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what do i do with a pet rat that destroys everything in cage

14 replies

masterofdoomv1 · 15/10/2022 15:22

ive had her a couple of months ( ive got 4) and so far shes destroyed the hammock and swing in cage none of the others are like this and dont know what i should do im now wary of buying replacements for these items incase she does the same but then think thats not fair on the others

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Pixiedust1234 · 15/10/2022 15:35

Is she trying to use the bits for nesting?

What things have you got her to gnaw on?

lljkk · 15/10/2022 15:38

I wonder if she's quite clever & would take to training, if she needs more stimulation.

AmberGer · 15/10/2022 15:50

I've got one that used to do this. He has stopped now. But it was frustrating when I'd spent hours sewing lovely hammocks for them and he just chewed all of them up 🙄
I just buy Teatowels now, cut holes in them and hang them in such a way that they are in the style of double hammocks.
I had tried lots of types of enrichment and it still didn't stop him.
I always look on YouTube for isamu or emiology whenever I need advice with something rat related.

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AmberGer · 15/10/2022 15:52

Teatowel hammock

what do i do with a pet rat that destroys everything in cage
ratspeaker · 15/10/2022 16:26

Has she got lava ledges to chew on? Rats like to gnaw on things to keep teeth from getting overgrown.
Might be boredom so give them a challenge-
I give my rats strips of fleece to line hammocks with, they get a very lacy look after a while.
strips of kitchen roll stuffed in the bars for them to take and make nests
boredom breakers like stuffing a toilet roll inner tube with paper and treats, stringing popcorn along the bars,
toys that they have to puzzle out to get treats ( mine don’t go for these so much)
string up toilet roll for them to shred
I have a thick base of substrate and hide treats, pasta, nuts in it for them to dig into.
string dried pasta from bars

isamu rats as mentioned above have some good info
theres also rat groups on Facebook where you might get advice and ideas.

ratspeaker · 15/10/2022 16:29

Some of my rats

what do i do with a pet rat that destroys everything in cage
what do i do with a pet rat that destroys everything in cage
InsertPunHere · 15/10/2022 16:30

If she's got enough to gnaw on and sufficient enrichment she may well settle down. Rats also love novelty, so change things about a lot, redesign the layout of the cage regularly.

lljkk · 15/10/2022 16:33

more ratty pics please <<Awwwww>>

Irridescantshimmmer · 15/10/2022 16:42

She is a rodent so her teeth keep growing, rats need simething to nibble on for this reason, pet stores may have something suitable or find some twigs but check online first for suitability.

I previously owned indoor house rabbits as well as chinchillas, who have the sanw issue.

masterofdoomv1 · 15/10/2022 17:40

ill get her things to gnaw on but just seems weird shes the only one ive had this issue with with the hammock she broke one end and was litterally hitting it against cage so maybe gnawing has something to do with it but dont think thats the only reason she has toys she has three other rats to play with and i take them out daily and give them attention so i cant see why shed be bored ive even seen me put on music when im not in room so they have something to listen too cause ive heard music can relax them

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masterofdoomv1 · 15/10/2022 17:49

ok ive ordered them apple sticks on amazon should get them tomorow see if they help ill try trick with old tea towel too save a bit of money

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ratspeaker · 15/10/2022 18:12

Slightly blurry but you get the idea of pasta strings.

what do i do with a pet rat that destroys everything in cage
what do i do with a pet rat that destroys everything in cage
ratspeaker · 15/10/2022 18:33

In my many years of keeping rats I've found some are chewers and some not.
You'll see the hammock above has been well nibbled.
I keep a selection of different types of hammocks and discard as they get too damaged.

I use Fuzzbutts cage comforts
www.fuzzbutt.co.uk/
Also
www.ratwarehouse.com/
And
rattieangels.weebly.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

These seem to last longer than some, but there's many places to buy from.
I call it rat Feng Shui they like to add windows and sky lights and rearrange everything

masterofdoomv1 · 15/10/2022 18:47

thanks rats a lot of good stuff there i really appreciate this

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