Rats play & forage – enrichment, brain games, sniffing mats and foraging toys
The 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 moreWith the JR Farm Snack Play Mobile, the fun really begins! Crunchy cookies, a Grass Roll, and a willow ball provide both challenge and enrichment. The rodents really have to work hard to get their treats, because everything flutters around, making the cha
Read moreThe JR Farm Draai Snack is a versatile snack that provides an extra challenge. The treats are hidden in the wood, the animals have to make an effort to get to them because the wheel spins and that makes it more difficult to get to the treats. The twist sn
Read moreThat's what little rodents love to do most - explore. Being busy all day and exploring the enclosure by climbing is fun and healthy for our little friends. With the climbing rope you give your little rodent the opportunity to get rid of his energy and kee
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
Some rodents such as: Mice, Gerbils, Syrian Hamsters, Rats and Degus are quite good climbers. The wooden climbing stick is especially fun for rodent climbers! This climbing stick is equipped with a screw so that it can be attached to a barred cage.
Read moreOkay, we admit it, this toy won't throw your guinea pigs into orbit! But it will give them a stimulating boredom buster! While one Guinea pig loves racing through the tunnel, the other Guinea pig will take a wonderful nap in it. As the animals walk throug
Read moreThe 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 more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
The JR Farm Back To Instinct Active Boom awakens your rodent's original instincts! Rodents and rabbits have to find their own food in the wild, which means searching, climbing, getting up, in short, getting moving. The tree provides many food hiding place
Read moreWelcome, adventurous rodent friends, to the ultimate play and foraging tree that will turn your daily life upside down! It's time to get playing, climbing and clambering in full swing, because here is the long-awaited, super fun play tree for little climb
Read moreThe Trixie Feeding Tree is a unique tree that can be filled with vegetables, twigs and treats. The animals have to work hard to get to their treats, just like in the wild, which provides an extra challenge in the enclosure. The feeding tree is made of unt
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 more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
This 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 moreGet ready for a rodent party with the JR Farm Slinger Box of Hay & Herbs!
Read moreThe Spooky Pumpkin Rodent Toy isn’t just for Halloween; it provides endless fun for our furry friends all year round. During Halloween, it adds an extra touch of spooky fun to the lives of rodents and rabbits! Made from loofah and rattan, this toy offers
Read moreJR Farm Wooden Hanging Nibble Roll - The Perfect Mix of Toys and Snacks! Discover the ultimate combination of toys and snacks for your beloved rodents with the JR Farm Wooden Hanging Nibble Roll! This unique treat is specially formulated to provide your f
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
With this flexible suspension bridge the fun can really begin. Mice and Rats in particular love walking over it. The bridge is simple but very stable to attach to the bars. The hanging system consists of special metal clamps. The wooden slats lie, as it w
Read moreIt's great fun to do something together and since rodents are active and intelligent animals, this Agility Set is a great addition to daily activities! Rats and Dwarf Rabbits will especially enjoy this game.
Read moreGet ready for the ultimate adventure with the JR Farm Large Grass Maze for Rodents & Rabbits!
Read moreTreat your beloved rodents and rabbits to these delicious Willow Balls, enriched with a tasty mix of vegetables, herbs and seeds. Specially designed for the needs of your little furry friends, these chewing toys provide a healthy and tasty distraction.
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
Let your rodents and rabbits be spoiled with our Giftbox with 8 Play Balls! This beautiful gift box contains 8 play balls of approximately 8 to 11 cm, made of a mix of seagrass, rattan and cotton. With a variety of textures and materials, these play balls
Read moreCosy willow balls to nibble and play with. The willow balls are packed per three. The dyes that are used are 100% natural!
Read moreSpiral Climbing Rope 50 cm - Natural climbing fun for small animals! Give your small animals a challenging and stimulating living environment with this sturdy 50 cm Spiral Climbing Rope. Ideal for mice, rats and birds such as parakeets, this flexible clim
Read moreHey there, rat lovers! We've put together an epic Snuffelbox especially for your little rats, packed with CRAZY surprises. We've combined our brilliant rat knowledge, experience, and creativity to delight you and your furry friend. Prepare to be surprised
Read moreRats 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

