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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I am super grateful to have just gotten a used double critter nation for an amazing price, however it did not come with the platforms and ramps and I am having some difficulty with ideas filling up the space.

This is the first level
Pet supply Mesh Building Art City

Though there are a few accessories here I feel like there are not enough breakfalls. I am thinking of getting some (covered) smaller wire platforms and zip-tying them to the corners so that there are more high-up hangout places, and so that I have additional places to hang things from. That, or I could just buy the platforms that usually come with the cage then rearrange everything else.

This is the second level
Wood Window Brickwork Brick Rectangle

Obviously, this level is nowhere near complete, and any ideas are useful. Again, I definitely need some platforms and want to get either off-brand or MidWest platforms to act as breakfalls and places to attach hammocks.

If anyone has a Critter Nation without the platforms and ramps it would be great if you could attach some pictures for inspiration. Or if anyone has general advice or critiques, I would greatly appreciate them.
 

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Here are some things you can add:

You could put an igloo like this in the bedding :

https://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-100079168-Igloo-Hideout-Large/dp/B00068K132/ref=sr_1_3?crid=XV9KZCWA5CHQ&keywords=pet+igloo&qid=1672803242&sprefix=pet+igloo,aps,156&sr=8-3

I put an igloo like this into a cuddle cup (below), and my rats, which live outside, now sleep in it every day:


I also bought a dog rope and used some key rings to hang it across the cage, my rats love climbing it! You could also try hanging some of these nets, though they are a bit small so you might need a few of them:


You can also attach a triple layered hammock on the second level (or anywhere else) like this one:


You can also hang some dangly chew toys, I use string to tie together a bunch of apple sticks and attach it to the cage and my rats love chewing the bark off the sticks. There are also tunnels you could put at the bottom:


A ball pit is also a fun option, if you want to spend the rest of your time putting the balls back into the pit after your rats have thrown them out, I used a red plastic basket with some pompoms inside!

These items can be found in many stores, I just quickly found them on amazon.

These are totally optional and I want to say your little black rat is absolutely adorable! (Sorry if I missed a rat in the pics)

Fawn Rodent Whiskers Rat Snout


Blizzard chilling in her hammock
 

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Looks good so far! A cheap way to make ledges is get these plastic drawer organizers from a dollar store, drill a few holes in the sides and attach with zip ties. If you don't have access to a drill you could probly just wrap extra long zip ties around the whole thing to attach.
Vertebrate Mesh Mammal Wood Pet supply

Purple Violet Electric blue Linens Bag
 

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Twig and Sprig 💕
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Baskets, ropes, hammocks, work well! The dollar store sells good baskets and buckets! And you can attach the baskets to the side of the cage using zip ties, and fill the basket with fleece or some other nesting material! You can also add a dig box by filling a container with 3-6 inches of dirt and you can add rat safe plants! 💛
 

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Replacement [add on shelves] are pretty cheap but with a few more hammocks, perches, branches, accessories, etc., they may not be necessary.

Yeah that 👆 Replacement shelves and ramps are available but not necessary if you put ledges, ramps, etc on the sides of the cages. Of course, you'd have to buy these things if you're not handy enough to DIY. Lots of places to buy such things online. There's a bunch of Etsy shops that sell all things for critter cages in various sizes and some may even custom make something for you.

The trays are pretty shallow and won't hold the bedding in. You may want to put scatter guards on all four sides of the cages, both the top level and bottom level, to keep bedding (and poop) off the floor. You can buy scatter guards online. I bought a set from an Etsy shop. I also have dig boxes inside the cage which helps contain messes.

I personally don't want my Critter Nation Double to be jammed packed with accessories. Too many things to clean and replace. I've seen cages on Pintrest that are packed full of stuff and the whole set up just looks cluttered and hard to clean and maintain.


Looks good so far! A cheap way to make ledges is get these plastic drawer organizers from a dollar store, drill a few holes in the sides and attach with zip ties.
@Fofo
Do you use removable zip ties so the baskets and other items are easily removed for cleaning or replacing?
 

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These Etsy sellers are popular with thousands of sales and 5 star reviews:

 

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Do you use removable zip ties so the baskets and other items are easily removed for cleaning or replacing?
I don't have removable ones but I stick a knife in the end of it to depress the little lock tab and then I can pull them off and re-use them. Kind of a pain but I don't take the ledges off very often unless I'm doing a total cage make over. I just wipe them down to clean them.
 

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Discussion Starter · #10 ·
The trays are pretty shallow and won't hold the bedding in. You may want to put scatter guards on all four sides of the cages, both the top level and bottom level, to keep bedding (and poop) off the floor. You can buy scatter guards online. I bought a set from an Etsy shop. I also have dig boxes inside the cage which helps contain messes.
Yea lol I learned the hard way not to put bedding in a tray only about a cm in height. I bought a few yards of fabric and will be using that in the bottom of the larger two platforms and putting bedding in any hides and platform baskets.
 

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One of the cheapest and easiest options is making a “ziggurat” or step-pyramid out of used cardboard boxes, with wider/deeper boxes on the bottom working up to the smallest boxes on top. A bit of duct tape to attach the boxes, with cutouts on the outsides for doors, and cutouts inside to create holes leading between levels (making sure the holes are staggered so rats don’t fall through several boxes at once), and you have a fun ratty dwelling with lots of room to climb, play tag, stash food and take naps. Best of all, it’s all made just using things around the house, doesn’t have to be attached to the cage, and can be constructed to fit into a corner and go as high or as wide as you want (depending on your supply of empty boxes, of course). I’ve never known rats who didn’t love these types of ratty forts. Below is an example of a rather elaborate cardboard box fort in a play area, but something similar (smaller of course) can be fit into a DCN.
Property Cabinetry Interior design Wood Flooring
 
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