How To Make Pet Rat Toys

Pet rats are intelligent, curious, and playful creatures that thrive on mental and physical stimulation. Providing them with engaging toys not only keeps them entertained but also promotes their well-being. Making your own DIY rat toys is a fun, cost-effective way to enrich your rats’ environment using household items. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various creative, safe, and easy-to-make rat toys, complete with explanations, tips, and safety considerations.

Why DIY Rat Toys?

• Cost-effective: Store-bought toys can be expensive and limited in variety.

• Customizable: Tailor toys to your rats’ preferences and cage size.

• Stimulating: Homemade toys can encourage natural behaviors like foraging, climbing, and chewing.

• Eco-friendly: Repurpose household waste like cardboard tubes and bottle caps.

Safety First

Before starting, keep these safety guidelines in mind:

• Avoid using glue or tape on toys, as rats chew through cardboard and can ingest toxic substances or choking hazards7.

• Do not use yarn or string that can entangle or injure your rats.

• Avoid sharp hooks or metal parts that can cause cuts or get caught on your rats7.

• Always supervise your rats with new toys until you are sure they are safe.

Materials You’ll Need

• Cardboard tubes (toilet paper or kitchen rolls)

• Bottle caps

• Scissors

• String or twine (natural fibers preferred)

• Safe treats (apple, carrot, grapes, strawberry, etc.)

• Cardboard sheets

• Popsicle sticks or wooden dowels

• Fabric scraps (cotton or fleece)

• Plastic bottles (clean and cut)

• Small containers or flower pots

DIY Rat Toy Ideas

1. Treat-Filled Toilet Paper Roll

Cut a toilet paper roll and stuff it with small treats like dried fruits or seeds. Your rats will enjoy figuring out how to get the treats out, stimulating their foraging instincts.

How to hang: Thread a string through the roll and tie it securely to the cage bars.

2. Bottle Cap and String Foraging Toy

• Poke holes in several bottle caps.

• Thread a string through a bottle cap, then add a treat that can be threaded (like cereal loops), then another bottle cap, and so on.

• Tie off the bottom and hang it in the cage.

• Add extra treats between caps for more challenge.

This toy encourages problem-solving and foraging behavior.

 3. Cardboard Puzzle Toy

• Cut two identical shapes (e.g., hearts) from cardboard.

• Cut a vertical slit halfway down one shape and halfway up the other.

• Slide the two pieces together to form a 3D puzzle.

• Hide treats inside or let your rats chew and explore the shape.

4. Kitchen Roll Swirls

Take an empty kitchen roll and make diagonal cuts from bottom to top, stopping about an inch before the end. Repeat several times around the roll to create swirls. This toy is excellent for climbing, chewing, and hiding treats inside for your rats to find.

5. Digging Box

Fill a shallow container with safe substrates like shredded paper or aspen shavings. Hide treats or edible plants inside to encourage your rats’ natural digging and foraging instincts.

6. Hanging Tube Toy

Cover a cardboard tube with fabric and hang it in the cage using natural string. Rats love crawling through tunnels and hammocks, and this combines both for rest and play.

7. Popsicle Stick Bridge or Swing

Use popsicle sticks and string to build a bridge or a swing. This encourages climbing and balance skills. Avoid glue and use natural twine or tightly tied knots for assembly.

8. Plastic Bottle Foraging Toy

Cut holes in a clean plastic bottle and fill it with treats. Your rats will have to roll and manipulate the bottle to get the food out, providing both physical and mental exercise.

9. Flower Pot Forager

Hang a small flower pot upside down and place treats inside. Rats will enjoy trying to reach the treats, which encourages problem-solving.

10. Foraging Wheel

A wheel with compartments for food encourages your rats to work for their meals by spinning the wheel to release treats. This combines exercise with foraging6.

Video Tutorials

• How To Produce Your Own Rat Toys - A practical step-by-step video showing simple DIY toys like treat balls and tunnels4.

• Best Toys for Rats | Foraging Toys - Demonstrates various foraging toys and explains their benefits for pet rats6.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Are homemade toys safe for pet rats?
A1: Yes, as long as you avoid toxic materials, glue, tape, and sharp objects. Always supervise your rats with new toys.

Q2: What household items are best for making rat toys?
A2: Cardboard tubes, bottle caps, popsicle sticks, fabric scraps, and clean plastic bottles are excellent materials.

Q3: How often should I change my rat’s toys?
A3: Rotate toys weekly or biweekly to keep your rats interested and stimulated.

Q4: Can rats use toys made for other small pets?
A4: Some toys may be suitable, but always check size and safety to avoid choking or injury.

Q5: How do I hang toys safely in the cage?
A5: Use natural string or twine tied securely; avoid metal hooks that can cause injury.