Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / June 2007

That's happened to us before. I can't think of what can be done with
your existing cage (I'm not very handy at all). We ended up getting a
temporary cage for the young rats and when they were big enough moving
them to the big cage. I take it that Jenny is still a semi grown
youngster?

Dewi

OK, we once had a problem with the cats getting into the garden, so we went
to the hardware store. They had some mesh stuff that we covered the area
with. GO have a look see and good luck.

Lynn
kitty
I won a fully assembled Coast cage on eBay.  The seller's feedback
contained numerous comments about how much the winner's rat(s) liked the
cage in addition to the usual "fast shipper, great cage" ones.

I purchased the necessities for the cage, including a wonderful wooden
shelter that I like a lot better than the plastic "igloos" I've seen.
The cage has the Carefresh litter, the rat blocks, the water bottle, the
chew sticks, etc.

The pet store clerk favored a small black and white female I've named
Jenny.  Jenny has obviously become accustomed to being handled, and the
clerk recommended her over a pretty but skittish female.  When I got
Jenny home in her pet store box, she showed no fear when I removed her
from it.  I proudly put her in her new home, only to have walk right
through the bars.  They're too wide!

Does anyone have any suggestions for safely shoring up the sides to make
the cage escape proof?

http://community.webtv.net/Dalesdomain/CatchMyFancy

I recently had that exact same problem.  I went out and bought some of that
screen replacement stuff (it comes in a roll for like 3 bucks) and cut it and
molded it around the cage.  It worked perfectly, and I had no problems after
that with the little ones getting out.  Its a lot cheaper and easier than
building a new cage.  I just folded the edges a few times over so that there
werent any loose strings to hurt the rats.  Then I tied it to make sure they
stayed on.  All in all it took probably 20 minutes including clean-up, and
only cost 3 bucks.  Good luck!  And keep us posted on Jenny.