Playtime for Rats

Your rats need time out of their cage every day to play. We let ours out to run around on their play table, the computer table, on the covered couch or bed, and some of them get to run around on the floor.

Before you let them go in or out of the house, be sure the area is rat-proofed and that the rats are not going to run away and hide. Teach them to come when called, and always stay close to them so you can keep them out of trouble. It is also helpful to keep a litter pan handy or keep the play area close enough to the cage that they can relieve themselves when they need to.

A Safe Place

Be careful to put other animals away before you take the rats out, and only let them out in areas you know to be safe for them. Check for exposed wires and small places where they can hide or get stuck. When we take our rats out of their cage to play, we like to give them a safe place to go in case something startles them. On the couch or bed, they come to us, their people, but on their playtable, they go to the old cage or into the cinder block. These are also the places they take their treats when they want to stash them, so be sure you can clean everything out when playtime is over.

Exploring

Playtime is a chance for the rats to get some exercise, interact with you, to explore their world, work on training or even meet new rats. We give them places to climb like ropes and the outsides of the cages, room to run and hidey holes to explore. They like different size boxes with holes cut in them and tanks and such to climb in and out of. Crawling around on a cinder block or several stacked up can wear down those nails. Try hiding food or treats in various places for them to find.

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