Games for your pet rats

Make sure wood is untreated, not painted, and non-toxic. Branches from apple or willow trees are good as well, just make sure they are pesticide free. Hard-shelled nuts provide good chewing opportunities as well as a tasty treat inside. Give them sparingly as many nuts are high in fats. Most rats love a digging box. Take a small cat litter pan or other shallow plastic box and fill it halfway with plain sterilized potting soil not treated with any chemicals or fertilizer and with no additives like vermiculite.

Plant some birdseed or wheat grass and water it to let the seeds sprout and grow for a bit, then let your rats go crazy in the box. To minimize the mess, avoid watering the box for a day or two before offering it to your rats and place it a bathtub or spread a tablecloth or newspapers around the box to contain the mess.

Your rats will love to dig in the soil and snack on the sprouts or seeds. PVC pipe is pretty indestructible and comes in a variety of sizes and configurations.

You can buy it at your local hardware store. Buy a simple straight piece or use a variety of connectors to create a network of tubes. Choose a size you are sure your rats will be able to fit through without getting stuck.

If you are handy with a sewing machine, you can also make great collapsible tubes out of fleece or other sturdy fabrics. Sew a ring cut from a plastic bottle or wide cardboard tube into the ends to help hold it open. Clean jars and clay plant pots placed on their sides make neat hiding spots for rats. Mini stacking bins like those meant for office or workshop supplies make great hiding spots too. Washed coconut shells are also good for hiding, climbing, and chewing.

Rats are very agile and like to climb on ropes. You can make little rope ladders and bridges for in the cage. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Skip to content Skip to footer. Steps for this Pet Rat Game Place lab blocks throughout your rat-proofed room. Allow your rats to find the blocks and bring them back to their cage.

Your rats will have to actually overturn the cups to get the lab blocks. Stroke its fur slowly or turn it over and rub its belly with the pads of your fingers. Some rats also love a good scratch behind the ears, under the chin, or just above the tail. All of them relish physical contact and attention. Being able to feel the warmth of your body will help it relax and strengthen your bond. If your rat is extra happy, it may even return your affection by licking you like a dog!

Wrestle with your rat. Gently push, grab, and roll your rat over, or pretend that your hand is another rat and chase it around. This is a great way to help your pet work off excess energy.

Rats are delicate creatures, and you could accidentally hurt them if you use too much force. If your rat begins moving frantically or appears overstimulated, put it back in its cage until it calms down.

Toss your rat onto a cushioned surface. Pick your rat up and drop it onto a pillow or mound of blankets from a short distance. It may sound strange, but rats enjoy getting thrown around a little, similar to puppies and kittens.

Try to make sure your rodent buddy lands on its feet to avoid a bumpy landing. Method 2. Toys for rodents come in all kinds of different forms, from running wheels and tunnel blocks to ropes and rubber chew toys for nibbling. A couple of these toys can provide your pet with hours of entertainment. A hanging ball feeder can double as both a source of food and an engaging plaything. Set up a maze or obstacle course. Use small cardboard tubes and boxes to build structures for your rat to explore.

Empty product packages are perfect for converting into tunnels and chambers. It will quickly get to work finding hiding places for them. Make a digging box for your rat. It may be a good idea to give it a bath before holding it or letting it run around your home. Give your rat a friend to play with. Get a second or more rat to keep your pet company.

Rats are very social creatures and need cagemates. Even if you played with them all day they would still need another rat. Method 3. Teach your rat to come when called.