Creative toy ideas for pet rats?

Question

I like to give my rats plenty of options when it comes to things to play with, they have a big cage with lots of climbing space, 2 wheels, a plastic igloo, a basket to sleep in/chew on, I give them cut up towels and gift basket paper to make beds out of, empty cardboard boxes to destroy, etc.

What are some other creative things I can give them to play with? I have to get creative and go to places like the dollar store and walmart because even big pet stores lack in inventory when it comes to toys for rats. (atleast around here )

Answer 1

Old golf balls are good. Any golf courses nearby? They'd let you have some old balls for your rats. A plastic milk carton with a tree stick poked through all the way out the other side so that part of the stick is sticking out of each side. Make the opening a little bigger so the rats can get inside and climb over and chew on the stick. They like a new milk carton and fresh stick from the real outdoors every now and then. A roll of toilet paper every now and then is joy for them. They make a big mess with that, but, it's fun to watch. Toilet paper tubes or plastic wrap tubes: Poke holes all over them with a needle or tiny nail and stick gobs of toothpicks in the holes so that the tubes bristle with toothpicks like a porcupine. They make short work of those, but they like them. Stuff an old cotton sock with orange peels and tie the sock off for them to chew up. Not the regular size marbles, but the jumble size marble: Put one jumble size marble inside a toilet paper tube and then put the tube and marble in an old cotton sock and tie it off at both ends of the tube so that the marble is trapped inside the tube. Shoeboxes stacked up and masking-taped together with tunnel holes connecting them.

Answer 2

Wow - it sounds like you have a real playground for tem. Well done. Rats are such clever little things they need to be kept busy. A large plastic ball that they can crawl in and out of they like, as well as anything they can tunnel in. Try a hammock put to the top of the cage and they love to sleep in that. Also, for reasonable there are "cat" bags that are actually a plastic bag sewn into material and they love to claw at it and crawl in it and make the crinkling sound.

Have fun!

Answer 3

Wow, I feel that's enough but...what's the harm in a little more creativity? As you know rats love wheels, you can build them a bigger wheel. They like moving around a lot and squeezing in holes. Like little furry spies. So I suggest an obstacle course for them, with holes, ladders numerous pipes, they'll love that. Hamster cages also have a tower in them so I guess that will work too!

Answer 4

Take a look in the Bird section of the store - toys for parrots will sometimes be good for rats to chew on, climb on, play with, etc.!

Answer 5

My rat really likes a small cardboard box. He can chew on it, sleep in it, stuff it with bedding and burrow in it, and hide his treat stash in it. I replace the box every time I clean his cage, and the first thing he does after a cage-cleaning is run to his new box and set it up to his liking.

Answer 6

I gave my rats ferret toys and they loved them. They really like ferret hammocks hung in thier cages...but be prepared, they will go through them like crazy

Answer 7

empty tubes from toilet paper or paper towel
balls of rolled up newspaper
plastic pop bottle lids
popsicle sticks

Answer 8

Give him something to crack, a piece of wood. Their teeth are growing non stop so you have to give him something to work on.

Answer 9

Cat.