Kind of a odd question......

Do any of you that breed rats put any kind of toys in with the rats? Seems like they like to play around and I was wondering if they would benefit from some type of toy. And what toys would be good?

thanks,

Dave

I will give them paper towel rolls to chew up and occasionally chew blocks. I was thinking of making my own rat/mouse toys since I'm not going to be breeding them in large numbers for a while. Spoil my rats a little. :D

Rats benefit greatly from mental stimulation. They are highly intelligent, and it can keep them busy especially if they're breeding, and can prevent fighting and pup mutilation.

Good Ole fashion piece of 2x4 is a good cheap thing for them to chew on..

My aunt made me some fabric tunnels. They are awesome, and take about a week for the rats to shred. Put two pieces of material together, a little padding in the middle, and sew. They love them. Cheap and easy if you know how to sew, but they will get smelly.

I think the only bad things are toys made from plastic. Not a good diet for nibblers. Bird toys are great too.

I'm not very good about giving my feeders toys :( My pets have more toys than they really need. As for the feeders, I usually try to keep wood blocks in there for them to chew on, as well as those little plastic igloo houses. Our animal shelter always has used toys/supplies that are donated and they sell them for next to nothing. I stop by every now and again to buy them things like the igloos.

Toys are great additions to a rat cage. They can keep the rats more active, prevent fighting, reduce excessive weight gain, and can even help with mouth issues. Something as simple as a piece of 2x4 or a large bolt and nut. I prefer the piece of wood; I can just toss it during the cage change and give them a new one.
A rat's teeth are constantly growing, giving them something to chew on will prevent malocclusion.

Ping pong balls it's funny to watch as they knock them around.

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

Good Ole fashion piece of 2x4 is a good cheap thing for them to chew on..

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They're also treated with chemicals most of the time, and can be poisonous to the rats, and anything that eats the rats.

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Originally Posted by village idiot

Ping pong balls it's funny to watch as they knock them around.

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Tried it, and it is funny to watch them trying to bite it. I have some paper towel rolls in there as well, and they kept getting the ping-pong ball in the roll. Then they would go around to the other side and push it out.

I don't breed rats, but I did have a rat as a pet.

Don't give it anything plastic that it can chew. They can choke on it, also depending on the type of plastic it can be toxic.

At the typical big box pet stores, there are wood blocks that are safe. Don't give wood from the hardware store. It's treated, and toxic.

Be careful, or they'll no longer be feeder rats, but pet rats. :) This is one reason I prefer frozen...

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Originally Posted by Rhasputin

They're also treated with chemicals most of the time, and can be poisonous to the rats, and anything that eats the rats.

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Good point. Stay away from any wood thats been pressure treated, any wood with a green colour to it.

I put untreated wood blocks and the toilet paper/paper towel rolls in there. Keeps them busy chewing the blocks so they don't chew the tubs.

I never thought of ping pong balls! Do they eventually chew it?

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Originally Posted by anatess

I put untreated wood blocks and the toilet paper/paper towel rolls in there. Keeps them busy chewing the blocks so they don't chew the tubs.

I never thought of ping pong balls! Do they eventually chew it?

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They where not at first, but went down the other day and found it all chewed up!

Try giving them live crickets. It's hilarious. They go on the attack! :D