You have to keep your mouse or rat entertained and busy. They are intelligent animals that need physical and mental stimulation. If you can't spend a lot of time with them during the day, then provide good quality toys that are safe and give your pet something to do.
Parrot and cat toys make great toys for rats and mice. Parrot ladders, bells, novelty perches and much more are available and your rat or mouse will enjoy playing on them. They are made of sturdy plastic or wood and will last longer than cheaper ones. They are also brightly coloured and have bells and interesting bits and pieces for exploring and nibbling on.
Cat toys that are made of hard plastic also make great toys for mice and especially rats. They rattle and move and are brightly coloured. Don't use any products that have material or cat nip inside them. Rats and mice will quickly chew through them and may choke on the fibers.
Use your imagination when placing the toys in your pet's cage. They are very good at climbing and investigating their environment. We hang cat rattle balls and parrot ladders from the top of our rat and mice cages for climbing and exploring. If toys are left on the bottom of the cage they will only get covered in litter and mess anyway. Hanging them from the top or sides will keep them cleaner and it makes less mess for you too.
Just make sure that the plastic is quite hard and not too soft as those sharp teeth will soon nibble the toy and cause a choking hazard. Also avoid vinyl and cheaper wood as bits will be chewed off and swallowed causing choking hazards. Rats and mice love playing in cardboard rolls and boxes. They will eventually chew on them and may tear them up for nesting material, but they will provide them with endless hours of activity and stimulation and they cost nothing.
To make one of my favourite and cheapest rat and mouse toys all you need is a cardboard roll, some newspaper and some yoghurt treats. Staple one end of the roll and push screwed up pieces of newspaper into it, and then hide yoghurt drops in them. Keep doing this until the cardboard roll is full and staple the other end. This will give your pet a toy that will hold their interest and reward their natural instinct to investigate. When they've finished, just throw shredded paper away.
You can also make a great climbing treat for your rats and mice by making a chain of dog biscuits and paper clips. Just attach a paper clip to a dog biscuit that is about one or two inches in length. Attach another biscuit to it using another paper clip and continue until you have a chain of biscuits that is fun to climb on and fun to eat.
There aren't many commercial toys specifically made for rats or mice. There are tunnels for mice and wheels for both and that's about it. So use your imagination and be creative. Your pet mouse and rat will be more stimulated, intelligent and happier and healthier for your efforts too!
Sue Day has worked in the pet industry for many years. Now a full time dog trainer, Sue has put together a website of over 50 pages to share her knowledge and experiences of pet care.
If you would like more great tips and you would like to save some money on your pet bills for all your pets including dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice or rats, please go to: [http://www.save-money-on-pet-bills.com]
To receive great advice on dog training information, please go to http://www.messypawz.com
Whats On My YouTube Today?
Cassius the Hawkhead Parrot playing with a plastic ring
Here Are A Few Items From Amazon You Might Be Interested In.
 Zack & Zoey 5/8-Inch Nylon Dog Harness with Nickel-Plated D-ring and Plastic Buckles, Parrot Green List Price: Sale Price: $8.66 You save: $1.33 (13%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours  |
Zack & Zoey 1-Inch Nylon Dog Harness with Nickel-Plated D-ring and Plastic Buckles, Parrot Green List Price: Sale Price: $10.19 You save: $2.80 (22%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
 Paradise 2-Inch Round Rings Bird Toy List Price: Sale Price: $1.42 You save: $1.57 (53%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Paradise 1-Inch Round Rings Bird Toy Sale Price: $3.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 3-4 business days |
 2PK Insight Bird Toy Ring Clear (Catalog Category: Bird / Toys-plastic & Acrylic) List Price: Sale Price: $12.05 You save: $9.51 (44%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Byrdy Cable Swing 1 Ring - Large (Catalog Category: Bird / Toys-rope & Feather) List Price: Sale Price: $33.36 You save: $26.35 (44%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Byrdy Cable Swing 1 Ring - Small (Catalog Category: Bird / Toys-rope & Feather) List Price: Sale Price: $25.17 You save: $19.88 (44%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Byrdy Cable Swing 1 Ring - Medium (Catalog Category: Bird / Toys-rope & Feather) List Price: Sale Price: $30.90 You save: $24.41 (44%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Tropical Teasers Rings Of Fire (Catalog Category: Bird / Bird Toys-wood) List Price: Sale Price: $12.54 You save: $10.08 (45%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 3PK Insight Bird Toy Olympia Rings (Catalog Category: Bird / Toys-plastic & Acrylic) List Price: Sale Price: $11.30 You save: $12.73 (53%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
Items recently purchased on this site:
Thanks for visiting!
Tags: insurance, business, tips