Rats do well in wire pet cages with horizontal bares that allow them to climb. 1/2 inch spacing is preferable. Tall cages with ramps and platforms are great for more than one rat. Minimum cage size should be 12×24 inches (or 2 square feet) of floor space. Remember that rats do better in pairs or more so at least try to keep a pair and provide space cage space accordingly.
Try to cover your rats cage wire floor with something solid like cloroplast (a plastic sheeting material), a thin sheet of wood or similar. Wire balconies and shelves should be fine grid 1/2/x1/2 wire or again, covered with some kind of sheeting material. This protects your rats feet from being damaged by walking on the cages wire.
Your rats should of course have nest boxes and these can be home made or bought at the store. Cardboard works well but gets chewed up quickly. Ceramic pots and plastic pipe also work well. Rats are climbers so they should have lots stairs, platforms, ropes, tunnels (tubes, plastic pipe) and a plastic exercise wheel.
You rat cage be located in a fairly quiet area but not entirely hidden from all household activity. Rats are generally nocturnal and are most active at night so you probably won’t want them near a bedroom. Locate them above your other household pets travel paths away from direct sunlight and any drafts.
