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Post by zebette on Sept 7, 2009 18:10:09 GMT 10
Hi all,
We are yet to purchase our new family additions and are still doing our homework. I have seen a few rat cages/enclosures and would like something big enough to easily fit 2 rats with loads of room to play (and for any future additions...and I don't mean baby ratty additions, we are hoping to get two boys)
What is a safe size for bar spacing on a cage and what else should I be looking for in a cage?
Thanks for any help or links that will give me more info.
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Post by christie on Sept 8, 2009 10:51:19 GMT 10
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nessie
Aussie Rat Owner 
Posts: 47
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Post by nessie on Sept 8, 2009 13:37:40 GMT 10
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Post by LittlePaws(Cat) on Sept 15, 2009 14:49:04 GMT 10
I would say to always aim for around 1.2 but it does depend a little on circumstances. Sometimes you can go with something a little larger but I wouldn't reccomend it (read on for more). My old boys are in a cage with large bar spacing (around 1.8) and they have lived in it happily for a few years now. I thought everything was fine until I had one naughty little girl escape and turn up IN the boys cage. She had a litter shortly after! So while the spacing has been fine for keeping my boys IN, it was not so fine at keeping others OUT. Just thought I would make that point, perhaps others will learn from my mistake  |
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Post by zebette on Sept 16, 2009 19:10:37 GMT 10
Thanks all,
I have now purchased a Ferret Kingdom cage (bar spacing 1.25cm) so that should keep the boys in. Not sure if I will put them straight in it or let them get a couple more weeks out of their current cage and let them get a bit bigger. At least we have something I am confident with now as I hear many rat owners love the FK for their ratties.
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Post by christie on Sept 16, 2009 23:50:36 GMT 10
Oh man that's a lot of room for 2 rattys. They are going to love all that space.
Yes the Ferret Kingdom is an awesome cage, easy to clean and so much room. Easy to hang toys and hammocks in as well.
Nothing wrong with putting them right into the FK and just keeping their current cage as a spare. I think its always good to have a spare cage around just in case.
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Post by zebette on Sept 17, 2009 12:50:35 GMT 10
It would not surprise me if we added a couple of new ratties to our family over the coming months though will continue to settle in with our first two boys to start with for a while.
Husband has put a limit on daughter and I at 4 ratties so the FK may get a bit fuller in the long term anyway but not over crowding.
I agree about the spare cage too as I said to husband if one were sick or if aggression issues were to arise then we could at least separate. Though I guess we could always divide the FK in two but I want them to stay together and so far they are fine that way.
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Post by christie on Sept 17, 2009 14:36:40 GMT 10
I find it amusing you have a ratty limit but in place by your husband  So it means that if you want to go over that number, you just need to make your husband believe it was his idea to get another lol I have set my own limit at 4 tho for the moment. I think its a good number for me and my boyfriend. Yeah the FK could be split in two (we have ours split with boys on the top and girls on the bottom, as our housemate has rattys to) also tho for a "hospital cage" something smaller is usually better. To restrict movement and allow them to heal. I have here a spare cage, suitable for 2-3 rattys, which i use if i want to bring all my rattys to my parents house with me for the day (my grandma LOVES them) and i also have a very small mouse type cage that i will use for a hospital cage or just taking 1-2 rattys out for a few hours. Ha then their are carriers that are really only used for vet trips and when the FK is getting cleaned. |
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Post by zebette on Sept 17, 2009 14:56:12 GMT 10
LOL I don't mind as I think 4 is a nice enough number, and frankly i am surprised he even agreed to more. He's a good guy but as we all know taking good care of pets means being able to afford vet trips and good foods etc so I think financially he is spot on with 4 anyway considering our number of overall animals and our ability to care for them so no one misses out on some loving and vet treatment if they are sick. Two of our cats are on prescription cat food (two different types of course) so it all adds up and we don't want to spread it too thin!
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Post by chocrats on Sept 19, 2009 12:06:43 GMT 10
Hehe.
When I first brought my male rats home, my mum only agreed on four... a little less then a year later, and I breed them! Lol. She's put a limit on 20 though, and I don't think I'll want anymore than that anyway.. unless I see cute ones that I 'must' have. ;)
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So it means that if you want to go over that number, you just need to make your husband believe it was his idea to get another lol I have set my own limit at 4 tho for the moment. I think its a good number for me and my boyfriend. 