getting a new cage

[adoptaratcanada]

(photo at the bottom)

I'm buying a cage from someone and had a question... I found a picture of it at a chinchillz forum and in their discussion they said to remove the ramps because they are "slotted" and could cause an injury. I don't know if that's specifically for chinchillas (and according to that discussion they don't' need the ramps anyway since they are great jumpers), or is a hazard for rats, too.

Of course, I see potential danger everywhere anyway LOL so I can how they mean it. You think I should worry about it? I can cover them with plastic canvas, or see if the other ramps I have would work in that cage.

I'll add hammocks, too, but do you have any ideas on how to fill up the long drop down the centre?

Thanks!
Linda

[Hamsters82]

Sorry I can't answer your questions, I just wanted to say that is a cool looking cage and I'm sure your rats will enjoy it immensily.

[Die Fledermaus]

You know the rats can easily climb right up the side of those to the top. How you could eliminate the big vertical drop I do not know except adding more levels. Why can't more levels be added?

By "ramp" you mean that diagonal ladder-type thing? I wouldn't worry much about it but I would try to cover it with something you could wire to the ladder/ramp.

[Andrea]

I love those cages, I wanted to get one for my male Degus!

Rats are amazing climbers, I don't see a real danger with the ramps. I have the wooden ones for the degus, though the first 3 or 4 wrungs are eaten LOL

[adoptaratcanada]

Why can't more levels be added?

Good point. I'll see if the ones I have will fit, and if not, I'll contact the manufacturer. OR...I'll see if the old plexiglass ones I made for the old cages are long enough.

Good idea.

I'm really excited, it will be packed full of rattie delights!

Linda

[Die Fledermaus]

Photos, please!

[adoptaratcanada]

Ugh, already ran into a problem!

The cage is considerably bigger than I was told (not a bad thing), and I couldn't get a good visual when I picked it up because it was collapsed.

It's sufficiently tall (33") that it could sit on the floor, but I understand ratties like to be higher up, and I'm not wild about them being at floor level anyway.

The problem is, because of the height and ONLY THREE DOORS (all quite small), daily wipe-down will be hassle!! I can't see how you'd get at the shelves, even though the entire top is rigged to flip up. To elaborate....

There is one door at the very bottom, and 2 doors at the very top! If the cage were on a table or bench, you could probably rig one shelf to be low enough that you could reach your arm in from the bottom door and get at it. As for the other shelves, you *could* reach them from above, but NOT if you have it on a table or bench! It's all metal and would be too heavy for me to lift onto/off a table every day (or more if necessary). *sigh*

So...the only option I can think of is to add more doors by cutting an opening. I probably would use some hardward cloth to improvise another door. I would worry about the ends of the cut bars being very sharp for the ratties (or for me reaching in to clean).

Any other ideas on what I could do to make this cage work? Or input on what I can do with doors as mentioned?

I might just bail out and sell this one, and go back to my original cage that I used with my first rats. I've found that the SuperPet shelves will work in it, but it won't be as big as the used one I just bought.

I included the picture I showed before, as well as another where you can see the entire cage (small pic, though).

Thanks!!

Linda

[Die Fledermaus]

Well, too bad I don't have it. I lift weights and am strong enough to easily move it, and my long arms could surely reach inside with ease! ;D

I see. . . the Catch 22. If on the floor you can't reach up easily enough through the bottom door. If on a table or bench it is too high for you to reach down.

You could use one of those sponge thingees on a plastic stick I see for kitchens. Why can't you reach in there with that even when on the floor??

Why not get some bricks and hunks of wood and something flat and raise the cage two-three feet off the floor? That should be a compromise that should facillitate access from the top and bottom, especially if you use a stool to help you reach up in and down from the top.

[adoptaratcanada]

A thought just occured to me...I thought I could make it easier but cutting off some height from the cage top....then I realized that would remove 2 of the doors. Still, might be do-able.

L.

[Die Fledermaus]

So, was what I said helpful or do you have another plan?

[adoptaratcanada]

Sorry, I jumped the queue with my last reply

As you point out, too tall to put on top of something and still be able to reach in from the top, and if I put it on the floor, it will be too low to get in comfortably and get at an angle to reach all parts.

For the times that I will do a major cleaning and have to remove them, it's not an issue as I can dismantle it. However, it's just those quick wipe downs and poop removal when I'm heading out the door to work that it will be harder.

I like your idea about the sponge on a stick!! Thanks!

Linda

[Die Fledermaus]

You can't stand on a stool or something to get up higher to reach down and in?

[adoptaratcanada]

could be. I'm going to have to settle on an arrangement for the shelves and decide what do from there.

[Die Fledermaus]

Keep us posted, please.

[adoptaratcanada]

Will do! Got a new phone with a camera in it, so once I get that up 'n running, I'll be sure to post some pics!
;D


L