This (updated) guide reviews all of the best rat toys and wheels you can buy this year.
Rats are energetic and intelligent creatures that cannot do without toys. The more toys you have in their cage, the happier they’ll be.
Just like tiny adventurers, rats need the perfect tools to keep them active, engaged, and entertained. Whether it’s a thrilling exercise wheel for their spirited sprints or a treasure trove of captivating toys to ignite their curious minds, we’ve curated the top picks for the best rat toys and wheels in 2023 based on our detailed 40-point inspection. Keep reading to learn more and bring out the boundless joy in your rat’s life.
The 8 Best Rat Toys and Wheels
| Top Products | Top Features |
| #1. Kaytee FerretTrail Flex-E Fun-Nel (Best Overall) | Hours of fun and engagement |
| #2. Kaytee Crinkle Oversized Tunnel | Promotes mental and physical stimulation |
| #3. Living World, Teach ‘N Treat Toy for Small Breeds | Brain boosting fun for rats |
| #4. SNOMEL 10-Pack Small Animal Combo Apple Wood Activity Toys | Includes chew toys with embedded snacks |
| #5. DAMPET Small Animal Play Balls and Chew Toys | Hand-woven from 100% natural material |
| #6. Oxbow Enriched Life Woody Combo | Excellent for dental health promotion |
| #7. Niteangel Super Silent Exercise Wheel for Small Animals | Super-silent operation |
| #8. Exotic Nutrition Silent Runner Exercise Wheel for Small Pets | Silent and fast operation |
Best Rat Toys and Wheels Revealed
#1. Kaytee FerretTrail Flex-E Fun-Nel
- Flexible and versatile design
- Safe and durable playtime
- Space-saving modular design
- Excellent for interactive play
The Kaytee FerretTrail Flex-E Fun-Nel is an innovative and entertaining accessory designed specifically for ferrets and other small pets. These long tubes give your rat a chance to explore a tunnel system. But unlike other tunnels, this isn’t one straight pathway. The Flex-E Funnels are flexible, and you can twist them however you want. Your rat will have non-stop fun with this amazing toy.
The set includes various bendable and extendable pieces that can be easily connected, allowing you to create custom tunnel configurations to suit your pet’s preferences and space constraints. The vibrant and eye-catching colors of the Fun-Nel add to the overall appeal and create an enticing playground for your curious companion.
#2. Kaytee Crinkle Oversized Tunnel
- Suitable for multiple pets
- Enriching playtime
- High-quality, pet-safe fabric
- Easy storage and portability
The Kaytee Crinkle Tunnel is an oversized crackling tube designed to provide endless fun and excitement for small pets like guinea pigs, ferrets, rats, and chinchillas. This tunnel is crafted with pet-friendly materials, ensuring a safe and engaging playtime experience for your furry companions.
Tunnels are excellent toys for rats, but this tunnel may exceed your expectations. In addition to offering a nice hideaway for your rats, it also makes playtime fun and exciting. It has crinkle paper for added fun. As your furry critter crawls through it, the tunnel makes loud noises. Most rats love the sound and will run through the tunnel listening for the crinkles.
#3. Living World, Teach ‘N Treat Toy for Small Breeds
- Hours of safe ad fun playtime
- Adjustable difficulty levels
- Encourages natural foraging behavior
- Promotes exploring and discovering
Rats are intelligent and curious creatures, but people don’t often give them a chance to express their intellect. The Living World Teach’ N Treat is one toy that puts their intelligence to the test. This toy isn’t about letting a rat crawl through tunnels. It’s about training rats and stimulating their brains.
Not only is it an engaging treat dispenser, but it also doubles as an excellent hide-and-seek game. Watch your chinchilla explore, discover, and learn as they search for hidden treats within the toy’s compartments. Each rat has its own level of intelligence and problem-solving abilities. The Teach N Treat Toy allows you to adjust the difficulty level to suit your pet’s skill level. Start with an easy setup and gradually increase the complexity as your chinchilla becomes more adept at solving the puzzles.
#4. SNOMEL 10-Pack Small Animal Combo Apple Wood Activity Toys
- Suitable for rats and other small animals
- Varied activity toys
- Promotes dental health
- Designed with 100% organic apple wood
The SNOMEL activity toys are the ultimate assortment of organic and natural accessories for your beloved pets! Designed with the well-being of hamsters, rats, chinchillas, and other small animals in mind, this combo pack provides endless hours of entertainment and essential dental care.
Beyond providing entertainment, these apple wood toys also double as fantastic natural accessories for your pets’ habitat. They add a touch of wilderness to their environment while serving a practical purpose. Say goodbye to boredom and dental worries as your pets indulge in these organic, safe, and entertaining chew toys available in a variety of shapes, styles, and sizes.
#5. DAMPET Small Animal Play Balls and Chew Toys
- Perfect for small animals who like to chew
- Engages rats in active play
- Compatible with multiple small animals
- Provides dental health benefits
The DAMPET Rat Toys are a delightful collection of chew grass balls and rolling chew toys specially crafted to enhance the dental health and playtime of your beloved small pets. Designed with the well-being of bunnies, rabbits, chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rats, and mice in mind, this 9-piece set offers a wide array of stimulating and safe entertainment.
Made from all-natural grass, these balls provide a satisfying texture that promotes dental health by keeping your pets’ teeth in check. The rolling action encourages physical activity and stimulates your pets’ instincts to explore and forage. They are built to last, ensuring countless hours of engaging fun for your small pets.
#6. Oxbow Enriched Life Woody Combo
- Promotes interactive playtime
- Excellent for dental health
- Offers mental stimulation
- Pet-safe and non-toxic materials used
The Woody Combo is designed to withstand the enthusiastic play of small animals. The sturdy wooden construction ensures the toys are long-lasting, providing your pets with hours of engaging fun and entertainment. This combo toy comprises a selection of high-quality wooden toys that are safe and enjoyable for small pets. Each toy is crafted from natural wood, which is an irresistible material for animals with a natural urge to chew and gnaw.
From chewable blocks and sticks to interactive puzzles and hanging toys, this combo has something for every small pet’s play preference. Whether you have rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, rats, or other small animals, they will find joy and enrichment in this diverse toy collection.
#7. Niteangel Super Silent Exercise Wheel for Small Animals
- Guaranteed durability and longevity
- Transparent design
- Adjustable stand
- Smooth and comfortable running surface
The Niteangel Exercise Wheels are engineered to provide a whisper-quiet running experience for your small pets. Say goodbye to noisy disturbances as your furry companions indulge in their exercise routine, allowing them to run and play without causing any disturbances to you or your household.
Whether you have hamsters, gerbils, mice, or other small animals, this exercise wheel is the ideal accessory to keep them active and healthy. The M-sized wheel offers a perfect fit for these tiny pets, ensuring comfortable and safe exercise sessions. Regular exercise is vital for the physical and mental well-being of small animals. This exercise wheel offers a fun and engaging way for your pets to burn off excess energy, reduce stress, and stay fit, leading to healthier and happier pets.
#8. Exotic Nutrition Silent Runner Exercise Wheel for Small Pets
- Generous 12” width
- Durable construction
- Innovative design
- Versatile compatibility
The Exotic Nutrition Silent Runner is ingeniously crafted to offer a noise-free exercise session for your furry friends. The innovative design ensures that your pets can run and play without creating any disruptive sounds. Built to withstand the enthusiastic play of small animals, the Silent Runner is constructed from high-quality materials, ensuring exceptional durability and long-lasting performance. This wheel is designed to endure the test of time, providing countless hours of exercise fun for your pets.
The included cage attachment makes installation a breeze, allowing you to conveniently attach the wheel to your pets’ enclosure. This feature ensures stability and security, so your pets can safely run to their heart’s content without any worries.
Bonus Products!
#9. Kaytee Knot Nibbler
- Promotes the gnawing action
- Excellent for dental health
- Multiple uses
- Made of natural materials
The Kaytee Nut Knot Nibbler is made from all-natural wood, providing a safe and irresistible texture for small pets to chew on. The gnawing action helps keep their teeth healthy and trim, preventing dental issues that are common in small animals.
This nibbler features a fun and interactive design with chewable wooden balls and blocks, reminiscent of nuts. Your furry friend will love exploring and nibbling on this nut-inspired toy, keeping them mentally stimulated and entertained.
#10. Niteangel Treat Ball Toy
- Enriching and stimulating
- Suitable for various small animals
- User-friendly design
- Keeps small animals engaged and entertained
The Niteangel Treat Ball is specifically designed to hold small treats or snacks for your furry companions. Fill it with their favorite treats, pellets, or fruits, and watch as your small pets engage in playful foraging and munching activities. This treat ball promotes mental stimulation and encourages natural foraging behavior in small animals. As they roll the ball and work to retrieve the treats, they will be engaged, entertained, and mentally stimulated.
Using the Niteangel Treat Ball is not only fun for your pets but can also serve as an interactive bonding tool between you and your furry friends. You can play and interact with them while they enjoy their treat-filled adventures.
#11. MWAOWM Foraging Toys for Small Animals
- Keeps rats and other small animals mentally engaged
- Provides interactive enrichment
- Treat-dispensing fun
- Made of safe and non-toxic material
Introducing the MWAOWM Guinea Pig Foraging Toys, the ultimate 6-in-1 set of wooden interactive enrichment toys designed to provide endless fun and mental stimulation for your small animals! These treat dispensers offer a delightful and engaging playtime experience for guinea pigs, rabbits, bunnies, chinchillas, hamsters, rats, and gerbils.
Foraging and interactive toys are essential for small animals, as they provide mental and physical stimulation. These toys require problem-solving and exploration, allowing your pets to forage for treats, promoting a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. It prevents boredom and encourages healthy behaviors, leading to happier and healthier small animals.
#12. YKD Exercise Wheel for Small Animals
- Premium aluminum alloy construction
- Large size with 15” diameter
- Smooth and silent operation
- Versatile wheel suitable for various small pets
The YKD Exercise Wheel offers a generous 15″ diameter, providing ample space for your rats to run and play comfortably. This spacious design ensures that even larger animals like chinchillas can enjoy their exercise without feeling cramped.
This exercise wheel is made from high-quality aluminum alloy, offering exceptional durability and strength. The robust build ensures that it can handle the weight and activity of your small pets without warping or breaking. Whether you have active chinchillas, speedy Syrian hamsters, playful fancy rats, or curious hedgehogs, this exercise wheel is tailored to meet the exercise needs of a variety of small animals.
Best Rat Toys and Wheels – A Buyer’s Guide
Ready to invest in the well-being and entertainment for your adorable pet rat? This buyer’s guide answers all the questions you might have.
Why Are Toys and Exercise Wheels Important for Small Pets
Providing toys and an exercise wheel for a pet rat is essential for their physical and mental well-being. Here are some reasons why these items are important:
Physical Exercise
Rats are highly active animals and need regular physical exercise to stay healthy and prevent obesity. An exercise wheel allows them to run, which mimics their natural behavior of exploring and foraging in the wild.
Mental Stimulation
Toys and an exercise wheel offer mental enrichment for pet rats. They are intelligent and curious creatures that need mental stimulation to prevent boredom and enhance their cognitive abilities.
Preventing Behavioral Issues
Without proper mental and physical stimulation, pet rats can develop behavioral problems, such as excessive grooming, chewing on cage bars, or aggressive behavior. Toys and an exercise wheel help prevent these issues by providing an outlet for their energy and curiosity.
Dental Health
Rats have continuously growing teeth that need regular wear. Gnawing on toys and exercise wheels helps to keep their teeth trim and healthy, preventing dental problems that can be painful and lead to health issues.
Stress Reduction and Bonding
Toys and an exercise wheel can help reduce stress and anxiety in pet rats. Engaging in play and exercise releases endorphins, which promote a sense of well-being and relaxation.
On the other hand, interactive toys and an exercise wheel provide opportunities for you to bond and interact with your pet rat. Playing together can strengthen your relationship and build trust.
Features to Look for When Buying Toys and Wheel for Rats
When buying toys and an exercise wheel for a pet rat, there are several important features to consider to ensure that you choose items that are safe, stimulating, and suitable for your furry friend’s needs. Here are some key features to look for:
Size
Ensure that the toys and exercise wheel are appropriately sized for your pet rat. Avoid toys with small parts that can be swallowed or get stuck in their mouths.
Material
Opt for toys made from pet-safe materials such as non-toxic plastics, untreated wood, or fabric. Avoid items with harmful chemicals or sharp edges.
Durability
Rats are avid chewers, so look for toys and wheels that are sturdy and durable to withstand their gnawing and play.
Easy to Clean
Choose toys and wheels that are easy to clean and maintain to promote a hygienic environment for your pet rat.
Variety
Offer a variety of toys that cater to different types of play, such as chew toys, climbing structures, and puzzle toys. This keeps your rat mentally stimulated and prevents boredom.
Gnawing Opportunities
Rats need to gnaw to keep their teeth healthy. Look for toys and wheels made from materials that allow them to satisfy their natural chewing instincts.
Safety
Ensure that the toys and wheel do not have any small parts that could be ingested or pose a choking hazard. Avoid toys with strings or ropes that could entangle your rat.
Interactive Features
Choose toys that encourage interactive play, such as toys with hiding spots or treat dispensers. Interactive toys promote mental stimulation and bonding with your pet rat.
Noise Level
For exercise wheels, opt for silent or low-noise options to avoid disturbing your rat’s environment and minimize stress.
Ease of Use
Select an exercise wheel that is easy for your rat to use and doesn’t require too much effort to get it moving.
Safety Mechanisms
If you choose a wheel, ensure that it has safety mechanisms to prevent your rat’s tail or feet from getting caught during use.
Compatibility
Consider the specific needs and preferences of your pet rat. Some rats may prefer a solid exercise wheel, while others may enjoy mesh or wire wheels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of toys are best for rats?
The best toys for rats are those that promote physical and mental stimulation. Look for toys that encourage chewing, climbing, and interactive play, such as chew toys, hammocks, tunnels, and puzzle toys.
Can I use a hamster wheel for my rat?
Hamster wheels are not recommended for rats as they are often too small and can cause back problems. Instead, opt for a larger, solid-surface exercise wheel specifically designed for rats to ensure their safety and comfort.
Is it important to provide different types of toys for rats?
Yes, offering a variety of toys is beneficial as it keeps rats mentally engaged and prevents boredom. Mix up chew toys, climbing structures, and interactive toys to provide a stimulating environment for your rats.
What material should rat toys be made of?
Rat toys should be made from pet-safe materials such as non-toxic plastics, untreated wood, or fabric. Avoid toys with small parts that could be swallowed or sharp edges that may cause injury.
How do I clean rat toys and the exercise wheel?
Clean rat toys and the exercise wheel regularly with mild soap and water. Rinse thoroughly and allow them to dry completely before returning them to the rat’s habitat.
Most people know that a nutritious and balanced diet is essential for their furry friend’s health. But, did you know that enrichment opportunities are also essential to your pet’s health and happiness? Here are some fun and easy ways to provide enrichment for rats each day:
