alosha
Well-Known Member
I am going to be getting two adult male ratties in 2-3 weeks (my first rats ever, although I've had mice and hamsters in the past) and I am trying to decide between several travel/carriers. I already have their "home" cage (a single level Critter Nation), but I want a carrier to bring them home in, and to carry them to the vet if they need it, or to put them in there while cleaning the "home" cage, or just a generic temporary cage for multiple uses.
I really want to get a quality carrier so that I won't have to replace it because it's crappy or been chewed through. I've heard stories about rats chewing through plastic dog/cat carriers (during overnight stays), and I'd want the flexibility of being able to transport babies (if I volunteer as a driver for Little Mischief Rescue, for example, which I'm considering) so the bar spacing has to be more rat-appropriate. I'd also love it if it was light weight and collapsible (my apartment is small and storage space is limited), but I realize I may not be able to get everything I want in a single carrier.
I guess when push comes to shove the most important thing is temporary transportation within town for medical care, etc., but IF they ever need a hospital cage or a long-term guest cage (if I take them to a rat-sitter when I go on vacation for example) it would be nice not to have to buy or borrow a third cage.
These are what I've been considering:
From Quality Cage (http://www.qualitycage.com):
1) CC-0 Carrier - Powder Coated White (http://qualitycage.com/index.php?main_p ... ts_id=1567)
This carrier measures 6"w x 12"d x 6"h, with both full-opening, drop-open door at the back, and slide-up front door. Made of sturdy, 16 gauge, ½" x 1" wire, galvanized steel, and features a removable metal tray. Powder coated white.
This one is small and convenient, but I wonder if it's maybe a bit *too* small for two rats? If it's just used as a carrier for 30-60 mins at a time maybe it's not too bad.
2) 10" x 14" x 10" Pet Carrier (http://qualitycage.com/index.php?main_p ... cts_id=845)
Larger version of our CC-0 Carrier. Measures 10"w x 14"d x 10"h, with both full-opening, drop-open door at the back, and slide-up front door. Made of sturdy, 16 gauge, ½" x 1" wire, galvanized steel, and features a removable metal tray. Powder coated white.
This one seems like a pretty happy medium between conveniently small and comfortably big enough (if it's even big enough to make a difference?). I wonder if the rats can figure out how to slide up the white metal plate to reveal the round hole (see product page). I'm sure I could wire it down somehow...
3) RT-1810 Collapsible Rat Carrier - Powder Coated White (http://qualitycage.com/index.php?main_p ... ts_id=2330)
The RT-1810PC-WHI Collapsible Rat Carrier is 18" wide x 10" deep x 10" high. It is made of ½" x 1" 16 gauge wire, powder coated white, and folds down to store in it's own 3" high tray. Suitable for rats, gerbils, large hamsters, and baby chinchillas. Not recommended for adult chinchillas, degus, cavies, or rabbits. If not in stock, please allow 6 to 8 weeks for Powder Coating.
I like the fact that this is collapsible but I sorta wonder if a collapsible one is less secure (?), plus maybe it's too big? Might be pretty heavy with a big metal pan like that? What if I want to escape a fire, will I have time to "un-collapse" it, put the rats inside, and haul that heavy thing with me? Maybe it's not *that* heavy I don't know, but I've seen quality cages and Martin's cages next to each other and quality's bars are a bit heavier, plus with the metal pan.
Or Martin's (http://www.martinscages.com/products/cages/travel/):
[EDIT: I would have the Martin's carriers modified to have 1" x 1/2" bar spacing]
I think Martin's would be more lightweight, but the size seems a bit bigger (maybe too big? I can't decide whether I want to compromise convenient small carrier size with one that could be used as a hospital cage.) and I don't like the appearance as much.
4) The Carrier
* 18" x 11" x 11"
* Flip-top lid
* Drop-in 2½" plastic pan
* Designed for safe and comfortable travel
* PVC-coated wire only
* Better than a traditional pet carrier; allows for better air circulation and view
5) Small Collapsible Carrier (CC-2414)
* 24" x 14" x 14"
* Flip-top opening
* Drop-in plastic pan
* Collapses flat for convenient storage
This size seems excessive, and not convenient at all for vet trips, but it's Martin's smallest collapsible.
What do all of you think? Do any of you have any of these travelers? What do you think of them? How important is it to have a larger "hospital cage" as opposed to just a small short-distance travel one?
I really want to get a quality carrier so that I won't have to replace it because it's crappy or been chewed through. I've heard stories about rats chewing through plastic dog/cat carriers (during overnight stays), and I'd want the flexibility of being able to transport babies (if I volunteer as a driver for Little Mischief Rescue, for example, which I'm considering) so the bar spacing has to be more rat-appropriate. I'd also love it if it was light weight and collapsible (my apartment is small and storage space is limited), but I realize I may not be able to get everything I want in a single carrier.
I guess when push comes to shove the most important thing is temporary transportation within town for medical care, etc., but IF they ever need a hospital cage or a long-term guest cage (if I take them to a rat-sitter when I go on vacation for example) it would be nice not to have to buy or borrow a third cage.
These are what I've been considering:
From Quality Cage (http://www.qualitycage.com):
1) CC-0 Carrier - Powder Coated White (http://qualitycage.com/index.php?main_p ... ts_id=1567)
This carrier measures 6"w x 12"d x 6"h, with both full-opening, drop-open door at the back, and slide-up front door. Made of sturdy, 16 gauge, ½" x 1" wire, galvanized steel, and features a removable metal tray. Powder coated white.
This one is small and convenient, but I wonder if it's maybe a bit *too* small for two rats? If it's just used as a carrier for 30-60 mins at a time maybe it's not too bad.
2) 10" x 14" x 10" Pet Carrier (http://qualitycage.com/index.php?main_p ... cts_id=845)
Larger version of our CC-0 Carrier. Measures 10"w x 14"d x 10"h, with both full-opening, drop-open door at the back, and slide-up front door. Made of sturdy, 16 gauge, ½" x 1" wire, galvanized steel, and features a removable metal tray. Powder coated white.
This one seems like a pretty happy medium between conveniently small and comfortably big enough (if it's even big enough to make a difference?). I wonder if the rats can figure out how to slide up the white metal plate to reveal the round hole (see product page). I'm sure I could wire it down somehow...
3) RT-1810 Collapsible Rat Carrier - Powder Coated White (http://qualitycage.com/index.php?main_p ... ts_id=2330)
The RT-1810PC-WHI Collapsible Rat Carrier is 18" wide x 10" deep x 10" high. It is made of ½" x 1" 16 gauge wire, powder coated white, and folds down to store in it's own 3" high tray. Suitable for rats, gerbils, large hamsters, and baby chinchillas. Not recommended for adult chinchillas, degus, cavies, or rabbits. If not in stock, please allow 6 to 8 weeks for Powder Coating.
I like the fact that this is collapsible but I sorta wonder if a collapsible one is less secure (?), plus maybe it's too big? Might be pretty heavy with a big metal pan like that? What if I want to escape a fire, will I have time to "un-collapse" it, put the rats inside, and haul that heavy thing with me? Maybe it's not *that* heavy I don't know, but I've seen quality cages and Martin's cages next to each other and quality's bars are a bit heavier, plus with the metal pan.
Or Martin's (http://www.martinscages.com/products/cages/travel/):
[EDIT: I would have the Martin's carriers modified to have 1" x 1/2" bar spacing]
I think Martin's would be more lightweight, but the size seems a bit bigger (maybe too big? I can't decide whether I want to compromise convenient small carrier size with one that could be used as a hospital cage.) and I don't like the appearance as much.
4) The Carrier
* 18" x 11" x 11"
* Flip-top lid
* Drop-in 2½" plastic pan
* Designed for safe and comfortable travel
* PVC-coated wire only
* Better than a traditional pet carrier; allows for better air circulation and view
5) Small Collapsible Carrier (CC-2414)
* 24" x 14" x 14"
* Flip-top opening
* Drop-in plastic pan
* Collapses flat for convenient storage
This size seems excessive, and not convenient at all for vet trips, but it's Martin's smallest collapsible.
What do all of you think? Do any of you have any of these travelers? What do you think of them? How important is it to have a larger "hospital cage" as opposed to just a small short-distance travel one?