What kind of cage is best for rats?
Both wire cages and aquariums are suitable for rats and each has advantages and disadvantages. However, any type of cage must be large enough for the number of rats to be housed in it. When purchasing a cage for a baby rat, be sure to allow plenty of room for the rat to grow. Most cages manufactured for hamsters do not allow this necessary room and are therefore unsuitable for rats. An aquarium will protect the rat from drafts, but has poor air circulation which makes it warmer and more humid than a wire cage. An aquarium is also more difficult than a wire cage to decorate and to provide levels for climbing. A 20-gallon tank will house one or two females or males and would need to be cleaned twice a week since the rats are living in their litter, unlike in a wire cage where they can climb up onto shelves. Tanks make it difficult for the owner to interact with their pets. Rats housed in aquariums need daily out time to provide necessary exercise unless the rat happens to be a wheel runn
