Small snack puzzle made of pinewood. Fill the hollows with pellets or treats and let your hamster, mouse, gerbil, rat or degu search for them. Helps prevent boredom. Read more.
In the wild, rodents spend a large part of the day searching for food. They sniff, dig and poke around wherever something tasty might be hidden. In an enclosure, food is usually just waiting in a bowl. The snuffle puzzle Gus from Duvo+ brings that searching back. It is a challenging play and snack puzzle made of pinewood, with hollows that you fill with pellets or treats. Your pet has to work out for itself how to get to them.
A puzzle like this helps prevent boredom and keeps the brain and body active. You will see your pet sniffing, pushing and poking until it has found its reward. That is fun to watch, and it is good for your pet too. A bored rodent often starts biting the bars or pacing restlessly. A few minutes of puzzling a day can really make a difference. And because the puzzle is made of wood, it may be gnawed as well.
Start easy. The first time, place the pellets visibly in the hollows so your pet understands what it is about. Then make it harder step by step, for example by scattering a little hay or bedding over the top. Preferably use part of the normal daily food, so your pet does not get too much extra. Rats put on weight quickly, and dwarf hamsters and degus are sensitive to sugar. For them, always choose sugar-free treats. Remove any fresh food leftovers after playtime.
At 12.5 × 12.5 × 2.5 cm, Gus is a compact puzzle. That makes it a good fit in an enclosure for hamsters, mice and gerbils, and it takes up little space. Rats and degus can use it too. They are clever and quick, so for them this puzzle is often solved in no time. For rats and degus, the larger snuffle puzzle Hao is a nice addition that offers more challenge.
For the filling, choose Zooply treats for hamsters. If you keep degus, have a look at Zooply treats for degus and only choose sugar-free options. Change the filling regularly to keep the puzzle exciting.
Almost always, but give it some time. For the first few sessions, place the pellets where they are clearly visible and let your hamster sniff around calmly. Hamsters are crepuscular, so offer the puzzle when it is awake of its own accord. After a few tries it will know exactly what there is to find.
Pellets or treats, as the supplier indicates. The handiest option is part of the daily food, topped up now and then with a small treat. That keeps the diet balanced. For degus and dwarf hamsters, always sugar-free.
Yes, that is fine. The puzzle actually encourages natural gnawing behaviour. It is normal for the edges to show tooth marks over time. Once the puzzle has been chewed down too far, replace it.
Shake out crumbs and dust and wipe the hollows clean with a dry brush or cloth. Do not leave fresh food in the puzzle. Keep the wood dry and it will stay nice for longest.
Rats can play with it just fine, but they are very clever and will figure it out quickly. So alternate with other enrichment, such as hiding food in the bedding. If you want more challenge, choose the larger snuffle puzzle Hao.
At 't Knaagplein in Bodegraven we work with rodents and rabbits every day, in the shop and with our own animals. Enrichment matters just as much as good food. That is why we choose toys we consider a good fit ourselves and that actually get used. Fill this puzzle with Zooply, our own brand, and turn every bite into a little treasure hunt.
