Kind of a odd question......

[saber2th]

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

[Jay_Bunny]

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.

[Rhasputin]

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.

[Freakie_frog]

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

[stratus_020202]

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.

[SlitherinSisters]

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.

[Capital Rodents]

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.

[MazAnth]

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

[Rhasputin]

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

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

[saber2th]

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

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.