Ratscaping for Dwarf Rats – Natural Design, Digging Boxes & Enrichment
Pine cones for rodents to play with and nibble on. By gnawing on the pine cone, the animals receive beneficial nutrients contained in the pine cone. The pine cone is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. They are gently dried according to a special
Read moreThese delicious XL filled pine cones are not only irresistible to small rodents but also offer a serious challenge. The animals have to pry the treats out of the pine cone before they can feast! Small rodents like mice, dwarf hamsters, hamsters, gerbils,
Read morePine cones for rodents to play with and nibble on. These natural pine cones have been carefully cleaned, dried and contain no resins. Rodents and rabbits regularly encounter pine cones in the wild. The pine cone remains interesting for the animals because
Read moreThis delicious filled pine cone is not only irresistible to small rodents but also offers a real challenge. The animals have to pry the treats out of the pine cone before they can start munching! Small rodents like mice, dwarf hamsters, hamsters, gerbils,
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
Let your rodents and rabbits enjoy natural gnawing fun with our Wooden Coffeewood Discs! This set of 8 discs offers delicious gnawing material for all rodents and rabbits. Made of coffeewood, this material is particularly suitable for animals with sensiti
Read moreComplete your pet's living space with the Rody Tunnel Small Animal Hideaway, a great hideaway designed specifically for the active and playful nature of small animals. This tunnel not only provides a safe and comfortable place to rest, but also stimulates
Read moreSavic Relax de Luxe Fur Hammock 33 cm - Luxury and Comfort for Your Pet! Luxury and Comfort in One Accessory Give your small pets the ultimate relaxation spot with the Savic Relax de Luxe Fur Hammock. This hammock offers an unparalleled combination of lux
Read moreCrock Medium Feeder - 0.3 L | Sturdy Feeder for Rodents! Handy removable food or water bowl for any wire cage type. Give your rodent the convenience of a sturdy and practical food bowl with the Crock Medium Feeder of 0.3 liters! This sturdy plastic bowl i
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
The Schots & Scheef ladder is really higgledy-piggledy! ...and that's great for rodents. Because the ladder is not standard, the animals have to figure out how to climb it and once they do, they will love using this challenging ladder!
Read moreWith this fun knotted ladder from Trixie, little rodents can clamber, climb and hang wonderfully! The ladder can easily be hung in the enclosure and the playing can begin.
Read moreThe Mont Blanc Tunnel is a hollowed out birch tree. This is ideal as a play and hiding place for small rodents. The tunnel responds to the natural behavior of the animals, namely walking through tunnels. In nature, small rodents also make tunnels and ther
Read moreThis beautiful Tree Trunk Tunnel is made of high quality Mahogany wood and suitable for small rodents such as: Mice, Dwarf Hamsters, Hamsters, Rats and Degus. Thanks to the flattened part at the bottom, the tunnel cannot roll over, making it very safe for
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
The Exotic Paradise Tree Trunk is a very robust hollowed out tree trunk that is perfect for real rodents, such as Gerbils. The animals can hide in the house, sit on top of it and also gnaw on it if they feel like it. The closed shape gives the animals a s
Read moreThis beautiful tree trunk is approximately 18 cm wide and made of 100% Natural Mahogany Wood. The Tree Trunk Cave not only provides a nice lookout, but also a hiding place for rodents! In addition, this robust tree trunk is resistant to real rodents such
Read moreThis beautiful Tree Trunk Kudus Cup is a very unique food bowl! The tree trunk is made of mahogany wood and has a height of approximately 10 cm. This is fairly high for a feeding bowl, but for hamsters it can be buried in the ground cover, making it stabl
Read moreThis beautiful Tree Trunk Bali Cup is a very unique food bowl! The tree trunk is made of mahogany wood and has a height of approximately 13 cm. This is fairly high for a feeding bowl, but for hamsters it can be buried in the ground cover, making it stable
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
This beautiful Tree Trunk Tunnel is made of high quality Mahogany wood and suitable for small rodents such as: Mice, Dwarf Hamsters, Hamsters, Rats and Degus. Thanks to the flattened part at the bottom, the tunnel cannot roll over, making it very safe for
Read moreThe Exotic Paradise Tree Trunk is a very robust hollowed out tree trunk that is perfect for real rodents, such as Gerbils. The animals can hide in the house, sit on top of it and also gnaw on it if they feel like it. The closed shape gives the animals a s
Read moreNatural swing made of seagrass and wood, ideal for birds and rodents such as hamsters or mice. Equipped with clip, can be hung up immediately. 100% safe & playful!
Read moreThe Seagrass Nibble & Climb Wall for Rodents! Imagine a versatile play world for little climbers, made from the natural wonder of seagrass: the Nibble Wall, also known as the Seagrass Nibble & Climb Wall! Specially designed for curious rodents such as mic
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
The Woven Grass Hanging Tunnel 33cm: The perfect play area for mice, rats, birds, ferrets, chinchillas and degus! This versatile woven tunnel provides endless playtime for a variety of pets. Whether climbing, exploring or just hanging out, your beloved pe
Read moreCreate a Festive Playground: Woven Grass Hammock Party 37cm for Mice, Rats, Birds, Ferrets, Chinchillas and Degus! Give your small pets a festive playground with the Woven Grass Hammock Party 37cm, perfect for mice, rats, birds, ferrets, chinchillas and d
Read moreDiscover the Willow Rodent Tower: A World of Adventure for Mice, Dwarf Hamsters, Hamsters, Gerbils, Rats and Degus! Enter the realm of playful fun and rodent bliss with our Willow Rodent Tower, designed to provide an unforgettable experience for a range o
Read moreWelcome to the Cavi Camp - the ultimate holiday destination for your rodents! Step into the world of comfort and coziness with our Cavi Camp, made of birch wood. With a side entrance, this camp provides the perfect retreat for your furry friends.
Read moreRatscaping for dwarf rats: natural, smart and above all fun to build
Ratscaping is "designing with nature as inspiration": more textures, more routes, more to explore. Pygmy rats are curious climbers who love tunnels, heights, hiding places, and foraging challenges. In this category, you'll find exactly the right materials for them – from cork tunnels and tree trunk tunnels to digging pits, humus/sand mixes, moss, and natural decorations. You've been shopping at DRD Rodent Shop® as a Specialist since 2011 .
✔ Sniffing & foraging
✔ Climbing & walking routes
✔ Hide & relax
✔ Cork, wood & grass structures
✔ Digging buckets + humus/sand mixes
✔ Natural decoration (moss/flowers)
✔ Stability and grip are central
✔ Smart zones (sleep/feed/dig)
✔ Easy to vary per week
What is ratscaping?
Ratscaping is the natural way to furnish a dwarf rat cage with materials that encourage exploration. Think tunnels, platforms, different substrates, and foraging areas. You essentially build a "route" through the cage: from sleeping area to feeding area, via climbing bridges and hiding places, with plenty of activities along the way.
Get started in 5 steps (easy and effective)
- Choose your base – start with a fine, absorbent bedding and create your interior on top.
- Create a route – add ladders/bridges/platforms so your dwarf rats can climb and change levels.
- Provide shelter – combine houses with natural tunnels (such as cork or log tunnels).
- Add a digging zone – a digging box with humus or (digging) sand mix is ideal for additional activity.
- Finish with texture – moss, dried flowers and natural accessories provide both structure and distraction.
Tip: Want to optimize the basics of the enclosure? Always combine ratscaping with the right categories for your dwarf rats: bedding , houses , and cages .
What can you find in this category?
These are the most commonly used ratscaping items for dwarf rats (and you will also see them in the range):
- Cork & natural tunnels – great hiding and walking routes (e.g. cork tunnels and tree trunk tunnels).
- Climbing routes – ladders, ropes, bridges and hanging elements to connect heights.
- Digging buckets & sand zones – separate digging buckets or digging boxes, plus humus/coir and digging sand(s) mixes.
- Moss & natural decoration – for structure, appearance and extra texture in zones.
- Dried flowers & harvest decorations – decorative and fun to play with/forage with.
- Foraging items – sniff boxes, foraging trees, and hiding materials that make the cage “active.”
Zones & routes in the cage (for clarity)
Zones keep ratscaping beautiful and practical. A handy layout:
- Sleeping area – quiet, sheltered (house + tunnel + soft sleeping material).
- Action zone – climbing route with multiple “stops” (plateau, ladder, bridge).
- Digging zone – digging bucket with humus/sand mix, possibly fenced off to keep it tidy.
- Foraging zone – spreading food in/under materials or via foraging items.
Pygmy rats love to climb. Therefore, build wide and stable rather than high and wobbly: ensure components are securely attached and create "waypoints" so routes feel logical.
Maintenance & hygiene
Ratscaping for dwarf rats doesn't have to be complicated. Work with separate areas (like a digging bucket) and do small maintenance rounds:
- Daily : remove wet spots, check feeding area.
- Weekly : refill/turn the bucket, move the decor for variety.
- Periodically : replace parts of the substrate (not all at once if not necessary).
Checklist: This is what makes ratscaping for dwarf rats successful
✔ At least 2–3 hiding places (house + tunnel works best)
✔ A clear climbing route with stable connections
✔ A digging zone (digging bucket + humus/sand mix)
✔ Foraging area(s) for daily challenge
✔ Variety in texture: wood/cork/grass/moss/flowers
✔ Practical maintenance: zones that you can pick up/move
FAQ – Ratscaping for dwarf rats
What are the most popular ratscaping items?
Cork tunnels and tree trunk tunnels for routes and shelter, plus a digging pit with humus/sand mix. Moss and dried flowers complete the look.
Is a digging bucket useful for dwarf rats?
Yes, a separate digging bucket is ideal: you keep the cage tidy and you still provide a clear "digging zone" with its own subsoil.
How do I make ratscaping safe if they climb a lot?
Use stable setups, wide walkways, and intermediate platforms. Hanging or climbing equipment must be securely attached and cannot rotate or tilt.
Which categories are suitable for ratscaping?
Combine ratscaping with: Dwarf rat bedding , houses , exercise wheels and cages .
✔ Natural materials and smart enrichment for daily variety
✔ Practical to maintain by working with clear zones
✔ Specialist since 2011 – carefully selected range
✔ Ordered before 5pm, shipped the same day!
✔ Delivered from our own stock
