Ideas for toys for a rat?

Question

We have a female rat, very cuddly and curious. When she is in her cage, she is either playing a strange through the bars game of tag with our cat, scaling the side of the cage, or building piles out of her bedding and jumping in them (lol).

The person who sold us the rat recommended putting things in her cage she can interact with...We have tried various play things, in addition to toys, she has ramps and ladders and an exercise wheel, but she still seems bored. Do you think she's content with running around and playing with the cat, or is she not interested in what we've given her and thats all she thinks there is to do???

Any other rat owners here who can tell me what you've found succesful?

Should we get another female rat as a play mate?

She seems to like hanging off of things so maybe I will try some climbing ropes? My husband is also working on building a maze for her to explore....

We also tried one of those exercise balla so she could run around the floor without getting hurt or stepped on but she absolutely hated it. Can't really say I blame her, I don't think I would want to be stuffed in a ball either....

Any ideas or experience is appreciated....

Kirsty Steggall · Accepted Answer

I would really recommend getting another Rat, Rats play with each other a lot and it's a great way for them to stop being bored and burn some energy off, My Rats chase each other and wrestle (all harmless fun) and they just generally love being around each other, she'll also be much happier to have a buddy and have someone to cuddle up with at night. (Make sure it's another girl though, or you'll end up with LOTS of Rats!)

Different Rats like different toys, she might not enjoy the toys you've given her so maybe try a few others? My Rats love plastic or fleece tunnels, ropes strung from one side of the cage to the other to balance on and run across, cheap little baskets attached to the side of the cage at a height to give the cage a few extra levels, Hammocks, lava ledges, just a bunch of different toys, each Rat likes a different toy so it's fun watching each one explore their favourite part. 

Female Rats are known to be super active, so maybe try and tire her out outside of the cage with games like hiding a treat somewhere and letting her find it, or even teaching her tricks! so when she's in the cage, she doesn't spend so much time looking bored, a Maze is a great idea! Good way to get her mind going and help her feel less bored.

That being said, she might not even be bored at all, she might just enjoy playing her game with the cat! My Rats love playing with the dog outside the cage, they even poke food through the bars for her!! 

Here's my cage, to give you some toy ideas 
http://twitpic.com/a6je0q
http://twitpic.com/a6jeae

Sheena · Answer

of course she's bored. she's on her own.

rats need to be kept in pairs or groups. so of course you should get her a cagemate. 

climbing ropes are excellent, and a lot of parrot toys are fun for rats. my girls have two interlocked rigid rope rings that hang from the roof of their cage and they love  climbing and swinging from it. 

the balls are completely unsuitable for rats. 

http://www.dapper.com.au/toys.htm
has some really good cheap and free rat toy ideas.

Markayla · Answer

i am a rat owner and there are edible logs that they really like it or toliet paper rolls without the toliet paper on them or another rat the same gender

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Ideas for toys for a rat?

3 Answers