Do Rats Need Free Roam?

Rats do not need to be in their cages all the time, but they do need access to space and freedom to move about. Initially, you should introduce the rats slowly, letting them out of the cage for 15-30 minutes at a time. Over time, your rat will adjust to having more freedom.

When you give rats access to space, they can gnaw on things that aren’t good for them, such as wood baseboards and wall plaster. They will also chew on furniture, books, bugs, papers, and upholstery. If rats are not properly restrained, they can gnaw through any of these items.

Rats enjoy playing and need a safe place to explore. You can make tunnels for them to explore, and you can fill them with soft material like toilet paper tubes or cut-up clothing. Remember to supervise them at all times. Rats also like to play in water, so you should provide shallow containers for them to play in.

If you can’t afford a large outdoor space, you should place a rat’s cage in a room with a floor space where it can run around. This is good for the rat’s health and reinforces your bond with it. But don’t go overboard: rats don’t need to be free of a cage. Even the largest cage can’t accommodate all their energy.