Enrichment ideas

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Tesslalala

New Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2019
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Colorado
I've got 3 particularly clever boys who laugh at any puzzle I give them, not to mention the ones available for purchase aren't that complex. Are there any instructions available out there to make some more intricate puzzles or a site I haven't found yet I could buy them from? Anything that keeps my little dudes entertained and thinking hard. Thanks in advance!
 
Rats are quite challenging to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.
I've noticed that human interaction for some is the most enriching. Have you tried clicker training them? I've seen a few who have done this and their rats are super engaged.
 
I keep my rats entertained with pea-fishing, cardboard cities, and burying snacks in soil that i then plant rat-safe herbs in. They have to dig quite deep to get them and it's hilarious to watch them when they're on a mission, especially when their little heads pop back up all covered in soil! One of my girls digs with her front paws and kicks the dug-up soil away with her back legs at the same time. Messy, but worth it!

Rats are also great climbers, apparently they can climb vertically up a rope though i've not tried that with mine. Why not hang a rope right in the middle of the cage (no bars to help them access it) and place a 'catch' hammock underneath in case they fall. Then stuff some of their favourite treats in the fibres at the very top (or start lower down and gradually increase the height to make it more difficult).

I let mine collect their own bedding by attaching half a toilet roll (cheap, non scented, nothing added type) to their cage and they then have to unroll it and tear to make their houses cosy.

Pearl is learning to play fetch too, at the moment. When she sees the little ball she places her nose on it and then looks at me for a treat. The next step will be getting her to pick it up, and then getting her to bring it to me. Just like Jorats said really, trick training is great and very stimulating for rats and humans alike! I've never done it before and it's a bit of a challenge but it's really rewarding and a great bonding experience!
 
I have trained almost all of mine to spin, come when called, give me a paw, stand, walk on two legs, and hop up on an object. Macaroni, my oldest and smallest female, can even spin while on a cup. Rats are VERY food driven, and if you find the right treat, they will learn to do almost anything. Watch shadow the rat on YouTube. She shows how to train your rats, and she has some pretty cool ideas for cage enrichment as well. Bird forage toys are great, as are dig tanks.
 
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