Food and Snacks For Rats
There are 2 different options when it comes to their basic everyday diet. The first is Lab Blocks and the second is to make your own mix.
There are quiet a few myths out there about what rats need, can have and can't have to eat. So here are some of the facts:
Rats are able to make all the Vitamin C they need, having said that extra vitamin C in their diet can't hurt them.
Rats are unable to vomite or burp, this is due to a flap that they have in there stomach that covers their esophagus.
Rats grind there teeth together in order to stop them from over growing, having hard things to chew can assist but are not really needed.
Rats are omnivorous meaning like us they eat fruit, veg and meat. (eating meat will NOT make your rat become aggressive at all)
Lab blocks and homemade mixes should only make up around 60- 80% of a rats diet the other 20-40% should be fresh fruit and veg.
Female Rats that arnt desexed should have a higher soy content in their food to help prevent things like mammary tumors.
Rats have a partially predatory nature which is what makes them so smart.
Lab Blocks For Rats
Lab blocks are a nutritious complete diet for rats in a pellet form. Their are quiet a few brands around, depending on where you live might limit what you are able to get though, ask people around your area what lab blocks they know of and their opinion on them so you get a better idea before deciding.
List of some Lab Block Brands:
- Gordon's
- Cummins
- Laucke
- Barastoc
- Vetafarm
Homemade Dry Mix
Ideas on what to put in your homemade nutritious complete diet mix. Don't trust the pre made ones, they tend to be packed full of things that rats wont eat or that aren't good as a staple diet and may cause over weight or mal-nourished rats.
Treats & Snacks for your Fur Babies
As for snacks Rats are pretty much bullet proof when it comes to what they can or cant have....pretty much anything we can eat, they can eat too. And like us some things are better to be given in moderation , if ever. Below is a list of foods you can give as Treats and Snacks, like any treats and snacks they should be given every now and then. These should only make up 20-40% of their diet.
Treats & Snacks to Avoid
There are a few foods to avoid and then there are other foods which aren't completely proven to be bad, they are considered to be just myths and or haven't had enough scientific research done to prove either way. Some people say its not worth the risk but you will find most rat owners consider them to be fine, just in tiny amounts and to introduce it slowly to their diet. It all comes down to personal preference. My fur babies get yoghurt and porridge every now and then and they are fine.
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