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Rats play & forage – enrichment, brain games, sniffing mats and foraging toys
- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
Rats Play & Forage – Smart Enrichment That Stimulates Natural Behavior (and Prevents Boredom)
Rats are smart, curious, social animals. They want to climb, explore, destroy, cooperate, and above all, have something to do. Playing and foraging can make daily life in the cage challenging without it becoming "busy." Think sniffing for rewards, solving puzzles, rolling and pushing for snacks, or adding variety with demolition and hanging toys.
At DRD Rodent Shop® , you'll find foraging toys and enrichment that work well with rats: from sniff mats and treat balls to brain teasers. With clear tips to keep them safe, fun, and manageable in your routine. Specialists in rodents and rabbits since 2011.
Let rats search, push and sniff for rewards: less boredom, more natural behavior.
Watch play & forage →
Choose small rewards and vary: herbs, seeds or rat snacks are perfect for foraging play.
Rat snacks →
Combine toys with a digging bucket or ratscaping corner: search, dig and discover.
Rat digging bucket →
Choosing Rat Toys – Quick Selection Guide
Want to get comfortable quickly? Choose enrichment based on the goal : searching (foraging), destroying (gnawing/demolition), or working together (training/brainstorming).
1) For foraging (searching & sniffing)
- Start with 1 easy item (sniff/roll/play board) and reward with small pieces, herbs or seeds.
- Only make it more difficult once your rats understand the principle (this prevents frustration).
2) For demolishing & gnawing (losing energy)
- Always combine demolition/gnawing toys with additional gnawing material to direct the urge to gnaw.
- Change regularly: rats are particularly bored by repetition.
3) For training & collaboration (brainwork)
- Short sessions (1–3 minutes) with positive reinforcement work best.
- Ideal in addition to cage enrichment: you build trust and your rats use their brains.
✔ Pro tip: Create three "playsets" and rotate them every few days. This always feels "new" to rats.
What types of rat toys can you find in this category?
Here you will mainly find enrichment that suits the natural behaviour of tame rats:
- Foraging toys – rollers, balls, and plates that rats have to push, spin, or search for.
- Sniffing & Seeking Games – Hide treats and let rats search with their noses and paws.
- Brain games/strategy games – more challenging for smart rats (build up step by step).
- Hanging and climbing toys – combine with routes for safe climbing and “playing above”.
- Demolition toys – perfect for getting rid of energy (always check for wear and tear).
Foraging in practice – how to make it fun (and easy)
Foraging doesn't have to be complicated. With small steps, you can create a routine that keeps rats occupied every day:
- Start simple: 5–10 small rewards in a sniff or search item.
- Scatter feeding: scatter some of the food in the substrate (safe and natural).
- Create a digging corner: Use a digging bucket or Ratscaping zone for rooting and searching.
- Keep it small: foraging is about searching, not about “lots of extra snacks.”
Training & thinking – short sessions, big effect
Rats learn quickly. Brain games and (clicker) training are ideal for mental stimulation and cooperation. Keep it light:
✔ Train short and positive (stop before your rats are “ready”).
✔ Reward small: a mini piece, herb or seed is often enough.
✔ Build puzzles from easy to difficult – moments of success keep it fun.
Checklist – Playing & Foraging That “Right”
✔ Minimum 1 foraging item + 1 demolition/gnawing option (variety)
✔ Rewards are small and fit into your feeding plan ( rat food , herbs & seeds )
✔ Toys are rotated (new stimulus without extra stuff)
✔ Safely placed: no fall routes, no loose loops or sharp parts
✔ Combine with cage equipment for routes ( plateaus , tunnels )
Safety
Check toys regularly for gnawing damage , loose parts, and fraying. Choose sturdy materials and place enrichment so rats can't fall. Clean toys with suitable cleaning products, rinse thoroughly, and let everything dry completely. Use rewards sparingly: foraging is primarily about "searching," not "lots of extra snacks."
FAQ – Rats Playing & Foraging
How many toys does my rat need?
Better “smart” than “lots”: 2–3 fixed items (foraging + gnawing/demolition) and a small rotation usually works better than an overcrowded cage.
Which rewards are useful for foraging?
Small, dry treats are ideal: a small piece from the daily ration, or small amounts of herbs and seeds . This keeps it responsible and motivating.
Does foraging help with boredom?
Yes. Searching and puzzling takes time and energy. Combined with climbing and gnawing, you stimulate natural behavior and prevent "I'm going to destroy" moments.
How do I keep the cage rat-friendly and challenging?
Work with routes and zones: a rest zone ( hammocks / houses ), a play route ( platforms / tunnels ) and a search corner ( digging bucket / ratscaping ).
✔ Foraging toys and enrichment for smart, active rats
✔ Selection aid for searching, demolition, thinking and (mini) training
✔ Specialist since 2011
Order before 5 PM, shipped the same day | Delivered from our own stock | Specialist since 2011
