Diet
This is one of the most important things to choose when owning rats. So picking the proper diet is a must. Rats are opportunistic omnivores. Meaning they will eat just about any food item they can find. But that doesn't mean they should. To keep your rats healthy feed them a balanced diet.
Commercially Available Foods:
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Dog Foods:
There are many brands out there that are great for rats. All you have to do is make sure they have the following:
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Mixes:
Any food mix that is store bought should NOT be the only food given. They are not a balanced diet. However you can feed it as a treat. Just avoid the dried corn as that contains mold spores and can cause your rats to become sick. |
Treats
While rats can eat just about everything you can eat, that doesn't mean they should. There are some foods that they shouldn't eat and others that should be given in moderation. Remember all extra foods that you feed should only take up 20% of their diet. Only give to them 2-3 times a week in small amounts.
Some foods they can have:
Some foods they shouldn't have:
There are a lot more foods on the do and do not eat list. If you wish to know more of them please message the rattery Facebook page and I will send you the list.
Here is a mix a friend of another rattery makes and said I can post on here. All credit goes to Megan at Kinni Brook Rattery.
Crunchies *Once Daily, 1TBSP per Rat
-2 cups Total Cereal
-2 cups Multi-Grain Cheerios Cereal
-2 cups Rice Puff Cereal (In the natural section for less sugar & salt)
-2 cups Veggie Pasta (be sure it’s actual Veggie pasta)
-1 cup Pumpkin Seeds (Roasted & Unsalted)
-1 cup Old Fashion Oatmeal
-1/2 cup pearled Barley
-1/4 cup Coconut Flakes
Not a complete diet...please make sure ratties have access to a good rat lab block at all times. This is a supplement.
Some foods they can have:
- Pasta (cooked or raw)
- Fruits (limit them due to the high natural sugars)
- Veggies (raw potatoes and gas inducing veggies are a no no)
- Crackers
- Dog treats/Bones
- Cereals with no sugars
Some foods they shouldn't have:
- Caffeinated drinks
- Alcohol
- Blue Cheese
- Raw Potatoes
- Raw Beans
- Raw Nuts
There are a lot more foods on the do and do not eat list. If you wish to know more of them please message the rattery Facebook page and I will send you the list.
Here is a mix a friend of another rattery makes and said I can post on here. All credit goes to Megan at Kinni Brook Rattery.
Crunchies *Once Daily, 1TBSP per Rat
-2 cups Total Cereal
-2 cups Multi-Grain Cheerios Cereal
-2 cups Rice Puff Cereal (In the natural section for less sugar & salt)
-2 cups Veggie Pasta (be sure it’s actual Veggie pasta)
-1 cup Pumpkin Seeds (Roasted & Unsalted)
-1 cup Old Fashion Oatmeal
-1/2 cup pearled Barley
-1/4 cup Coconut Flakes
Not a complete diet...please make sure ratties have access to a good rat lab block at all times. This is a supplement.