Rodent cages

When buying a rodent as a pet, the question immediately arises about where he will live. Cages - this is the best option for these animals. However, to approach their choice is required with all responsibility, because the nature, health and life expectancy of the pet depend on the correctness of the choice of home.

One of the basic rules when choosing a cage for rodents (regardless of its type) is that it should not have solid walls (according to the container principle). In such a dwelling there is insufficient air circulation, therefore it becomes wet inside. In such conditions, the litter will quickly dampen, which becomes the reason for the active reproduction of bacteria and unpleasant smell, and the animal can get sick.

The cage should not have holes, sharp corners, peeling paint, otherwise the animal will try to escape, may be injured.

The height of the cage pallet is not less than 10 cm, then its contents will not scatter from the cage. Today, most cells have a plastic pallet, which is logical. Such a pan is easy to clean, it is not susceptible to corrosion (as in the case of metal), does not absorb odors and will not be damaged by a rodent (as it does with wood). However, for some small rodents it is better to get a cage with a slatted floor.

In the first place, rodent cages are classified according to who they are intended for. Different types of pets require different types of care and, accordingly, housing. In addition, rodents differ in size, which affects the size of the cage.

Speaking about the dimensions, it is necessary to dwell on the height of the cell. Tiered cages are connected by ladders along which the animal can run. In addition, such homes are optimal for keeping several pets of the same species.

To understand whether the cage is suitable for a pet, you can use a simple formula. For this, the parameters of length, width and height of a cell are multiplied together. The resulting number must be divided by 100 000. In the end, you get a figure that means how many adults can live in this cage.

The length of the cage, as already mentioned, is determined by the size of the rodent. For small animals (rats, mice, hamsters) a dwelling with a length of up to 30 cm is sufficient. If the animal is large (chinchilla, guinea pig), then the cage must be at least 100 cm.

Consider more options for housing for different types of rodents.

Cages for these pets choose spacious enough - at least 70-80 cm in length, 40-50 in width with a cage height of at least 25 cm. If you live a pair of guinea pigs, the size of the cage should also increase by 1.5-2 times.

A high or two-story cage, like a shelter with a shelves, is not suitable for these pets - guinea pigs and chinchillas are not fit to climb the steps.

The best material for a guinea pig cage is metal or strong plastic. But from the wooden counterparts should be abandoned, because these rodents love to bite the tree, and therefore it is easy to damage the cage.

The floor should be solid, convenient when it is a plastic pallet. It is easy and quick to remove and clean. The cage floor for guinea pigs and other large rodents is not suitable. There is a high probability that the animal will catch the twigs with its paws and get injured.

For chinchillas, it is preferable to choose shop windows, as the animal loves closed spaces. The material can be plastic, glass, wood (the animals themselves prefer natural materials), as well as their combinations. Part of the showcase can be made using metal rods or mesh.

The recommended cell size for rats is 30 to 50 cm. For mice, you can buy a dwelling 1.5-2 times smaller. These "houses" are designed to live one rodent.

The optimal cage is metal with dense rods (a soft metal like a rat mesh, if desired, and perseverance is gnawed through), in which the walls are represented by rods and the floor is slatted. Pay attention to the distance between the bars. For an adult animal, it should not exceed 1.2-1.5 cm, for small individuals - 0.7-1 cm. Otherwise, the rat could get injured trying to push the muzzle through them.

These rodents are perfectly suited to a two- or even a three-story cage, a house with ladders, since mice and rats are active animals, they need movement to maintain their shape and health. For this reason, the most unsuitable option of the house - a terrarium with smooth walls - in it the animals will not be able to cling and climb up.

Cages for hamsters can be equipped with the same equipment for rats and mice. However, in the case of hamsters, the optimal cage size is 45 by 45 cm with a height of 15-20 cm. Different ladders, tiers are what is necessary for the “correct” hamster's dwelling. Materials - metal or plastic.

Despite the small size of these rodents, they need a fairly spacious cage. Otherwise, the gerbils will not be able to live their life span. The optimal dimensions are not less than 50 cm in width and 60-70 cm in length.

These animals easily gnaw through wood and plastic, so better to get metal cages for them (the pallet must also be made of metal). These rodents will feel good in multi-level combined cages, where the first floor can be glass, and the second - from metal rods or nets.

As we found out, most rodents feel comfortable in a cage with metal rods. To extend the life of the latter will help special coverage. It may be of the following types.

• Colorful. Manufacturers use powder paint that protects the metal from corrosion and gives the cell an attractive appearance. However, pets easily gnaw it, after which it ceases to perform the functions described above, begins to crack and climb. As a result, such coverage is the most short-lived and cheap (mostly such cells are produced by domestic and Ukrainian companies).

• Zinc. Products of the middle price segment are better resistant to damage and protect against corrosion. However, if the rodent diligently polishes the rod in one place or due to careless transportation, the zinc coating may be damaged and the cage will begin to rust. It is usually produced by Russian, Ukrainian, Polish and Chinese manufacturers.

• PVC It is considered the most stable and durable, such cells are produced mainly by foreign companies operating in the premium segment. However, despite the increased resistance, if such a coating is still damaged, the corrosion process will be inevitable.

For a comfortable habitat of a pet, it is important to take care of the internal organization of the space of his home.For all rodents, you should purchase a feeder and a drinker (it is called a “nipple drinker”). Preferably, they are mounted. This will save space inside and ensure order there.

Another mandatory for all rodents "interior" - a house. In it, the animal can hide when it gets tired and scared. Many owners say that the house is not needed - the rodents still sleep just in a cage, outside the house. However, the latter is needed, rather, for the psychological comfort of the animal.

In addition to the basic accessories, there are additional. They can vary depending on the type of animal. For example, sedentary guinea pigs and chinchillas, which also have an inflexible and fragile spine, are absolutely not needed in the cage of a ladder, shelves and a wheel for running.

For active hamsters and rats, ladders and other climbing equipment are vital. Be sure to organize a ladder in the cage (some of them will be replaced by a stand, a special bollard or simply a grating fixed from one part of the cage to another), a swing swing, various wooden cubes (to gnaw them), tubes that can serve as transitions. For mobile rodents, you can immediately purchase cages with a labyrinth or organize the latter yourself using pipes.

Before embarking on the construction of a dwelling for a rodent, it is necessary to determine what materials it will be from.

The easiest option (but not too comfortable for a rodent) is a plastic container of a suitable size.. A hole is made in the lid for entry. One or more sides of the container must be cut, replacing the plastic mesh. The latter is fixed with the help of clamps.

However, the method described above is rather a variant of carrying or temporary housing. The construction of a full-fledged home begins with drawing up drawings. The materials will require wooden bars, which are 3-4 cm in diameter, as well as galvanized metal mesh with a hole diameter of not more than 20 mm.

The next step is to cut the bars and create a grid (wooden frame) that is appropriate in size. Before making boards, they are better treated with something for more durable operation. To do this, the usual varnish on wood, applied in 2 layers.

Galvanized mesh should be turned into parts - 4 walls, floor and ceiling. All of them must be carefully dimensioned and accurately suited to each other. Otherwise, the cage will be oblique, possibly the appearance of holes and crevices through which the animal will run away.

After the grid is cut into the necessary details, the cut points should be treated with sandpaper. She also needs to go over the entire surface of the grid to eliminate the appearance of metallic burrs and nicks on the finished product.

The next step is the pallet. For rats and mice, you can build a pallet of plywood or chipboard (bottom) of the same metal mesh. All other rodents can not live in a cage with a mesh tray, so they will have to make wood.

Finally, you can proceed to the assembly. First, plywood is nailed to the frame (lower part of the pallet). It is important to ensure that it does not twist, you need to use nails often enough. Top mount mesh "cube". It is more convenient to first assemble it, connecting all the details with metal wire, and then using the furniture brackets to attach the grid to the wooden floor.

On how to equip a rodent cage, see below.