9 Best Rat Cages for Pet Rats in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

No matter if you’re a new or experienced rat owner, you might be looking at cage options for your little bundles of joy. But rats need much more space than one might assume. For instance, something as tiny as a hamster cage is insufficient. Rats need plenty of room to roam and play. Also, safety and security are significant factors when you own expert escape artists.

So, for your convenience, we rounded up nine of the best cages that you can buy. Hopefully, these reviews will help you find the best fit possible for your little furry friends.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2025

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Prevue Pet Products Rat Critter Cage	Perfect for up to three adult rats Easy to clean Tough, iron bars	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Kaytee My First Home Habitat	Deep bottom to prevent spills Perfect starter home Wire-base locking system	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		MidWest Critter Nation Deluxe Small Animal Cage	Chew-proof Four fully opening doors Storage space	CHECK PRICE
		Yaheetech Metal Cage	Two entry points Food and water bottle included Corrosion-free	CHECK PRICE
		ZENY Rat Cage	Simple locking mechanism 360-degree wheels Stores easily when not in use	CHECK PRICE

The 9 Best Rat Cages for Pet Rats

1. Prevue Pet Products Rat, Chinchilla, Baby Ferret Cage — Best Overall

We love the Prevue Pet Products Rat, Chinchilla, Baby Ferret Cage, and we think you will too. It has just enough space with all the right features, fitting most rats’ needs beautifully.

This cage is made of wrought iron bars with a dusty rose hammer stone finish. The solid ramps and small wire spacing prevent escapes or chewing. There is a bottom shelf for storage, so you can put all your rat’s belongings in one place.

It has two metal platforms, two ramps, and a grille. The cage is simple to clean, with a pull-out plastic platform that you can easily wipe down. The door is wide, so you can easily access the cage inside to get your rats out or replenish their food supply.

This product is suitable for up to three rats, as the dimensions are 31” x 20.5” x 40”. But if you have more, you might want a bigger space.

All in all, we think this is the overall best rat cage for pet rats available.

2. Kaytee My First Home Multi-Level Small Animal Habitat — Best Value

It’s no secret that rat cages can get expensive. If you’re looking to save a little cash, you can check out the Kaytee My First Home Multi-Level Small Animal Habitat. It’s the best rat cage for pet rats for the money if you have no more than two adult rats.

The bottom base is deep plastic to prevent bedding from littering your floors. The metal bars fasten tightly to the plastic base to create a tight design that doesn’t come apart or loosen. There is a wire-base locking system that securely keeps the cage closed.

It’s a great starter home, coming with a food dish to cut out some upfront costs. This cage is perfect for young rats, giving them room to grow. If you have a heavy chewer, they might be able to do some real damage to the interior plastic, but if you litter the cage with toys, it shouldn’t be an issue.

3. MidWest Critter Nation Deluxe Small Animal Cage — Premium Choice

If you have quite a few critters and need the extra space, consider the MidWest Critter Nation Deluxe Small Animal Cage. It is perfect for up to six rats and is worth the extra money if you need the space. Plus, there’s additional room for storage on the bottom rack to keep all your supplies.

This cage is incredibly well constructed, made of rigid metal wire with a gray hammertone finish. The bar spacing is half an inch and will keep in even very young rats. There are two leak-proof pans to avoid any waste spills. Each level has a padded cover on the ramps to make climbing a breeze.

The latches are critter-proof, meaning there is no way for your rodents to open them. There are four doors in total, all of which open fully for maximum reach. Best of all, no tools are required. It’s so easy to set up.

4. Yaheetech 37-inch Metal Ferret Chinchilla Cage

The Yaheetech 37-inch Metal Ferret Chinchilla Cage is an excellent pick for full-grown rats. Due to the vertical bars, it isn’t a suitable option for rats under 6 months old. They might easily be able to slip through, which is a hazard, so adults only are allowed, please.

There are two double-latch doors for easy entry points, giving access to the rest of the cage. The bottom has a thick plastic litter tray that you can slide out to dump and clean. It comes with its own food dish and water bottle, which can save you money on extra supplies.

This cage is on wheels that rotate 360 degrees, so you can move it around easily when you need to. The entire exterior is corrosion-free, preventing rust from forming under frequent moisture. It is a perfect place for your adult rats to spend their days—a real home sweet home!

5. ZENY Rat Cage

The ZENY Rat Cage is a great selection for small pets, particularly full-grown rats. This metal cage has an attractive curved design with two doorway entry points. There are simple slide latch locks that prevent any unwanted escapes.

The bottom tray slides out so you can empty and refill the litter with minimal hassle. The design is equipped with four 360-degree wheels that roll smoothly. There are three separate platforms so your little ones can hang on on different levels, promoting healthy exercise.

In addition to the excellent cage setup, it comes with a food dish and water bottle. You can start out your rat-owning experience with all the basics. If you aren’t using the cage at some point, it folds down flat for easy storage.

6. Aivituvin Anti-chewing Wooden Hamster Cage

Aivituvin Anti-chewing Wooden Hamster Cage is a sturdy setup that provides a nice habitat for all your rat babies. There are two platforms for your pets to scurry around on, which are accessible via three ramps. You can access the interior through the wire-net lid or the front “window” portion.

The entire structure is made of iron, and the ramp edges are made of an aluminum alloy to resist chewing. The wood floor is protected by a layer of PVC, so urine won’t soak in. The bottom tray is over 2 inches deep and slides out for easy cleaning. The whole structure sits on caster wheels for optimal movability, and two have brakes to keep it in place when desired. Two hideouts are also included, and you can add hanging toys or hammocks from the platforms or even the lid.

The bar spacing (half an inch) is ideal for young and adult rats, so you can get this cage at any stage of your pet’s life. However, this habitat is quite large (39 x 19.7 x 20.1 inches) and heavy (45 pounds), so it might not fit well in your home. A drill and a helper are also recommended for assembly.

7. Aivituvin 5 Levels Wooden Small Pet Cage

Aivituvin 5 Levels Wooden Small Pet Cage may be perfect if you have a whole collection of rats. This cage has five levels accessible by four ramps so your pets can explore and climb around extensively. When they’ve gotten out all their energy, there’s also a hideout at the top where they can rest.

A bowl and a chewing toy come with the cage, fitting perfectly on the platform of your choice. Each level is made of wood and covered in PVC plastic, which is not easy for rats to chew and makes it easier to clean up any bedding spills or messes. When you want to play with your pets or otherwise get into the cage, you can do so via one of the five doors: one on each side, two on the front, and one on top (the lid). The whole cage is covered with wire netting that is too small for rats to squeeze through yet still provides plenty of ventilation.

Unfortunately, while this is a beautiful and sturdy cage, the frame is made of wood and can be chewed up by industrious rodents. Also, due to its size, it can easily get damaged in shipping.

8. Ware Manufacturing Chew Proof 3 Level Critter Cage

Ware Manufacturing Chew Proof 3 Level Critter Cage is incredibly easy to assemble, so you don’t have to worry about a complicated setup. It has three different levels to provide entertainment and exercise for your ratty buddies. The plastic base keeps the betting inside, preventing it from falling out of the wiring.

The metal bars are incredibly durable, so they hold up well against tough chewing. The bars are perfectly spaced, so your rats can enjoy this cage at any age. Each level and accompanying ramp fasten into the design with minimal effort.

A metal drop pan sifts out your rat’s waste to keep the cage fresh. The plastic base doesn’t hold odors, making it easy to wipe down and clean up. The overall design is a bit flimsier than some competing cages, but it is an honorable mention nonetheless.

9. Ferplast Two-Story Tower Ferret Cage

If you have a whole rat pack, Ferplast Two-Story Tower Ferret Cage could give you just the amount of space you need for all your little ones to live comfortably. There’s a lot of room in this cage to hang hammocks and to provide your rats with lots of activities.

This multi-level cage provides many platforms and levels for your rats to explore. But due to the spacing, it’s best to allow only adult rats to live inside. This is a sanctuary for big guys and gals—lots of activities, exercise, and fun await!

This double-story cage has a durable plastic base on both sections. You can close off one area to split it in half if you need to. This is a really great feature if you have to clean one section or you need to separate your rats for any reason.

It is a large cage, so make sure you have the room in your home before purchase.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Pet Rat Cage

When you’re prepping to buy all the supplies necessary to have rats, you might be happy to know that the cage is probably the most expensive thing you’ll buy.

Rats are relatively inexpensive themselves, and you won’t need many things to get started. Just get a water bottle, food dish, hideouts, hammocks, and bedding, and you’re good to go.

Types of Rat Cages

You can choose from a variety of cages, but it will mostly depend on the number of rats you have.

Singular Units

Buying a singular-level cage is fine as long as it has the appropriate height and climbing space. Many singular units also come on wheels or have storage compartments for your rat’s belongings.

Stackable Units

Stackable units come in handy for multiple reasons. Many stackable units have an option to close off each section of the cage. You can separate your rats between males and females, or you can separate those that aren’t getting along or that might be sick.

If you have the same sex, you can let them all run around together, only separating them if the situation calls for it. It’s also a good thing to do if you’re cleaning the cage so you can prevent the rats from coming into the space.

Multi-level Units

Multi-level units are ideal for rats because it gives them so much space to explore. Plus, you can hang hammocks and other fun tunnels around the place to create quite the exploration area. Multi-level cages also help with exercise in general.

Unsuitable Cage Options for Rats

When you first purchase your little rats from a pet store or a breeder, you might think that they don’t need much space. After all, they’re probably small and don’t take up a lot of space themselves.

However, the first time you watch them scurry around, it should become apparent that rats are high-energy animals. They need lots of space to climb, jump, and tunnel to keep themselves happy. If they live in a singular-level cage with nothing to do, imagine how boring that would be for them.

Rabbit or Guinea Pig Cages

Unlike rabbits or guinea pigs, rats have the natural desire to climb. Rats also don’t have the same type of body structure, which means that they don’t get as heavy or thick as a rabbit or guinea pig.

Since they are slender and move through objects easily, your rat is more likely to escape the wider bars on a rabbit or guinea pig cage.

Gerbil or Hamster Cages

Rats don’t seem that much bigger than gerbils and hamsters, but that’s only if you’ve never seen them side by side. Rats are actually triple the size of most of those critters. Even a teddy bear hamster is significantly smaller than a full-grown rat.

Rats also have an incredible amount of chewing power, which they utilize constantly. Getting plastic gerbil cages can cause your rat to be depressed because of the lack of space and limited movement they can make. Also, most gerbil or hamster cages have less durable wiring and plastic.

Rats don’t fit into the tunnels well, especially as adults. If you have a pretty hefty rat, they can get stuck in the tunnels, which is potentially dangerous. They can also chew through the cage more easily, making escape definitely possible.

Rats and Bar Spacing

Even the chubbiest of rats might surprise you with just how effortlessly they can squeeze through small spaces. If they do, they can get into all sorts of trouble, which can be hazardous to your belongings and your rat.

Having the correct bar spacing in your cage is absolutely essential to keep your rats inside when you are away. The ideal bar spacing for rats is 0.4 to 0.6 inches.

Rats and Living Space

One single rat needs 2 cubic feet of space to live comfortably. If you have multiple rats, each needs enough space to exercise, play, and sleep.  You should double the space for each pet rat that you have. Many rodent cages come in singular or stacked designs, but all should have multiple platforms to keep your pets busy.

Rat and Floor Time

Rats need an adequate amount of time outside of the cage. The cage should be used as a safe space for your rats to do things that any animal would do in their home. But just like humans, rats need to get out of the house sometimes.

Rats need at least 1 hour out of the cage daily.

Rats and Companions

One important thing to keep in mind is that rats require at least one other companion. These creatures are incredibly social and thrive on partnerships. If you consider why they might want friends, you can understand the need for a larger cage.

Rats and Add-Ons & Cage Accessories

Rats adore tunnels, mazes, hammocks, and hideouts. There are tons of products that you can buy for your rats, but remember, your cage needs to be big enough to fit all these extras and your rats.

How We Determined This List of Rat Cages for Pet Rats

All the rat cages reviewed in this article were chosen by our writers, editors, and team of experienced veterinary professionals to ensure that they are safe and meet the care needs of your pet. When choosing which rat cages to feature, we took into account brand reputation, personal and hands-on experience, reviews from other customers, and of course, feedback from our beloved pets, to make sure to bring you only the best of the best. We at PangoVet want to give you only the best products to choose from in our reviews, to ensure that they meet your pets’ needs for optimal health and well-being.

Why Trust PangoVet?

We are a team of experienced veterinarians, writers, and editors who are pet owners ourselves, so we understand how important your pets and the products they use and consume are to you. Whether you are caring for a furry, scaly, or feathered friend, we make sure that you have honest and unbiased reviews of the top rat cages on the market, so you can make an informed decision.

Conclusion

We really think that you will love having the Prevue Pet Products Rat & Chinchilla Critter Cage. It has all the things that you could want in a rat cage, as long as you only have about three adults. It is an ideal pick for beginners and seasoned owners alike.

If you’re trying to be thrifty, check out Kaytee My First Home Habitat Multi-Level for Small Animals. It is perfectly suitable for a few rat buddies to hang out and have fun. It’s easy to clean, multi-level, and affordable.

Ultimately, your choice depends on how many rats you have and what their particular needs are. Hopefully among these reviews, you find the one that’s right for your situation.

Featured Image Credit: sakavichanka, Shutterstock