essential rat toys/supplies?

Question

i have toys and such for her.. but i was wondering what else can i get my little mocha. see my bday is comming up and i decided to put things for her on my list. because whatever is mine is hers as well you know.i have a ball for her and a water bottle.. cage.. blah blah blah. but what would be nice to get her like things that are small, and that she will like? any special treats or anything?

where would i find a nice size "playground" type of thing for her? i want one that is decent priced

Answer 1

The best thing for her would be a same-sexed friend. :) Rats are highly social animals, and naturally get along with other rats (in most cases). While some males introduced at older ages may get into little spats, females raarely do that if properly introduced. I would look through some shelters which have small animals for a female rat, any age. You will need to put the new one through a quarintine period to ensure she don't have anything Mocha might get.
Here are a couple sites about introductions:
http://ratguide.com/care/behavior/introducing_rats.php
http://www.rmca.org/Resources/aintro.txt

A ball isn't something rats usually go for. They are very inquisitive animals, and unlike hamsters and mice, prefer to have direct contact with things while exploring. I tend to think of rats more like dogs rather than small rodents; they will assume that they are humans if you give them the oppertunity. I personally leave my rats out in a "rat-proof" room, with all nooks covered and wires tucked away. I usually just keep the cage doors open, and they come and go as they please.
Here's a site you should look through:
http://www.dapper.com.au/articles.htm#free

If you don't have a whole room to spare, try setting up a table top "playground", like you said yourself. I would never buy any "playground" products, though. They are often far too overpriced, and not something the rat may even have interest in. With mine, I find empty boxes a must. In fact any (non-plastic because they might ingest it) containers give them somewhere to cimb into and hide/nap/eat. Paper bags also provide this fun. Also, paper and cardboard is often shredded to make comfortable bedding. Food related games are enjoyed. Some of mine seem to like a challenge when it comes to obtaining food. I put a piece of something they like into a tall glass or jar, and they try to get inside or knock it over to obtain their treat. A very popular rat game is "pea-fishing" where you place peas (or anything water proof) into a large shallow dish of lukewarm water. Rats seem to like retieving the food out. Really, just be as creative as you like. For treats you can use anything you know it low in fat, cholesteral, salt and sugars. Cheerios or other cereals are great, dry bananas, some yougurts, veggies, fruits, cooked meats, grains (pasta, bread, crackers), dog buiscuts, and almost anything healthy for people. I would stay away from many pet store treats, they often have no nutrition, high levels of all the unhealthy things, and totally unecessay ingrediants (like food colouring).

Hammocks are another wonderful thing for the cage in case you don't have any. You can buy these or punch wire through the corners of an old towel or soemthing, and attatch to the cieling of the cage. These can have one layer, or two for an "inside".

Answer 2

Rats are great pets, but your list needs some fixing. First off, bedding. While paper can be used, I can guarantee you are not going to like it. The paper has to have NO INK whatsoever, or it will poison the rats. Paper also starts to smell very very quickly. You'll end up having to change it every 2-3 days, it's that bad. Paper is used when I'm in a jam (no pun intended), and can't get bedding for another day or two. I would get Aspen wood bedding, you cannot use pine or cedar. Wood shavings are fairly cheap and come in large packs. Second, instead of getting two houses, I would get a hammock. Rats LOVE hammocks, they'll both cuddle up in them and sleep. I have a house in my boys cage and they barely use it. Now, for the stuff that can wait. For now just get one large rope toy, when you get some more money get the small one. Do you really need the pet carrier? If you are going to get them from a place that requires you to bring something, bring a large box, or a plastic tub with a wire top. Most of the stuff you have listed is needed. However, if you don't have enough money to care for them. You should wait until you do. It's not fair to the rats. Also the playpen, they're not cheap as you said. But there are alternatives. Like, covering the ground with a sheet or towel. Letting them climb on your shoulder. Once you litter train them, whenever you take them out, bring the litter box. This way they don't poop anywhere. Rats are also excellent climbers, so make sure it a climb proof playpen.

Answer 3

A wheel if you can find one big enough. I bought Lily a new cage that holds a big enough wheel and its like Christmas everyday for her, she loves the thing

Here's some more things that Lily adores (as did my rats Carter and Boyd before they passed):

Tasty Twigs Treats
Nutriphase Yogurt Drops
Snak Shak Hut
Critter Ka-bob
Nut Knot Nibbler


Also, Rats usually love things you dont need to buy. Lily's favorite treat is when I take a paper towel and pour cereal or granola in to it (just a tablespoon or two) and fold it up in a paper towel, then stuff the towel in an empty toilet paper roll. She LOVES it. She has to figure out how to get in to it, and gets a treat for it.
She also loves it when I take old t-shirts and rip them to shreds and give her the pieces. She uses them to make a nest.

Use your imagination with things. Make everything a game and she will love it.

Also, typically those plastic tubes and such are too small for rats, but you can use old boxes to build her a maze or playpen, just make sure it is sealed well and keep an eye on her. Heck, my brother made a "playpen" out of chicken wire for his rat in the back yard. Loco loved it til my bro couldnt let him play in it anymore (even supervised) because he noticed racoons hanging about looking hungry. Loco liked it because he could play in grass and could climb up the sides and run (it was about 3ft square)

Answer 4

Large hide-away houses are wonderful! Its great that you are taking an interest in the well being of your rat! If you have a good dog treat store near you, you can get a dog cake for about $6, my rats always love theirs. Shop online for a better price. If you only have one rat though you really need to get another. Ratties are extremely social animals and are not healthy with out a same-sex friend.

Answer 5

Consider adopting a friend for Mocha. She'll be so much happier with another rattie girl to hang with & it'll be fun for you too.
Our rats love hammocks & cardboard boxes suspended in their cages, cat or ferret toys (especially if they have bells or rattles inside them) & an assortment of chew toys, some of which we attach to the sides or ceiling of their cages. An occasional nut in its shell is fun too-- look! it's a treat! it's a toy!
Our boys don't use an exercise wheel, but all 3 of our girls do now-- our hairless girl taught the other 2 how to use it. Our hooded girl loves the plastic cap from a can of cooking spray. She also enjoys organizing her possessions-- toys gathered neatly in 1 corner, treats piled in another corner.
Happy forthcoming birthday.

Answer 6

Get her the treat ka-bob, Its has a little bell on it and you can put treats on it. So she can play with and still have her treats. My rats love it.

Answer 7

Get her one of those sticks that is made of treats stuck together. My rat loved them. Anythiing she can chew on is great because it will keep her teeth from growing too long. My rat also liked a wooden house that I put in his cage. He would sleep in it because it was dark and hidden and he chewed on the edges for his teeth. Just buy it at the pet store- no pressure treated woods!

Answer 8

you can get her tubes made for ferrets. like these http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=17342+17359+17464&pcatid=17464. That ball thing idk about but the tubes would be fun. Also this http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=17342+17359+17370&pcatid=17370 my ferret Bo is to fat to run outta the arms but my other ferret Page is the size of a large rat. Some ppl like to use that for their rats. This looks like fun http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=6067+10378+12646&pcatid=12646 Hope u have a great bday!

Answer 9

Yes, another female cagemate IS essential for her survival. She won't live long when she's alone, wether you give her lots of attention or not.