Suggestions for places to buy toys

[VetTek]

Hi guys,

I was wondering if you could give me some suggestions on where to find toys to buy for the baby rats that I'll be getting in a month. I'm in the United States (Illinois). I'd been told that those linking rings that are baby toys are good to use for hanging hammocks or toys from the ceiling of the cage. And I'd been told that toys meant for parrots are good for rats too. Do you find this to be true? Any suggestions that you have on where to find things would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Debbie

[Mousey]

I don't know about the teething rings (I think they'd be ok if they didn't have that gel or liquid in the center) Some birds toys are ok for rodents. Just make sure you don't get pine or cedar. Also when I get wooden toys I like to freeze them for two or three days then give it to them. The reasoning for that is, wooden toys can carry mites or lice but when you frreze them for at least two days it'll kill all the buggers. If you can get scrap fabric or non chemical treated ropes you can braid them together leaving little treats inthem here and there. My mice love chewing on the ropes . Also toilet paper rolls make great toys for mice.

[VetTek]

The rings that I was referring to aren't teething rings per se...they're plastic rings that link together so that you can hang toys from them in a stroller or a playpen or a crib for babies. I went to one Walmart and they weren't there. So I'll go check another one near my house. It was suggested to look at Meijers too. I have one that is about 30 minutes from my house.

I was just wondering if you all could share what kind of toys you've got in your cages for your rats. What things seem to be more popular than others? What things did you put in thinking that the rats would like it but they didn't. Would just love to hear what you're doing to increase the enrichment for your rats in their cages.

Thanks!

[mtmaughan]

Wooden chew toys are commonly found in the small animal section in pet stores. Also cardboard boxes are great for them to hide in and chew up. Make sure there are no globs of glue on the boxes, though.

Rats will chew up everything, and may consume some of it in the process. Use common sense; if you wouldn't want them to eat it, don't put it in their cage.

There are lots of great toy ideas online, like at the Dapper Rat site:
Toy Ideas

There is even a special section for baby rats on that page. Good luck.

[Vanilla_Rat]

I have 3 adult males and a baby male.The only one that really plays is Kahlua (baby).The rest are quite lazy.I still give them toys and things tho.

They really like cardboard boxes.They chew them up and sleep in them.And sometimes toss them around.I also sometimes give toilet paper tubes to the rats,because while they cannot fit in them,they do chew them and throw them around.

Another popular toy I find is those cat "jingle balls".I always get those for my rats.And other bird toys with mirrors.

Ladders,tubes and ropes are also wonderful choices.And free range time is quite important as well.

[Korali]

Paper bags
Tissue boxes
Rat piñata - fill a toilet roll with treats, fold down the ends and it tie up on a string.
Hang some apple or carrot from the top of the cage
boiled eggs can take a long time to open!
Punch a hole in the corner of some phone book pages and hang them in the cage
Old clothes make great tunnels.
Make a digging box with sterile potting compost.
Fishing for peas in a bowl always goes down well...

here are some suggestions that i found on another website =)

When i use a paper bag in the cage i like to make the bag smell nice first .. so i fill it with cookies .. or muffins .. something that smells really good .. then i take out the goodies and put the empty bag in the cage ... its naughy .. but so fun to watch !

Korali