How do I get him to exercise more?

[dan2333]

When I take my rat out of his cage, he doesn't really move around much. He just finds a corner and hangs out in one spot.

But I think he needs to exercise more by walking around more.

I don't know why rats are so lazy to exercise. I used to have a hamster and they would run around all the time, even till their last day of life.

What can I do?

 

[xxchelle]

Some rats just don't like to exercise! If you think he's getting overweight, you can alter his diet (cut out treats, etc.). If he's a healthy weight and he's happy, then I wouldn't worry!

You can try things like those plastic cat balls, with something yummy inside, that way he has to "work" to get his treat. Or feathers! Some rats LOVE to chase feathers around.

Does he have out time with a buddy? Rats will usually play with/chase each other, and that is plenty exercise!

Edit: I just saw that he lost his friend recently. Is this laziness new to him? He could just be grieving.

Also, I moved this from Memorials to Health and General Care for you.

 

[jorats]

How old is the rat, they start to slow down at around 18 months. But you can try giving him new things to explore like boxes and such. How big is his playground? Change it up a bit.

 

[victoria]

Dan, if you're getting him a younger buddy, it may be better to get two so they are not pestering him with their high energy levels but still keeping him company... that's been my experience anyway. Good luck!

 

[Moon]

Like Chelle said.... FEATHERS. Those feather cat toys can be really popular!

 

My rat Toby, who is almost a year ..is a really low energy rat, he always has been, he comes out and usually just chills out in the one spot. Occasionally he will run around, but for the most part he just kinda sits, lol. I do put him on the floor in different rooms where he can explore for exercise, but if I just put him in his out spot, he don't do much.

 

[Fidget]

You can put the food he likes best up high in a corner of the cage. The favorites at dinners and a treat or 2 during the day.. If he can't or won't climb the bars to get it you can find a couple hidey-houses of different heights (even baskets from the buckstore with doorways cut in them) and put them side by side so he has to climb them to get to the good stuff.
Have him out on your bed or couch with you when you watch tv, have a small cage (or at least something he considers a toilet) close & accessible and teach him to go there when he needs to do his business rather than doing it on the bed or couch. You can cut fruit loops in quarters and teach him that you will put one at one end of the couch, then the other so he learns to run back and forth for them.