Rats are very smart animals and really do need mental stimulation. One good way to keep their minds occupied is fill up the cage with toys and decorations. Anything from bird chews to cat balls, a rat will give it some thought. You can make it even more challenging by hiding treats in some of them. Make them climb their cage in order to check out the toy, make it inviting with bright colours and textures. I’ve noticed with my rats, they love bamboo chews and bird ropes as well. Fill up the cage with fleece cubes and hammocks. Let them walk about, turning them into soft platforms, adding usable space to the cage.
There was a study a while back, using pet rats, the result proved that rats preferred a full cage loaded with toys and hammocks, igloos and hanging decorations. Turn your empty cage into an inviting oasis of fun, even if you don’t see your rat using the toy, it causes them to look at it, figure it out and take mental note of it. You can also switch it up, take out old toys and add new ones. This will keep the rats looking and exploring.
Bird chews
Cat balls
A chew made for rats called the Rat Roost, a favorite for some, but not all.
