Ratty Boredome Breakers?

[Floyds mum]

Any day now, we will be scrubbing the main cage out well, to remove any scent, and have them sat next to each other in seperate cages then put them in a pen with toysand if they get on well then put them in the main cage and watch them like a hawk lol

 

[Ryefish]

you really shouldnt have any problems introducing them to each other if they are both the same age

 

[VickiandKev]

Any day now, we will be scrubbing the main cage out well, to remove any scent, and have them sat next to each other in seperate cages then put them in a pen with toysand if they get on well then put them in the main cage and watch them like a hawk lol

Remember to watch for a good few days - it takes 8 hours from the first meeting to see true interaction between two newly-introduced rats.

This site is invaluable to interpret how well things are going: http/www.ratbehavior.org/

If you have any problems, please do post on here - I've rarely had an introduction not work out and have done more than I could count so I'll be checking back to help if needed

Fingers crossed all will go smoothly though.

 

[Oscar Betta]

You can buy chew toys that are specifically made for rats to chew on at the pet store. That's what my rat has.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

I love rats. We where going to get some awhile ago but we saw some degus and fell in love. The degus are great but you really cant handle them like you can with rats.

Regarding boredom breakers. Pringles tubes are great. They are big enough that rats can get through them without getting stuck and they are also safe to be chewed on. You can string them between ledges as well to give them tunnels to run through.


Lava ledges are good too as it gives them something to climb on (and helps keep their claws worn down) and also gives them something to gnaw on to wear down their teeth.

Not sure if rats would like it but we also sometimes put a container of compost in the cage or play area of our degus with some nuts buried in it. They love digging around in it but it does get messy

 

[Floyds mum]

I love rats. We where going to get some awhile ago but we saw some degus and fell in love. The degus are great but you really cant handle them like you can with rats.

Regarding boredom breakers. Pringles tubes are great. They are big enough that rats can get through them without getting stuck and they are also safe to be chewed on. You can string them between ledges as well to give them tunnels to run through.


Lava ledges are good too as it gives them something to climb on (and helps keep their claws worn down) and also gives them something to gnaw on to wear down their teeth.

Not sure if rats would like it but we also sometimes put a container of compost in the cage or play area of our degus with some nuts buried in it. They love digging around in it but it does get messy

Ah thanx good idea, i get through alot of pringles anyway lol will try that.

 

[VickiandKev]

Rats love digging boxes! They also love having some birdseed grown in small tray and then being able to pull up and eat the shoots and dig around in the tray

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Rats love digging boxes! They also love having some birdseed grown in small tray and then being able to pull up and eat the shoots and dig around in the tray

This works well. Also if you put some mesh over the tray it allows the shoots to grow up and the rats can nibbled the new shoots as they grow through.

forgot to say on the Pringles tubes cut the metal disc off the bottom first. Rats could quite easier chew the metal up and its not something you want them to ingest.