How often are your ratties let out for playtime?

[jennottawa]

I am a new rat owner... of two beautiful girlies, Snowy and Lily.

I was just wondering how often people have their rats out each day? Mine seem to spend a LOT of time in their hammocks They are out at least once a day, but sometimes not for too long (10 min or so), and other times for longer....(hour or so). depending on the day.

I also have their cage next to a table where I often leave the cage door open and they can scurry about and check things on the table out... (boxes with holes and a tube etc). if they ventured a little further, they'd get onto the couch from there too, but they don't seem too bothered. I will usually give them their veggies on this table, to encourage them to come out.

They are around 4 months old.

Jenn :?

 

[seymore3]

I take mine out for about an hour every evening.I set up their toys on the bed and let them run around.

 

Mine get out for 3 hours a day.

 

[MMak]

My boys use to get out 2-4 hours a day, however lately time has been much more limited.
I think letting them out for ATLEAST 30 minutes each day is fair, but then again...every rat varies.. some need more free-ranging time then others
and some don't need as much.
Yours being babies (and both females) they probably have a ton of energy to burn.. I would try to let them out as much as you can, but I don't
think you should beat yourself up if you have the odd day where time is a little tight.

 

[jorats]

Exercise, human interaction and "change of scenery" stimulation is very important to rats and their well being. I take my gang out at least 1 hour a day, sometimes more.

 

[MomRat]

Jo, would you draw a line between TAKING them out for out time, and LETTING them out? We noticed when our boys were over 18 months, even if their cage was open all day, they almost never came out. The girls will bounce on the couch for an hour or more, going in and out of their cage to the couch via ramp. If you have rats that just want to sleep, are you obligated to make them sleep somewhere other than their cage for an hour? :giggle:

 

[Dahlas]

I think it depends on the rat...I have a couple that would rather spend time cuddling and being loved then running around....and others that need the running, jumping and playing. I take mine out everyday....and when they are young they get lots of running and playing time....when they are older more cuddle time then actually free ranging time....

 

[Dazzle87]

2-4 hours a day, usually 3-4 though. I spend time with them while doing homework, watching tv, relaxing, etc. I believe you're supposed to aim for an hour a day.

 

[jorats]

Jo, would you draw a line between TAKING them out for out time, and LETTING them out? We noticed when our boys were over 18 months, even if their cage was open all day, they almost never came out. The girls will bounce on the couch for an hour or more, going in and out of their cage to the couch via ramp. If you have rats that just want to sleep, are you obligated to make them sleep somewhere other than their cage for an hour? :giggle:

The way it's set up for me, the rats have access to their cage during out time. If they choose not to come out, I don't force them, I do try to entice them. I've never had a rat choose not to come out so I don't know what I would do in that situation. I wouldn't want to stress them out, that's for sure.

 

[Kimber]

My guys are out for an average of an hour a day (sometimes more...if we're watching a movie they will be out for the entire thing on the couch with us). It's been hard for me because until Thursday I had three single males to get out each day so there is 3 hrs (minimum) of ratty time. Now we have just the two singles it will be longer and once they're getting along it will be double the time since we won't have to split it...ahh, the day when I can have them out together is something to look forward to

 

[Bamboo]

I usually try to do an hour or so a day. If they seem to be having fun (and I have time) we'll go longer, but they get at least an hour with the door open. I would say that it depends on the rat(s) too. I had a pair of boys a few years ago that would want to go back to their cage after only 10-15 minutes. I would take them out and they would sit on my lap or shoulder but then, like clockwork they would be ready to go home and sleep not long after. I would leave the door open but they simply weren't interested in running around and playing with toys. I was actually a little worried at the time, so I was getting them new toys almost everyday to encourage them to explore a little bit. They would just look at the new toy, climb on it, pee on it and that was that :wallbang: :giggle:

With them, I eventually changed the schedule to a whole bunch of 5-10 minutes cuddle sessions a day, rather then one long hour. This worked a lot better for them. They did enjoy sitting with me, but they were just "home boys". This is actually sort of what I've started doing with the girls now that they're older.

 

[MissGuardian]

I usually have them out for AT LEAST one hour, but often they have the opportunity to be out for 3-5 hours..
They usually end up sleeping on top of the cage tho

 

[jennottawa]

Thanks for all the responses..... I'll give more opportunities, and have them out a bit longer

 

[Rattus]

I have a play area set up for my girls.. and When I can watch them more closely I let them run around the living room and they are the only pets we have so it makes it easy. Usually they get no less then 3 -5 hours a day out. Sometimes I have their cage door open all day and they choose to just sit inside the cage still LOL

 

[toeberto]

We let Sushi and Saké out every day (sometimes multiple times a day), but the time varies. Sometimes they'll be out for just a few minutes while I am folding laundry or whatever, other times they'll be out for a couple of hours while I am reading. We try to let them dictate how long they are out - usually when they are ready to go back they start hanging out on the edge of the bed closest to their cage, will climb on anyone/thing they can to get closer to their cage, etc.

Sarah
http://bentorats.blogspot.com/