Rats - being able to behave normally
Keeping your rats active and happy
Handling
What’s the best way to handle a rat?
Rats should be carefully handled from a young age so that they become used to handling and aren’t scared of it. This will reduce the chances of them biting someone.
Always be gentle. Both hands should be used as a scoop, and the rat should be held low over a flat surface. Even a small fall can cause serious injury.
Do my rats need toys?
As well as plenty of exercise, rats need things in their cage that they can climb on and explore. They should have an exercise wheel - but make sure it doesn’t have spaces between the rungs, as their legs or tail can get trapped and injured between the gaps. They also need suitable toys such as cardboard rolls and boxes, as well as those made specifically for small pets. Ladders, ropes, plastic tubes, seesaws and untreated apple-tree branches are all available to buy. It’s particularly important to provide hiding places to give them a sense of security.
Many rats love hammocks and these can be bought from pet shops or pet supermarkets.
A gnawing block should be provided, as this will help your rats wear their teeth down.
Scatter some of the food for your rats around the cage and hide some in tubes, to encourage interest and activity.
Should I give my rats several different toys at the same time?
You should offer different toys in different weeks so your rats stay stimulated and don’t get bored. When a particular toy isn’t being used one week this also gives you a good opportunity to clean it.
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