Toys for rats: species, tips on choosing and creating

The ornamental rats are very intelligent animals, and therefore they need interesting cages and toys. Even if you do not own any tools, do not know how to sew, or you do not have time to do something fancy, there are many other simple ways to add new accessories and toys to your rat's cage.

There are many simple and at the same time funny toys that you can give to your beloved rat or mouse to make them happier.

• The tunnels. Rats and mice, by their nature, make and use burrows or tunnels. You can provide ready-made tunnels or allow them to do them yourself. You can buy or make plastic tunnels and place them in a cage, hang them on stainless steel hangers. You can create your own form models and create a whole network of labyrinths. Plastic is easy to clean. Be sure to choose a pipe with a rather large diameter so that the rodent can not get stuck in it.

• Wheels and balls for training. The practice wheels provide a great way to train a rodent within its cage. Be sure to choose a safe wheel that can not hurt his legs or tail. Solid wheels are certainly preferable to wheels from the grille. Rats usually require wheels with a diameter of 28 cm. Some wheels can be hung from above or from the side of the cage. Exercise balls also provide a good workout outside the cage.

• Climbing toys: stairs, ropes, twigs, pipes, hammocks and other items can provide many ways to climb your favorite mouse or rat. They can be attached to the top and side of the cage to significantly increase the playing area in the cage. You can also use bricks and concrete blocks if the cage is quite large.

• Toys that rats and mice will gladly crack. Wooden sticks, for example, should be in the cage of a domestic rat and mouse so that they can gnaw them. This is necessary for healthy teeth, as their teeth continue to grow, and they need to be constantly cleaned and ground. Chewing toys can be made of wood or cardboard. Cheap chewing toys can be made from cardboard boxes, paper towel towels and toilet paper.

• Grinding toys. Mice and rats love to chop softer materials, such as toilet paper and straw. Grinding of such materials brings pleasure to rodents and provides excellent entertainment.

• Toys "Push and Carry." Many rats like small toys that they can carry or push. Plastic balls that have a small bell inside, for example, will be an excellent toy for your rat. In no case do not give your beloved rodent toys of soft rubber, the rat can chew it and swallow a small piece, and this will cause intestinal obstruction.Always follow your pet's habits to make sure that the toys he has are still safe.

• Toys for walking. In the wild, rats and mice spend most of their waking time looking for food. Too often, we just fill the bowl with food, so your pet may soon become lazy and get overweight.

Among other things It is necessary to provide mental stimulation to their domestic rats or mice, hiding in food, for example, a special toy. There are many toys for feeding birds that can be used for rodents, for example, pieces of bamboo. In bamboo, you can pour food and watch as your rodent gets it from there. Use your imagination and you can give your favorite mouse or rat toys that will give them great pleasure.

Be sure to choose non-toxic wooden or cardboard toys. Before buying expensive toys for mice and rats, look for remnants of toilet rolls, rolls of paper towels or small raw wood logs in your house. Rats love to chew these things and climb them. Before you give any toy to your pet, make sure that it is harmless. It means that need to keep track of such things as the presence of harmful glue, paint and other artificial surfaces.

If we talk about choosing a wheel for running, then it is better to pick one that does not have a grid where the leg of a rat can get stuck. Mice love to run at night, as they are nocturnal, so make sure your wheel is quiet and set far enough away from your bedroom so you are not disturbed. If the wheel is attached to the top of the cage, always ensure that your mouse can reach it safely.

Rats need a lot of exercise and space to wander, run and just move around. Unlike small rodents, such as mice and hamsters, rats cannot spend most of their life in a cage. Some owners allow their pets to run freely around the house, but if your house is not specially prepared and not protected for a rodent, it is better not to do so. Creating a safe playground for rats, on the other hand, is the best option for entertaining your rodent without harming your property.

First you need to clear the area of ​​anything that could damage your rats. While the playground will be fenced off, the rodent may be damaged by bright light, air vents, and electrical wires. Clean the area of ​​chemicals, wires, sharp objects and anything that emits smoke, such as candles.

Such an original beautiful house can be made independently. Inflate the balloon to the desired size. Next, you need glue, which must be made harmless by mixing water with flour. Strips of white paper are cut, each strip is dipped into the prepared glue and overlaid on the inflated balloon. As soon as the entire ball is covered with several layers of paper soaked in glue, you can leave it for a while to make the craft completely dry.

After complete drying, the balloon can be burst and removed from the craft. Cut a large inlet. You can also cut out additional doors and windows. At the top you can make a small hole to hang the house on the ceiling of the cage.You can fill such an original house with crumpled strips of cloth or paper to make the nest more comfortable. In this way, You can make absolutely any houses of various shapes using different balls.

To make a denim rope ladder, cut out long strips of old jeans and twist into long strips that will become the side main elements for the ladder. Then make the crossbar, the thinner strips are also twisted and attached to the main strips.

You can hang the baskets and fill them with a cloth or put a small rug inside to make the cover softer and more comfortable. If your rats love to gnaw and chew on everything, make sure that the material from which the basket is made is safe for your pet's health. These original baskets can be hung vertically or laterally using a rope.

Almost any house or toy for your favorite rodent can be made at home. The main thing is to use natural materials and make sure that nothing can injure your pet. Follow the habits of your pet, and he will tell you which toys he likes and which ones are better not to use.

For a review of toys and entertainment for rats, see below.