#rat-cage-calculator {
max-width: 700px;
margin: 20px auto;
padding: 20px;
background: #ffffff;
border-radius: 8px;
box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ‘Arial’, sans-serif;
color: #333333;
box-sizing: border-box;
line-height: 1.6;
}
h2 {
text-align: center;
margin: 0 0 15px;
font-size: 1.6rem;
font-weight: 600;
color: #222222;
}
p {
text-align: center;
color: #666666;
font-size: 0.9rem;
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.form-group {
margin-bottom: 20px;
position: relative;
}
label {
display: block;
margin-bottom: 6px;
font-size: 0.9rem;
font-weight: 600;
color: #333333;
}
input[type=”number”], select {
width: 100%;
padding: 10px;
border: 1px solid #dddddd;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 0.9rem;
box-sizing: border-box;
transition: border-color 0.3s, box-shadow 0.3s;
}
input[type=”number”]:focus, select:focus {
border-color: #0073aa;
box-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(0,115,170,0.3);
outline: none;
}
.input-row {
display: flex;
gap: 15px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
}
.input-row .form-group {
flex: 1;
min-width: 120px;
}
.tooltip {
position: relative;
display: inline-block;
margin-left: 5px;
cursor: help;
}
.tooltip .tooltip-text {
visibility: hidden;
width: 220px;
background: #333333;
color: #ffffff;
text-align: center;
border-radius: 4px;
padding: 8px;
position: absolute;
z-index: 10;
bottom: 125%;
left: 50%;
transform: translateX(-50%);
opacity: 0;
transition: opacity 0.3s;
font-size: 0.75rem;
}
.tooltip:hover .tooltip-text {
visibility: visible;
opacity: 1;
}
.cage-diagram {
margin: 15px 0;
text-align: center;
}
.cage-diagram svg {
max-width: 100%;
height: auto;
}
.button-group {
display: flex;
gap: 12px;
justify-content: center;
margin: 20px 0;
}
button {
padding: 10px 20px;
border: none;
border-radius: 4px;
cursor: pointer;
font-size: 0.9rem;
font-weight: 500;
transition: background 0.3s, transform 0.2s;
}
button:hover {
transform: translateY(-1px);
}
#calculate-btn {
background: #0073aa;
color: #ffffff;
}
#calculate-btn:hover {
background: #005177;
}
#reset-btn {
background: #6c757d;
color: #ffffff;
}
#reset-btn:hover {
background: #5a6268;
}
#copy-btn {
background: #28a745;
color: #ffffff;
}
#copy-btn:hover {
background: #218838;
}
#result {
margin-top: 20px;
padding: 15px;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 0.9rem;
line-height: 1.6;
min-height: 30px;
opacity: 0;
transition: opacity 0.5s;
}
#result.show {
opacity: 1;
}
#result.success {
background: #e6f4ea;
border: 1px solid #28a745;
}
#result.error {
background: #f8d7da;
border: 1px solid #dc3545;
}
.notes {
margin-top: 15px;
font-size: 0.85rem;
}
.notes ul {
padding-left: 20px;
}
.learn-more {
display: block;
text-align: center;
margin-top: 15px;
font-size: 0.9rem;
color: #0073aa;
text-decoration: none;
}
.learn-more:hover {
text-decoration: underline;
}
noscript {
display: block;
color: #dc3545;
text-align: center;
margin-top: 15px;
font-size: 0.9rem;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
#rat-cage-calculator {
margin: 10px;
padding: 15px;
}
h2 {
font-size: 1.3rem;
}
.input-row {
flex-direction: column;
}
.button-group {
flex-direction: column;
}
button {
width: 100%;
}
.cage-diagram svg {
max-width: 80%;
}
}
Rat Cage Calculator
Calculate the ideal cage size for your pet rats to ensure a comfortable and enriched living environment. Each rat requires approximately 2.5 cubic feet of space and 202 square inches of floor area.
Inches
Centimeters
Multi-level cage with platform
Enter cage dimensions and number of rats, then click “Calculate”.
Learn More About Rat Care
JavaScript is disabled. Please enable it to use the calculator.
(function() {
document.addEventListener(‘DOMContentLoaded’, function() {
const calculator = document.getElementById(‘rat-cage-calculator’);
if (!calculator) {
console.error(‘Rat Cage Calculator container not found.’);
return;
}
const form = document.getElementById(‘calc-form’);
const unitSelect = document.getElementById(‘unit’);
const lengthInput = document.getElementById(‘length’);
const widthInput = document.getElementById(‘width’);
const heightInput = document.getElementById(‘height’);
const ratsInput = document.getElementById(‘rats’);
const resultDiv = document.getElementById(‘result’);
if (!form || !unitSelect || !lengthInput || !widthInput || !heightInput || !ratsInput || !resultDiv) {
console.error(‘Required DOM elements missing.’);
resultDiv.innerHTML = ‘Error: Calculator failed to initialize. Please refresh the page.’;
resultDiv.className = ‘error’;
return;
}
function calculate() {
resultDiv.className = ”;
resultDiv.innerHTML = ”;
resultDiv.classList.remove(‘show’);
try {
const unit = unitSelect.value;
const length = parseFloat(lengthInput.value) || 0;
const width = parseFloat(widthInput.value) || 0;
const height = parseFloat(heightInput.value) || 0;
const rats = parseInt(ratsInput.value) || 0;
if (length <= 0 || width <= 0 || height <= 0) {
throw new Error('Please enter valid cage dimensions (positive numbers).');
}
if (rats 10) {
throw new Error(‘Please enter a number of rats between 1 and 10.’);
}
// Convert to cubic feet
let volumeCuFt;
if (unit === ‘inches’) {
volumeCuFt = (length * width * height) / 1728; // 12^3
} else {
volumeCuFt = (length * width * height) / 28316.8; // cm^3 to cu ft
}
volumeCuFt = Math.round(volumeCuFt * 100) / 100;
const floorArea = unit === ‘inches’ ? length * width : (length * width) / 6.452; // cm^2 to in^2
const minFloorArea = 202 * rats; // 202 sq in per rat
const minVolumePerRat = 2.5;
const maxRats = Math.floor(volumeCuFt / minVolumePerRat);
const isSuitable = volumeCuFt >= rats * minVolumePerRat && floorArea >= minFloorArea;
let suitabilityMessage = isSuitable
? `This cage is suitable for ${rats} rat${rats === 1 ? ” : ‘s’}.`
: `This cage is too small for ${rats} rat${rats === 1 ? ” : ‘s’}. Consider a larger cage.`;
let message = `
Cage Volume: ${volumeCuFt} cubic feet
Floor Area: ${Math.round(floorArea)} square inches (Minimum required: ${minFloorArea} square inches)
Maximum Rats Supported: ${maxRats} rat${maxRats === 1 ? ” : ‘s’}
Suitability Status: ${suitabilityMessage}
Floor Area: ${Math.round(floorArea)} square inches (Minimum required: ${minFloorArea} square inches)
Maximum Rats Supported: ${maxRats} rat${maxRats === 1 ? ” : ‘s’}
Suitability Status: ${suitabilityMessage}
Enrichment & Care Recommendations:
`;
resultDiv.innerHTML = message;
resultDiv.className = isSuitable ? ‘success’ : ‘error’;
setTimeout(() => resultDiv.classList.add(‘show’), 100);
document.getElementById(‘copy-btn’).addEventListener(‘click’, () => {
const text = `
Rat Cage Calculator Results
Cage Volume: ${volumeCuFt} cubic feet
Floor Area: ${Math.round(floorArea)} square inches (Minimum required: ${minFloorArea} square inches)
Maximum Rats Supported: ${maxRats} rat${maxRats === 1 ? ” : ‘s’}
Suitability Status: ${suitabilityMessage}
Enrichment & Care Recommendations:
– Wire Platforms: Add multi-level platforms for climbing and exercise. (https://www.omnicalculator.com/biology/rat-cage)
– Tunnels & Boxes: Provide hiding spots and exploration areas. (https://www.omnicalculator.com/biology/rat-cage)
– Bedding: Use paper or cardboard bedding; avoid wood shavings to prevent respiratory issues. (https://www.animallama.com/rat-cage-calculator/)
– Bar Spacing: Ensure bar spacing is ≤0.5 inches to prevent escapes. (https://www.animallama.com/rat-cage-calculator/)
– Social Needs: Keep rats in pairs or small groups for mental health and companionship. (https://www.omnicalculator.com/biology/rat-cage)
`.trim();
navigator.clipboard.writeText(text).then(() => {
alert(‘Results copied to clipboard!’);
}).catch(() => {
alert(‘Failed to copy results. Please copy manually.’);
});
});
} catch (error) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = `Error: ${error.message}`;
resultDiv.className = ‘error’;
setTimeout(() => resultDiv.classList.add(‘show’), 100);
}
}
function reset() {
form.reset();
resultDiv.className = ”;
resultDiv.innerHTML = ‘Enter cage dimensions and number of rats, then click “Calculate”.’;
resultDiv.classList.remove(‘show’);
lengthInput.focus();
}
document.getElementById(‘calculate-btn’).addEventListener(‘click’, calculate);
document.getElementById(‘reset-btn’).addEventListener(‘click’, reset);
form.addEventListener(‘keypress’, (e) => {
if (e.key === ‘Enter’ && e.target.tagName !== ‘BUTTON’) {
e.preventDefault();
calculate();
}
});
});
})();
- Wire Platforms: Add multi-level platforms for climbing and exercise. (Source)
- Tunnels & Boxes: Provide hiding spots and exploration areas. (Source)
- Bedding: Use paper or cardboard bedding; avoid wood shavings to prevent respiratory issues. (Source)
- Bar Spacing: Ensure bar spacing is ≤0.5 inches to prevent escapes. (Source)
- Social Needs: Keep rats in pairs or small groups for mental health and companionship. (Source)