Playing with your rats

[nethz29]

Hi,

I'm afraid my rats may not be receiving enough activity. I let them run around my room every day but the only toy they have is a hammock. Are there any home made things I can try that they will enjoy playing with and does anyone have suggestions for ways I can better interact with my rats to keep them entertained.

Matt

 

[lilratsy43]

Toliet paper rolls
paper towel rolls
tissues
more hammocks
a wheel - be sure its big enough for rats
houses
tissue boxes
tubes and tunnels (hardware store is the best place for these)

A picture of your cage could help...

Generally when my rats are out, they are very happy to use me as a jungle gym.

 

[jorats]

And with you sitting in the middle of the room makes for one huge jungle gym for the rats. :thumbup:
If you add what lilratsy has posted, your rats will be in rattie paradise.

 

[Rachael]

You could buy anything like tubes etc.... but some homemade ideas are toilet peper rolls with some toilet paper left on, it's fun for them to drag it off. Sometimes I accidently ( ) leave a roll on top of their cage and come back to find it's been destroyed which of course was never my intention Or you could get a bit of paper, fill it with treats, fold it in on itself and close it up. They can have fun tearing it open to get inside. Any boxes you have laying around from cereal boxes to massive boxes that you've had something delivered in. With bigger boxes I have cut a ton of shapes on the top for them to bounce in and out of etc.

 

[Argent]

Boxes. Lol my boys are soooo happy in boxes XD Growing some cat grass for them is also very stimulating for them (if you can stand the mess!)

 

[nethz29]

Thank you all SO much for your suggestions, that helps so much

 

[nethz29]

ALSO

how much time do you spend per day with your rats?

 

[Rachael]

It would depend on how many rats you have. I would cuddle them as much as you can during the day, I'm constantly lifting my ratties out, quick cuddle and kiss and back home again. As for playtime just for as long as they want, a lot of people ssay around an hour but not all of my rats like that length of time, they prefer 10 mins a few times a few.

 

[Fidget]

Everything lilratsy said - And anything that encourages sharing fun is the best!
For time out-of-cage - Have them with you (bed or couch) when you're out watching TV, good time to interact. A Blanket they can climb under is a favorite. I'd put your small vet-visiting-cage there too if you want to encourage them to exercise & climb, even some healthy treats on the top of your head and let them know they're there (or if you're not allergic hide them in your clothes different places every time so the kids know to hunt for them). Anything they've never seen before is interesting for a bit too. Necklaces. Something on the end of a string you can pull around. A bandaid on your finger.
Kids that don't move around much - I'd put a hidey-house (upturned buck store basket with a big door cut in it) under a blanket, they like a change of pace once they feel safe there. You can reach in and pet them, or play tickle & grab. Put a blanket on your lap or chest and have them under it there, peek in for kisses during commercials.
For time in-cage - levels are the best, make them with hidey-houses of varying heights & hammocks. The end of a leg of sweatpants or tights clipped solidly to to top of the cage is fun to go inside. Wooden chew-toys.
In-cage or out - One of those old metal screw-together tea dunkers can hold things that smell good and encourage interest. Sheets of newspaper to climb in, drag around & shred.. Throw in all the wrapping paper on birthday's & xmas!

 

[RatsForever]

Boxes and hammocks are a huge hit with my crew. I have two girls who will build nests with shredded paper. I also buy wooden toys for birds and my gang go nuts with the chewing. I also buy bird ropes which they love to climb on. I also make pinatas - empty roll of toilet paper, stuffed with treats, close both ends of the roll, and toss roll among rats. I have three girls who will let me roll them over onto their backs and tickle (or kiss) their bellies - they'll run off and then pounce on my hand.

 

[jorats]

I take my rats out on average 1 to 2 hours each day but if I had more time, I'd have them out longer.

 

[nethz29]

I think they need some chew toys, any suggestions?

Matt

 

[Argent]

Ratties tend to not really go for the mineral chews, and some won't even chew wood blocks either, but my guys go nuts for these cereal chews http://www.ratwarehouse.com/shop_detail.php?item=273&cat=23 (either those or there's some bigger hedgehog shaped ones) - they usually gang up and drag the poor thing into the nearest hidey hole and it disappears by the next day, it's so funny to watch them!

-Oops! Forgot to add this too! http://www.zootoo.com/smallpets_foododdsandends/ecotritionsnakshaklog-zpagez4-prb99270 - my boys just used one of these to hide in at first, but temptation set in and they gradually gnawed it away to nothing

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

I think they need some chew toys, any suggestions?

Matt

If at all possible go to Ren's Pet Supply store and the wooden toys that are shaped and painted like fruits. The package says Toys from Trees on it and they are made by Petville. These toys are like rat crack...my boys carry them around everywhere and stash them like treats! Ren's also has a good selection of wooden bird toys to choose from too!

 

Mine go crazy for these things:

Mineral Chews
Apple Sticks
Snack shack logs
Frozen Fruit
Wooded bird chew toys
Cardboard Boxes

 

[simmysyn]

Here is a great site I found back when I still had rats. It's about 23 ideas of home made toys and cage decorations, as well as out-time toys and ideas. My girls loved the digging box, the fort, and sock it to me!

Not only does it have the ideas, but it tells you how to make them and includes pictures for lols and reference.

(link: http://www.dapper.com.au/toys.htm )

 

[LadyGray]

Here is a great site I found back when I still had rats. It's about 23 ideas of home made toys and cage decorations, as well as out-time toys and ideas. My girls loved the digging box, the fort, and sock it to me!

Not only does it have the ideas, but it tells you how to make them and includes pictures for lols and reference.

(link: http://www.dapper.com.au/toys.htm )

Great link !

I was thinking about the layout of my Ratties cage, it's huge, but i've no idea what to do with the space! when I put all their toys in, it looks so cramped, but without it, I think they might get bored. How much open space do they need? shall I fill every bit of their cage with toys if I can, or shall I give them some empty space here and there?

Another thing; I was thinking of taking out the middle level of my cage, so that getting to the top is more of a fun obstacle using ropes and hammocks etc, is this a good idea or should I ensure they always have easy access to everywhere in their cage?

I also brought them some tubes but I think they're too small - they seem to love them but I don't want them to be squished or anything! can rats be squished easily??

Sorry for all the silly questions, hopefully after being here a bit longer i'll be a Ratty expert!