Making rats exercise?!

I need a way to make Luna exercise. She eats and sleeps and is noticeably tubbier than the others... I don't think it's to do with the type of food I give them as Scarlet and Ruby especially are perfectly proportioned for their size. Those two do loads of exercise and are always running around, making nests, rearranging, grooming...while Luna sleeps. A lot. In all sorts of hilarious positions, and eats... then sleeps some more.

I'm especially worried as I know Laura mentioned to me recently that spaying can be more risky in an overweight rat, and due to Luna's past health problems this may need to be an option for her at some point (hopefully not though).

She doesn't even know what the wheel is for, I've tried that. My cage layout is purposely not easy, but she's agile enough when she needs to be, she just makes the trip to the top of the cage only when it's absolutely necessary (usually when she needs peace to SLEEP some more on her own, so she even has a nap before making the journey back down again!)

She bores easily of free range time, but maybe I'm just doing the same old thing too often. Any ideas would be very welcome!

She's almost 15 months old.

Have you tried free ranging on the stairs? I scatter treats on the steps so the tubby rats have to move up and down to eat..

I would take her out when you put food in the cage (either morning or evening - evening is best to feed really) - take her out while the others get a good share, and make her go up and down the stairs. Be vigilant, it can take a while to show effects!

xx

If only I had stairs! Will try taking her out while the others eat.

Just get a feather wand and get her to do ten minutes every day chasing it around the sofa, or even the floor, while the others are eating!

xx

Ooo I haven't made one of those in ages, I'll do that. Thanks

Taking her out so the others get the first crack of the food is what I try,and then its just finding something she's interested in if she gets bored after a few mins out,maybe try multiple short trips out free ranging,its more time consuming but should help with time,its my plan for my lot any way