull-out trays but they all have a wider bar spacing or grated floors that I wouldn't recommend for rats.

Personally, I don't think I'd be a big fan of pull out trays. If you prefer using a loose substrate, there are lots of great cages with deep base pans that are quite easy to clean. Martin's cages, for example, have a 3" deep plastic pan. The cage is easily lifted from the pan and the contents of the pan can be dumped. A mixing tub from Home Depot can be trimmed slightly to fit into a Critter Nation cage. They're quite deep and easy to remove to clean.

[Dragon_Lady]

thanks. i decided to skip the pull out tray and ordered a critter nation cage. i had gotten lots of feedback from facebook groups and the critter nation seems to be the best out of all the options.  thanks again for all the feedback. now to shop for accessories lol

[Vonda Z]

I think you made the right choice. Also remember that without a grate (which you don't want for rats), if you put huts and igloos and bowls and other items that are taller than the tray on the floor, you won't be able to pull out the tray anyway without removing all of the accessories. I think you will find that you do not miss that option. Pull out trays work better for flightly birds, so you can change the paper on the bottom without opening the doors risking the bird escaping from the cage and where you are less likely to put accessories on the floor. But with rats, you don't really need to worry about them "escaping" and they will appreciate having fun toys on the bottom of the cage.