safe toys for rats

[_ratowner]

sorry, I was unsure of where to post this topic

I heard that rats really enjoy jingle cat toys so I went out and bought some (pictured) for my boys. I just wanted to post here to get the go ahead that these are safe for my boys to play with and I also had a few questions (I know I ask a lot of questions, I apologize)

Should I clean the toys before I give them to the rats?

Is it okay to be in their cage or should they only have access to the toys when they are out of the cage/during play time?

That is all I can think of at the moment. Thank you in advance.

 

[ViciousCurse]

I have those exact toys for my rats. Mine never played with them, only pushed them away if they were in the way. Same with the two new ones I just rescued.


However! Every rat is different. Maybe my group just doesn't like them. Definitely wash them with gentle soap (I use unscented baby shampoo since if it's safe for kids, it's safe for rats) and then let the ratties have at it! Make sure nothing can be swallowed (and choked on) beforehand.

 

[_ratowner]

I cleaned them all with baby wash and I put them out for the boys to play with while they were out today. I put a treat in one of them and they showed interest a few times but them just walked away. Would probably work better if I put peas in there, they absolutely love peas.

EDIT:
I put a rice treat and a yogurt treat in two of the toys that I will give to them in their cage. I took the bells out first so that they won’t choke on it or anything so don’t worry. I will remove the toys if they get damaged but they just seem to smell it and try to get the treats out then walk away..

 

[_ratowner]

I was checking up on my rats this morning, petting and feeding them and whatnot, and I looked over and saw that they had managed to chew threw their wooden shape kabob that clips onto the cage. The clipped part and the first piece of the kabob were still attached to the cage but the rest was on the floor of the cage.

I thought “why not just get them a new toy to chew on?” There wasn’t much of a selection at the pet store that I didn’t think they would just chew through straight away so I got them the toys pictured. I know that it says that they can be put on a kabob toy but that won’t be possible in this situation. I have heard that some people just put some right into the cage for the rats to chew on and I was thinking of just doing that and wanted to make sure it was okay to do so.

 

[SQ]

For ideas, please see the links in the Reference Thread https://www.ratshackforum.com/threads/reference-thread-read-only.35894/

 

[_ratowner]

I was curious about that specific toy for now

 

[SQ]

Putting in the pieces would likely be ok, some people have used a safe rope to hang them in the cage as well (similar to the cored apple in one of the links) ……. but you may want to check on where the materials are sourced and produced to make sure they are not toxic - often people use locally sourced wood that has been (baked?) to ensure it is safe

 

[_ratowner]

Putting in the pieces would likely be ok, some people have used a safe rope to hang them in the cage as well (similar to the cored apple in one of the links) ……. but you may want to check on where the materials are sourced and produced to make sure they are not toxic - often people use locally sourced wood that has been (baked?) to ensure it is safe

Okay, thank you for your feedback. I am not too sure about using a rope to attach them to the cage as my one rat will most likely chew through it instantly. I assume that the materials are not toxic since they are made for animals to chew on but I will definitely have to look into where these ones specifically are sourced and produced to double check that they are not harmful.

 

[_ratowner]

How exactly do I research to see if the toys are safe? I looked then up on google and the search came up with reviews talking about how people have purchased the product for their hamsters and that they “loved it” and that is basically all that I can find.

 

[SQ]

If you post a particular toy on here with the link and ask, then people can tell you their experience with it

 

[Dena]

I use those exact same chew toys for all my rats and mice. They make little wooden sticks that come in a package, that I put these things on, then attach to the cage by putting one of the toys outside, and the rest inside, with the stick through the bars. That way, they have something to stand on, and chew on at the same time. Plus, it's a little different than just hanging. I also have a metal Kabob that you can get in the rodent section, that the bell on the bottom u screws, and you can add toys to it. They can't chew through the metal, and if/when they chew a toy up, you can just replace it. I put the little ABC blocks, and Apple sticks (which they all love), and wood chews, and different snacks on mine. That way it has multiple sizes, shapes, and colors to keep their interest.

 

[Dena]

Or, you could use pipe cleaners, or zipties to attach the chews in multiple places. Mine have also chewed through their wooden Kabob. I just left the bottom part for them to chew on or throw around.

 

[_ratowner]

If you post a particular toy on here with the link and ask, then people can tell you their experience with it

Okay, thank you for the feedback.

Here is the link if anyone else is open to sharing their experience with this particular toy.
https://www.petsmart.ca/small-pet/t...-choice--varity-shape-wood-chews-5264363.html
Thank you!!

 

[_ratowner]

I use those exact same chew toys for all my rats and mice. They make little wooden sticks that come in a package, that I put these things on, then attach to the cage by putting one of the toys outside, and the rest inside, with the stick through the bars. That way, they have something to stand on, and chew on at the same time. Plus, it's a little different than just hanging. I also have a metal Kabob that you can get in the rodent section, that the bell on the bottom u screws, and you can add toys to it. They can't chew through the metal, and if/when they chew a toy up, you can just replace it. I put the little ABC blocks, and Apple sticks (which they all love), and wood chews, and different snacks on mine. That way it has multiple sizes, shapes, and colors to keep their interest. Or, you could use pipe cleaners, or zipties to attach the chews in multiple places. Mine have also chewed through their wooden Kabob. I just left the bottom part for them to chew on or throw around.

Thank you for your feedback.

I do have zip ties so I will try out that method. Thank you for sharing different tactics on how to hang them in the cage.

 

[_ratowner]

A little update on what my boys think of the wooden chew toys that I gave them ; they seem to really like them. One of the toys that I just left laying around in the cage (opposed to hung up) is now just demolished and is about less than 1/3 the size now. The ones that I have tied up don’t get as much love as they just have a little nibble here and there on them but that is okay. I am glad that they are enjoying their toys and have something to chew on that is also benefitcial to their health (teeth)