Assorted Rat Toy Ideas: The Digging Box

Rats, like all other pets, also need toys to self-actualize; something which most owners fail to realize. These overly active rodents will be more lively and friendly if they are involved in various rat-cantered activities which are best complemented by rat toys. Listed below are some of the most popular rat toys available in the market today; have your pick!

The Digging Box

Who would have guessed that rats also fancy having a sand digging box? We all know just how much toddlers, girls and boys alike, enjoy digging and shaping sand inside their very own play-box; rats also share the same feeling. However, a rat's digging box is not filled with sand; in order to let little plants and grasses to grow inside the box, owners would use humus to fill it up. The plants will encourage your pet rat to play more often inside the box. It will nibble through them and dig them up to chew on their roots. Some rats would even make trenches under the plants to serve like a den when the feel like having a break from the hot day. An average digging box has the following descriptions:

1. The Box

The best size would be 40 by 30 by 20 centimetres or 16 by 12 by 8 inches. It is ideal if you can find a plastic plant tub with this dimension because such tubs have drainage holes on its floor already. Cardboard boxes also make an excellent digging box, but because of its material, the box is also disposable.

2. The Fill

The easiest option is to buy sterilized soil; garden shops usually sell such in small packets. The best thing about ready-to-use soil is that it is already filtered from chemicals and bugs which can harm your pet in the long run. Such soil packets also have contents which are 100% natural -- no added fertilizers or anything else. But, of course, you can also dig some soil from your backyard. Just make sure that the soil you use is clean and free from bugs.

3. The Plants

Your pets will like the digging box better if it has plants in it. Toss in some birdseeds into the box and water the seeds lightly. Wait for a few days to see if the seeds have sprouted. In less than a week, the soil bed will be filled with greeneries which your rat will definitely love. As a reminder, do not water the plants at least 1 day before you let your rat/s in it. Otherwise, the soil will get muddy and your rat will get extremely dirty.

4. The Location

It is already expected that your rat will "mess-up", thus, in order to prevent them from "spreading the mess", might as well place a couple of plastic sheets around the box. Choose a location that is easy to clean up too; of course, you should avoid areas in the house where the rats can run into carpets, furniture or wall papers. Plan everything carefully; you can even add other toys outside the digging box and surround the area with plastic pegs to serve as a fence.

5. The Rats

Expect that your rats will get extremely excited right after you place them in the box. Do not over react when they immediately run to and fro; just enjoy the fact that your rat is having fun. To add more excitement, you can also bury some rat treats in the box; your pet will be very surprised to find a treat after digging through the soil. The box is so much more fun if your rat is not alone, so if you only have one rat, invite a friend rat-owner to come over (just make sure that your rats are also friends).