rat ladder help

[TeaNinja]

i got a big multi level rodent cage from someone but it has no ladders. how do you suppose i can construct a good chew resistent/proof rat ladder?

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af184/teaninja/ratcage002.jpg

[NennaMeerkat]

I have an aquarium for my ratties and the best thing that is anit chew is a nice stable 2 inch piece of wood...or pieces. There are products that hold pieces of wood together that are animal safe. My dad-in-law made me a hut that doubles as a platform for my ratties and for the 2 years I have had them they have not chewed it.

Eventually you are gonna have to replace those plastic platforms that are in there. So you might consider just replacing them now with wood as well. Could just build a simple "jungle gym" of sorts pretty easy.

[Jay]

Canadian tire (hardware store) sell these things i used them for my iguanas ladder just cut to the size they are cheap and round the edges you can find un painted ones

[NennaMeerkat]

Here is an awesome website I have used in the past for a lot of things:
The Dapper Rat (http://www.dapper.com.au/index.htm)

On cage building ideas:
Build your own Grotto-style cage (http://www.dapper.com.au/cagebuild.htm)

As far as those wire things that Jay showed, you would need to cover them with something pretty sturdy. Rats can get foot sores from being on wire bars like that.

Info on that:
Bumblefoot in Pet Rats (http://exoticpets.about.com/od/careofrats/p/bumblefoot.htm)

[TeaNinja]

those are good ideas, thanks.

[Jay]

whups not experienced with rats as pets they just came to mind sorry

[NennaMeerkat]

No problem and if you need anymore advice feel free to talk to me anytime. I have owned different rats for years. Sort of a side hobby of mine. Which reminds me I need to get pictures of my two rats sometime :)

[NennaMeerkat]

whups not experienced with rats as pets they just came to mind sorry

No problem Jay :) A lot of people don't realize about it. I didn't when I first owned rats...learned the hard way. Had a rat that lost a foot because of it. Sad but lesson learned. Another reason why I don't use plastic anything for surfaces the rats stand on. Wood and glass (aquarium bottom) is what I use. I think some tire tread material is okay but I am not sure.

[stephanbakir]

I just used branches, they climb them no problem at all, even if they are vertical.

[EvaS]

You can use tubes too.Ive used those black drainage tubes, they work great for hides and ladders because they are ridged.And its cheap.