Rat thinks water bottle is a toy!

[abby3089]

I have two female rat sisters, 6 months old. They have always been very, very well behaved, but lately they have been mischieveious with their water bottle. They discovered if they whack the ball in the water bottle spout really hard, water comes out and it's a fun little shower that makes a lovely clanking noise! Unfortunately, I do not like this as much as they do since it leaves the bottom of their cage soggy (the spray more water than the zilla liner can comfortably absorb in one go), they deplete their water bottle very fast, and the "clank clank clank" all night long is really bothersome when I try to sleep (we all are in a studio apartment)!

Any ideas on what I can do to get them to break this habit? Maybe specific toys that will replacte whatever makes their water bottle so fun and entertain them? I don't really want to switch to a water bowl (less sanitary?), but can if I must...

I should also mention, one of the rats (the one that plays with the water bottle the most) has also gotten a little nippy lately. She is very friendly. I don't think she intends to bite, she just checks to see if everything is food (my fingers, hair, clothes) but sometimes she checks too hard. They have a neverending supply of food, so it's not because they are hungry...

 

[jorats]

That will be a tough one, when rats find something they like they stick to it. But what about placing a bowl under the water bottle so it fills with the escaped water?
When your little one goes to nip you, squeak loudly to tell her that is not ok. Some rats will stop with that.

 

[abby3089]

Thanks! I'll try that, though I wish there was a way to break the habit. I'm really hoping I can find a toy that will distract them. Could they be doing this because they are bored?

 

[jorats]

They are probably doing it cause it's fun and rewarding. What about removing the water bottle, using only a bowl for water and in a week, do the water bottle again. They might forget.

 

[abby3089]

GOOD IDEA. I'll try that and buy some new toys. See if I can get the little rascals hooked on something new.