Rat Digging Box – Digging & Sniffing Enrichment for Tame Rats (Natural, Play Box or Bio Bin)
Clean play sand for rodents and rabbits. This special sand is washed, free of contamination and TÜV certified. The sand is slightly moist and contains a small amount of clay, making it pleasant to dig.
Read moreThe DiggingFun Sand-Mix from bunnyNature offers your pets the greatest digging fun - recommended by rabbits and of course also bunny tested!
Read moreCoconut Fiber Humus is a blend of coconut fiber and humus. This natural ground cover is suitable for small rodents and promotes their natural digging behavior. The ground cover can expand up to 7 to 8 times its original size, has a pH between 5.0 and 6.0,
Read morePeat is specially prepared for small rodents. Peat for rodents is very natural and ideal as bedding or for a diggable environment such as a digging pit or natural landscaping (bioactive). All burrowing rodents, such as hamsters, mice, rats, etc., have a n
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
Special organic peat/sand mixture for rodents. The humus satisfies the animals' natural digging needs. No added fertilizers. Perfect for a natural German-style habitat or for hamster scavenging.
Read moreMore and more rodent habitats are getting a completely natural look. Trixie Cave sand is ideal for a natural rodent habitat. The sand is ideally suited for burrowing reptiles and other terrarium inhabitants. The sand has a high quality...
Read moreCoconut & Coconut 25 Liter as a natural ground cover gives a very natural look to the rodent enclosure. In addition to the look, it is dust-free and absorbs moisture quickly and easily. It does not mold and is therefore also very suitable for outdoor use.
Read moreRodent grass is special grass that you can grow for your rodents. You don't need to have green fingers! :) The grass is ready within a week and can be given to the rodents. You can put the grass in the provided container in the enclosure...
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
The aroma of the thyme herb plant alone benefits the respiratory tract of both humans and animals. The delightful thyme scent is refreshing.
Read moreDelicious fresh chamomile for rodents and rabbits. Rodents also frequently encounter chamomile in the wild and enjoy its natural flavor.
Read moreThe vitamin plant, also known as the tortoise plant, is a tasty and healthy addition to your rodent or rabbit's daily diet! This plant is also excellent for decorating their enclosure and, especially, for food enrichment.
Read moreThe botanical name Chlorophytum is derived from the Greek terms chloros = yellowish-green and phyton = plant. The green lily is not only a beautiful houseplant but also popular with cats and rodents because of its sturdy leaves. Even birds and terrarium i
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
The delightful scent of this plant is almost reminiscent of lemon ice cream! The name "melissa" is derived from the Greek word for honeybee (Melitta).
Read moreDelicious fresh dandelion is a favorite food for rodents and rabbits. Dandelion is part of the natural diet of many rodents, just as it is eaten in the wild.
Read moreThis delicious organic cat grass is finer than regular cat grass and can be eaten by rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, tortoises, reptiles, cats, and ornamental birds. It's a tasty and healthy addition to any cat's daily diet!
Read moreThe compact-growing blood sorrel 'Little Red Pixie' is also very attractive because of its red veins. However, sorrel does require a special diet. The smaller the rodent, the smaller the portion should be. Place the plant in the enclosure for short period
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
The wild strawberry is native throughout Europe and northern Asia. In the wild, it grows preferably in light deciduous and coniferous forests. It is a herbaceous, perennial, and evergreen plant, usually 5 to 25 cm tall and therefore smaller than the commo
Read moreDelicious BIO cat grass for rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, turtles, reptiles, cats, ornamental birds. The cat grass is a tasty and healthy addition to the daily menu of your rodent!
Read moreThe Plantain is a robust native meadow plant and a valuable plant for rodents, birds, turtles and reptiles.
Read moreWith the JR Farm Litter Summer Feeling, your rodent will imagine itself in a beautiful summer environment. With flower meadows and aromatic flowers as well as lush foliage, there is plenty to discover and gnaw on. The bedding is 100% natural and therefore
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
With the JR Farm Litter Forest Feeling, your rodent will imagine itself in a beautiful wooded environment. With crispy poplar bark and crunchy pine cones, there is plenty to discover and gnaw on. The ground cover is 100% natural and therefore also edible.
Read moreWith the JR Farm Litter Forest Feeling, your rodent will imagine itself in a beautiful farm environment. With deliciously crispy hay and fresh ears of corn, there is plenty to discover and gnaw on. The bedding is 100% natural and therefore edible for the
Read moreA unique and natural nesting material for your rodent! The moss is dried and gives the rodent enclosure a natural look. It is 100% safe for rodents.
Read moreThanks to this sieve shovel, the sand is sieved in no time and all excrement is removed. The shovel has a pleasant handle made of plastic. The sieve itself is made of stainless steel.
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Rat Digger – Rooting, Sniffing and Searching as Daily Enrichment
Rats are curious, intelligent, and love variety. A rat digging box (also called a sniffing box or digging box) is a simple way to encourage natural behavior: rooting, sniffing, digging, and foraging. You can create a "search and play area" in minutes—in the cage or during off-leash time—without having to rebuild the entire enclosure.
At DRD Rodent Shop® , you'll find practical materials for digging pits and (natural) digging mixes suitable for rat enclosures. Specialists in rodents and rabbits since 2011.
Sprinkle some treats among the light filling and let your rats search. Perfect for beginners and a quick variation.
Play & Forage →
Coconut fibre/humus and structural material create a fine soil for rooting and pushing.
View excavator bucket products →
Add cork, moss, or natural hiding places for routes, textures, and extra challenge.
Ratscaping →
Choosing a rat digging bucket – quick selection guide
First choose your goal: do you mainly want to search/forage (sniffing box) or do you also want to actually root and dig (digging box with substrate)?
- Snuffelbak (low-threshold): light filling + a few small snacks or seeds. Ideal for daily variety.
- Digging bucket (more "soil feel"): coconut fibre/humus as a base + structure (e.g. coconut chips/moss) for a pleasant digging effect.
- Sand/search zone (firmer): use only suitable sand (not powdery) and keep it dust-free.
Tip : Hide some of the food in the digging bucket. This way, you combine digging enrichment and foraging into a single routine.
What is a rat digger?
A digging box is a separate container (or deep container insert) that you fill with diggable or sniffable material. Your rats can safely root around in it, move the material, follow scents, and search for rewards. This provides mental stimulation, helps prevent boredom, and is also fun to watch.
Filling & mixing: what often works well?
- Coconut fiber or humus : a popular base for a natural digging pit. Add structure for extra "body."
- Coconut chips /natural sprinkles: make the mix lighter and more interesting to work with.
- Moss or natural decoration (functional): provides texture and “search spots”.
- Suitable sand (heavier, not powdery): can be used as a separate area. Avoid dusty varieties if your rats are sensitive.
- Sniffing stuffing (paper/cardboard): ideal as a “snack search box” and quick to refresh.
Want fun digging and a fresh cage? Combine a digging bucket with a dust-reducing bedding in the main enclosure.
How to set up a bucket (practical & rat-proof)
- Choose a sturdy container with sufficient height so that the material does not end up everywhere.
- Start dry and organized ; only add extras (moss, plants, or structure) later when you see how your rats interact with it.
- Hide treats : Use small pieces of treats or a handful of herbs and seeds for a search.
- Place wisely : in the cage on a stable level, or during free-range time in the rat run .
Maintenance – how to keep your bucket fresh
Scoop out visible urine/wet spots daily and remove any leftover fresh food. Change (part of) the litter as soon as it remains damp or develops a strong odor. A sniffing box with paper or cardboard is quickest to change; a natural digging mix can often be partially changed.
Safety
Introduce new materials slowly and observe how your rats interact with them. Preferably choose low-dust bedding, especially for rats with sensitive respiratory systems. Check the litter box for sharp edges and remove any loose, unsuitable parts immediately. If there are any noticeable changes in behavior or condition, consult a veterinarian.
Checklist – Getting your rat trap right the first time
✔ Sturdy container with high edge (less mess).
✔ Dust-free filling that suits your purpose (sniffing or digging).
✔ Hide rewards: small snacks or seeds.
✔ Place the litter box stable (cage or run) and supervise the first sessions.
✔ Spot clean daily, partially refresh periodically.
FAQ – rat digger
Is a digging bucket suitable for every rat?
In practice, yes: some rats are released immediately, others need a little more time. Start small with a sniffing box and gradually build up.
How deep should an excavator bucket be?
A shallow container is ideal for sniffing. If you want more of a "digging" experience, choose a deeper container with a higher rim so you can offer more substrate.
Which filling is the most practical?
Paper/cardboard is quickly replaceable and ideal for foraging. Coconut fiber/humus (with texture) provides a natural "soil experience."
Can I put a bucket in the cage?
Yes, provided it's securely positioned. Many owners also use the digging bucket as an activity in the run during off-leash time.
✔ Enrichment that rats actually use: rooting, sniffing, searching
✔ Can be combined with ground cover, ratscaping and foraging
✔ Specialist since 2011
Order before 5 PM, shipped the same day | Delivered from our own stock | Specialist since 2011

