How big cages do you need to maitain laboratory animals? Which cage parameters are important in keeping animals? We present below data based on Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific provides regarding cage sizes for laboratory animals in stock and during procedures. Original full text of the directive you will find here. Look at the listed below basic parameteres of cages for mice, rats, hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs. See our offer of conventional cages and IVC individually ventilated cages systems.
Cages for laboratory mice
| Body weight (g) of mice |
Floor area per animal (cm2) |
Minimum enclosure size (cm2) |
Minimal enclosure height |
| up to 20 |
60 |
330 |
12 cm |
| over 20 to 25 |
70 |
330 |
12 cm |
| over 25 to 30 |
80 |
330 |
12 cm |
| over 30 |
100 |
330 |
12 cm |
Cages for laboratory rats
| Body weight (g) of rats |
Floor area per animal (cm2) |
Minimum enclosure size (cm2) |
Minimal enclosure height (cm) |
| up to 200 |
200 |
800 |
18 |
| over 200 to 300 |
250 |
800 |
18 |
| over 300 to 400 |
350 |
800 |
18 |
| over 400 to 600 |
450 |
800 |
18 |
| over 600 |
600 |
1500 |
18 |
Cages for hamsters
| Body weight (g) of hamsters |
Floor area per animal (cm2) |
Minimum enclosure size (cm2) |
Minimal enclosure height (cm) |
| up to 60 |
150 |
800 |
14 |
| over 60 to 100 |
200 |
800 |
14 |
| over 100 |
250 |
800 |
14 |
Cages for guinea pigs
| Body weight (g) of guinea pigs |
Floor area per animal (cm2) |
Minimum enclosure size (cm2) |
Minimal enclosure height (cm) |
| up to 200 |
200 |
1800 |
23 |
| over 200 to 300 |
350 |
1800 |
23 |
| over 300 to 450 |
500 |
1800 |
23 |
| over 450 to 700 |
700 |
2500 |
23 |
| over 700 |
900 |
2500 |
23 |
Cages for rabbits
| Body weight (kg) of rabbit |
Minimum floor area for one or two socially harmonious animalsl (cm2) |
Minimum enclosure size (cm2) |
Minimal cage height (cm) |
| less than 3 |
3500 |
800 |
45 |
| from 3 to 5 |
4200 |
800 |
45 |
| over 5 |
5400 |
800 |
60 |
