So, you want to keep rats, the first thing you are going to need to do is get a cage for them.
I would say don't get rats unless you have saved up a few hundred dollars ready to spend on a good cage for them that you will need to order online.
But lets talk about what your options are here in Tasmania, given we live on a isolated island with a limited selection in pet stores.
First of all, what are we looking for in a rat cage?
Lots of room for rats to run around and play
Solid platforms and base (standing on wire can hurt rats feet and cause bumblefoot unless covered)
Bar spacing would be ideally 1.5cm or less, can go up to 2cm for large rats.
All made of metal (Pee will rot wood, rats will chew through plastic trays)
Large doors for easy access and cleaning
Removable levels for easy cleaning
On wheeled base to move around easily
If you want to buy a cage from a pet store, your options are pretty limited.
Note: these are what I have found available in the north of the state, south may be different.
Pros: Cheap, very small bar spacing so good for keeping young rats for a while, pull out tray for cleaning.
Cons: Wire flooring and platforms. Small, limited space, could be okay for 2 small rat or one big one.
My experience: I am currently using this cage to house my large antisocial boy, who will attack any other rat on sight. As you can see, blankets cover the wire bottom of the cage. Have also used it in the past when separating out males and females from litters, or a temporary housing. Would not recommend for two adult rats as not much space, unless you have them out of the cage for most of the day.
Plastic Base Cage from Petland Kings Meadows
Pros: Cheap, very small bar spacing so good for keeping young rats for a while or as a breeding cage, solid plastic base easily separated from wire cage part for easy cleaning.
Cons: Still has wire platforms. Small, limited space, could be okay for 2 small rat or one big one, or a mother and her brood. Small doors.
My experience: I am currently using this cage to house a pregnant female, as I have done in the past. She will have her babies in there and raise them until 5 weeks in there. As you can see, she is already building a nest. I have also used this cage to hold male and female babies separate, and as temporary housing. I prefer this cage to the last one because of the solid plastic base. Once again, would not recommend for two adult rats as not much space, unless you have them out of the cage for most of the day.
Pros: Large, many levels, suitable for plenty of rats. Bar spacing good. Bottom tray slides out for cleaning.
Cons: Wire platforms. Rats will chew bottom plastic tray to pieces. Small doors.
My experience: Had this cage for some rats for a couple of years. Secure, but a bit of a pain to keep clean. Rats pooped and peed out the sides a lot and onto the floor, and sides started rusting from the pee. They chewed the bottom tray to bits, had to replace with custom made metal one.
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