Contrary to what people may think, rats make great pets! Granted, they don’t have the attributes of a feline or canine companion, but that doesn’t make them any less appealing, especially to a rat lover.
Domesticated rats have qualities of their own that make them interesting to own.
Pet rats don’t like living alone, so you’ll need at least two, preferably of the same sex, unless you want baby rats as well.
Like all other pets, rats need proper care to thrive. In addition to food and water, they need a safe environment in which to live, toys for exercise and play, and interaction with their family to feel secure and loved.
As your pet rats won’t have much freedom, they’ll be totally dependent on you for their survival and care. So before getting these pets, make sure you’re up to the task.
The first order of business is setting up your rat’s home, one large enough to accommodate the number of rats you want to own. If you decide to buy a cage, you’ll have no trouble finding options, both online and in pet shops.
As rodent cages can be quite costly, the trick is finding a cage that works for you at a price you can afford. Otherwise, a homemade bin cage for rats is an alternative worth exploring.
Are Bin Cages Good for Rats?
A bin cage has the potential to be a great rat home, as long as it’s the right size and has ample ventilation to keep your pets comfortable.
A large bin cage will provide your pets with ample floor space for exploring, burrowing and playing with their toys.
Plastic bin cages are easier to keep clean than metal cages; all that’s required is dumping the bedding, wiping the bin clean, and drying it out before setting it up again.A clean, hygienic setting is essential to the health and wellness of your pet rats.
Creativity is key to setting up an amazing home environment for your rats. Since you’ll have multiple rats (remember rats don’t like to live alone), you’ll need a variety of accessories to create a comfortable environment and keep your pets engaged.
This will include hammocks, hideouts, play and chew toys along with a litter box for peeing and pooping, bedding material, nesting material and water bottles to help them stay hydrated.
You can also make toys from junk you have around the home, like toilet paper tubes, tissue boxes or old socks to keep your pets entertained.
Where you set up your bin cage is also important as its location can affect your rats’ safety and health. Rats don’t like direct sunlight or cold drafts, so keep the bin away from bay windows and AC ducts in your home.
Like people, rats can suffer when exposed to extreme heat or cold, so look for a place where the temperature stays moderate (between 72 and 80 degrees) and where your pets can enjoy total darkness at night to help them feel secure.
An ideal location is one that allows for greater opportunity for you and your family to interact with your rats throughout the day.
How to Make a Cheap DIY Rat Cage!
when set up properly, a DIY bin cage can make a great home for your pets and won’t break the bank in the process. bin cages are cheap to make, easy to maintain, and versatile to set up. they can be easily modified to suit your pets’ needs and make good carriers for travel or vet visits.
Most important of all, they don’t require a lot of materials or tools to construct, so you won’t be spending a ton of money.
The first thing you’ll need to make a bin cage is the bin, obviously! A thick, plastic 25-30 gallon storage container is just about right.
Other materials you’ll need are hardware cloth a quarter to half-inch thick, nuts and bolts or zip ties, wire cutters, a utility knife and a drill, which can be borrowed for this task.
If your container is rectangular in shape, you’ll be cutting out large windows on the long sides to provide ventilation for your pets, high enough so bedding doesn’t leak out from the container floor.
These windows will be covered by hardware cloth to keep your rats from escaping, only you’ll cut the pieces of your wire cloth larger than the windows so they can be drilled in place later on.
Using a plier, bend back any wires poking out of the hardware cloth pieces after they’re cut out.
Next, mark the places where holes will be drilled in your bin to hold the hardware cloth in place. Once the holes have been drilled, attach the hardware mesh to the inside of your bin, secure it with nuts and bolts or zip ties and you’re done.
On square containers, you may choose to make windows on all sides and you can also make a window on the lid. The money you save by making your own rat bin cage can be invested in creating an amazing interior environment for your pets’ new home.
Are Storage Cube Rat Cages Cruel?
Your decisions concerning your rats’ care will make a big difference in the quality of their lives. Exotic pets like rats, gerbils, hamsters, etc. need the right living environment in order to thrive.
Even though these creatures are small, they need space to live and breathe, just like any other pet or even people, for that matter.
Putting your pets in a small cage, whether it’s a homemade bin cage or a store-bought wire one, is cruel as your pets will feel uncomfortable and cramped.
Keep in mind that your rat’s cage will be his bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and playroom all rolled up into one.
A small cage won’t give your pets ample space to roam. Rats that live in cramped quarters are more likely to become stressed and agitated due to being on top of each other all the time.
A small rat cage leaves little room for sleeping comfortably, much less burrowing, playing and exploring.
If you decide to make a storage bin your rats’ abode, make sure it’s spacious enough to accommodate your pets comfortably.
Then make use of every nook and cranny to create an inviting, stimulating environment your rats will enjoy. Your rat doesn’t need a mansion or castle to be happy, just enough space to feel at home.
Conclusion
So, is a DIY bin cage for rats a bad choice for your pets’ home? Not necessarily. By putting the health, safety and happiness of your rats first, you can make wise choices in creating a bin cage home that’s safe, comfortable, inspiring AND spacious for your pet rats to enjoy.
