Games and Fun

Space to roam
 Rats need space to roam, play and exercise! Their area needs to be stimulating and fun. It also needs to be rat-proof.



Rat-Proofing
 This is very important for your rat's well-being. Which ever room you let your rats play in rat-proof it first. There should be no wires or cables and you shouldn't really let them near any plants as you don't know whether what they are eating is poisonous.

They can squeeze through small gaps so make sure there is nowhere they will escape through. Think like a Rat.

Bathrooms, concervatories and other rooms with well sealed areas are good for playareas. Bedrooms, lounges and kitchens are bad ideas as there are lots of cables and gaps. Unless you want Ratty chewing your family heirlooms, peeing on your best sofa and its not a good idea.

If you can't devote a whole room then you can make an playpen out of cardboard boxes and put it in a room.


Handling
 Rats like to be handled but should never be picked up by the tail. Instead gently place your hand underneath its chest behind the front legs, supporting the hindquarters with your other hand. Children will enjoy handling Rats, but should always be supervised and in a safe environment.


Toys
 You can buy toys for Rats although you won't find a 'Rat Section' in the Pet Store! Look in the Bird Section for most items such as ropes, ladders, hanging bells and mirrors etc. You will find some toys in the Small Animals section such as tubes, balls and knawing blocks, but don't buy things for hamsters as they will be too small! There's not really anything in the dog section as toys are too big/not practical. In the Cat Section you can find 'cat wands' which you Rat will love to chase. If you've really got money to burn cat and bird gyms make great climbing and playing areas for rats.

Just remember that whatever you buy think about whether it is actually suitable. Also remember that toys will eventually wear down and need replacing.

If you want to save cash then you can make toys. Before you throw cardboard and plastic items away think whether or not they could be used for your rats. Click here to see how you can make your own toys!


Building Trust
 When you first get the Rats, before you let them out of the cage, give them a few days to settle in their cage so that they can get used to their new territory.

Within those days begin by offering pieces of treat or food to them without picking them up. This will let them get to sniff you and learn that your hand is good. Then you can hold your palm out flat so that they can climb on and get used to the safety you are offering. When they are happy on your hand take out one and give it a few minutes being held and exploring you then put it back and take out the other.

Different Rats will take different amounts of time to get used to you so I can't say how long this will take. When I first got Java and Diamond, Java was very bold and straight out into the world where as Diamond took a month to move off me and onto and around the floor happily. She would be fine sitting on my shoulder or on my foot but was scared to go away from me. It turned out she was partly so shy because she was ill. We took her to the vet within a week of getting her and she took antibiotics which help her to feel a lot better and come out of her shell. She now runs around like crazy :) It's all about time!

After a few days, when they are ready open the cage door and let them come out themselves. Okay so it's their first adventure out. They aren't going to run out head over heels and play with every toy you've got for them. It is more likely they will spend a few minutes sniffing from the door! They will then maybe head for you as their other haven. Coax them out and soon they will be running about (but at first will be retreating back to you every few minutes!).

Start the sessions as 5 minutes then slowly make them longer as the Rats confidence grows.


When you let the Rats out...
  • Always sit so that they can retreat to you and if they are climbing on you and they fall it won't be too far from the ground.
  • If you do have to walk anywhere shuffle your feet rather than lifting them, so that you don't stand on the Rats. They can appear out of nowhere sometimes!!
  • Have a go at teaching them tricks and always reward them for it (but not too much or you'll have one fat rat!)
  • Never leave them alone. You should ALWAYS be watching them outside the cage incase they hurt themselves. Do not assume that because a room is safe for you it will be safe for them as well.