Gnawing material for Rats in the Rat Webshop

You can easily and quickly purchase responsible gnawing material for your sweet rats at DRD Rodent Shop ^®

Rats have a natural need to gnaw. This is because rats are rodents and have continuously growing incisors. It is therefore necessary for rats to be able to gnaw on something to wear down their teeth. If rats have too few opportunities to wear down their teeth, the teeth can become too long or grow crooked, with all the consequences that entails.

Rodents use gnawing wood to wear down their teeth. Because rodents' teeth are always growing, they need to have something to gnaw on regularly so that they don't grow too long and crooked.

Some rats gnaw very actively on gnawing wood and others not at all. On the one hand it is a matter of taste, but on the other hand it is a matter of need. If a rat has no need to gnaw because its teeth remain long due to food, hay or other nibbles, then it will gnaw less on gnawing wood. It is good to always offer natural gnawing wood so that the animals can always gnaw when they have a need to gnaw.

How Fast Do Rodents and Rabbits' Teeth Grow?

Mice : About 0.3 millimeters per day
Hamsters : About 0.3 millimeters per day
Gerbils : About 0.4 millimeters per day
Rats : About 0.5 millimeters per day
Guinea pigs : About 2 to 3 millimeters per week
Rabbits : About 2 to 3 millimeters per week
Chinchillas : About 1.5 millimeters per week
Degus : About 1.5 millimeters per week

Do rats need gnawing wood?

Especially the herb harvest branches are very nice as gnawing material. The animals can wear down their teeth on the branches and also get healthy nutrients. Take for example the camomile harvest, this will besides nibbling fun also have a calming and soothing effect on the animals. The leaves are beautiful to drag around. Give your rats a different flavor every time and keep surprising the animals!

Does gnawing material help against problem behavior in rats?

As soon as the rats attack the hammock, you know it's time for gnawing material! A lot of problem behavior is caused by a lack of gnawing material and boredom. Therefore, vary the gnawing material on offer so that it doesn't get into a rut. The same piece of wood every day gets boring, but one day a piece of wood from the apple and the next day a nibble roll brings a bit more challenge.

If the animals gnaw at a certain spot in the enclosure, hang a piece of gnawing material in the form of a toy. As soon as the animals want to gnaw at that spot, they will be distracted by the toy and will start working with it.

How often can you give rats gnawing wood in snack form?

Gnawing material that is enriched with treats is very tasty and attractive to the animals. However, do not give this too often. Give mainly natural unenriched gnawing material and alternate this once a week or two weeks with gnawing material that is enriched with something tasty. This way it remains fun and healthy for the animals!

How do you check the teeth of rats?

For all rodents and rabbits it is important to check the teeth of the animals regularly. Because the teeth always grow, it is vital that they wear down regularly and straight. The image below shows what the teeth of rodents look like.

The most common indication of problems is weight loss in animals. As soon as problems with the teeth occur, this is painful and the animals can no longer eat properly. They will enthusiastically grab food but then not eat it. It can also happen that animals start drooling, keep their mouths open or eat strange materials that are, for example, softer than their own food. Always be alert to such signals. Prevention is always better than cure!

Are gnawing stones and limestones bad for rats?

We do not sell these because of the possible negative effect on health. The animals receive all the necessary minerals through a balanced diet. It is therefore not necessary to supplement this with limestone.

What are healthy gnawing stones for rats?

Fortunately, there are many healthy gnawing stones and materials available for rats today, which are safe and health-promoting. In addition to natural wood, many healthy gnawing stones are made from plant products without added sugar.

An Overview of Our Rodent Wood Varieties

1. Lime: Loved for its soft texture and flavour, Lime provides a pleasant chewing experience for Rats. Lime wood is known for its soft and light texture. It provides a mild gnawing sensation, making it suitable for all rodents and rabbits that enjoy softer materials. Lime wood has a light and mild flavour, making it attractive to animals without a strong preference.

2. Willow: With its crispy bark and juicy interior, Willow is a favorite choice for Rats who like to actively gnaw. Willow wood has a crispy bark and a soft core. It offers a varied texture that the animals can appreciate. Willow wood has a natural and light flavor, which makes it attractive to gnawing Rats.

3. Hazelnut: Hazelnut gnawing wood combines strength with taste, making it a sustainable and tasty choice for your gnawing friends. Hazelnut wood has a firm texture. It offers good resistance for Rats who like to actively gnaw. Hazelnut wood has a characteristic taste that Rats can appreciate.

4. Apple: Apple wood is a popular choice for gnawing material for Rats. Apple wood generally has a medium texture. It offers satisfying resistance when gnawing, which is ideal for animals that like to actively grind their teeth. Apple wood also has a mild and pleasant flavor. This subtle flavor can pique the curiosity of Rats, which makes them want to gnaw on the wood.

5. Birch: The light and airy nature of Birch makes it a versatile choice, perfect for Rats with different gnawing preferences. Birch wood has a light and airy texture. It is suitable for animals that prefer slightly less dense materials. Birch wood has a mild flavour, making it a versatile choice for different Rats.

6. Coffeewood : Coffeewood, made from coffee plants and generally has a soft and smooth texture which is very interesting for Rats. The taste of Coffeewood is a natural, earthy taste. Rats can certainly appreciate this taste while gnawing. Coffeewood is also known for its durability, it lasts a long time as gnawing material.

7. Beech: With its sturdy structure, Beech offers a long-lasting chewing challenge for Rats who like to be challenged. Beech wood has a sturdy and durable texture. It offers long-lasting gnawing pleasure and is suitable for animals who like a challenge. Beech wood has a neutral taste, which makes it attractive to animals without a clear preference.

8. Wood and Herb Branches: For animals that enjoy a tasty variety, wood and herb branches offer a combination of gnawing pleasure and aroma.

How do you use rodent wood for rats?

1. Placement in the enclosure: Simply place the gnawing wood in your animals' enclosure. They will instinctively nibble on it when the need to gnaw arises.

2. Durability: Rodent wood is long-lasting and does not need to be replaced every time the enclosure is cleaned. Only wet rodent wood needs to be removed to prevent mold.

Rodent Wood from the Garden or Picked Outside?

We strongly advise against picking gnawing wood from the garden or outside. Our gnawing wood is harvested and cleaned under protected conditions, making it free of possible parasites and contaminants that can occur in nature. Using our carefully selected gnawing wood ensures a safe and healthy gnawing experience for your animals.

Order Now and Let Your Rats Enjoy Natural Gnawing Fun!

Give your Rats the gifts of nature with our diverse range of gnawing wood. Order today and watch your Rats enjoy the gnawing adventure!