This article is from the WSSF 2007 AFRMA Rat & Mouse Tales news-magazine.

By Laura Tukey

My rats love papier-mâché toys. I got the idea from an enrichment toy for monkeys at the zoo. I adapted this for birds and rats. This is cheaper than pet store toys and fun for the rats.

• Use a balloon, tie twine to the knot of the balloon.
• Wet paper strips in the paste (a mixture of water and flour or other starch, mixed to the consistency of heavy cream), and layer adding fruit and nut treats, twine, cotton batting, etc.
• Let dry.
• Pop balloon with pin and pull out by string.
• Tie and hang in your rats’ cage.