When you are looking for cage accessories and toys for pet rats and other rodents, it can be helpful to look in other departments of the pet store. I’ve bought a few things from the bird section of the pet store, including a wooden ladder and a hanging wooden toy with bells. I also got them a cotton rope perch. The rats have used their rope perch mostly as a perch – an extra place to sit and balance especially when looking for attention and treats at the front of the cage. It is easily attached to the cage bars – the ends have slotted plastic pieces that fit over a bar, and a plastic cap that twists over the ends on the outside of the cage bars fixes the perch very securely in place.
The perch is quite stiff; between the stiffness and the length there were limited locations in the cage where the rope would fit. You may find it difficult to position such a perch around your existing cage layout and accessories. I was also hoping the rats would use it more as a climbing type of toy. My rats have not chewed on the perch at all, as far as I can tell. However, if your pet chewed on the rope, it would have to be discarded quickly as you wouldn’t want to take a chance that your pet would swallow the smaller threads which are wound together to create the larger rope.
A good thick cotton rope can sometimes make a good addition to a pet rat or other rodent’s cage, though they may not make great use of it. Watch that your pet cannot fall a long way from such a rope perch or toy, and make sure your pet is not shredding the rope (and potentially swallowing it).
Provided by Creatures Corner reader Lianne McLeod
Did You Know
Guinea pigs are long lived, with an average lifespan of 5-7 years and can live up to 10 years. At an adult size of about 10 inches long and 2-3 pounds, they are also the largest of the commonly found pet rodents.
Gerbils live an average of 2-3 years and can live up 5 years. They have a body length of about 4 inches, with a furry tail that is almost as long as their body. Never pick a gerbil up by that tail.
Syrian or golden hamsters live on average about 2-3 years. Adults are about 6 inches in length. They are solitary animals that should be kept one to a cage.
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