Feeding Pet Rats

by Elizabeth Brooks
View Biography

Rats, like humans, are omnivores. They eat vegetables and meats. Their diets should not be high in fat, sugar or sodium. You have many different choices when it comes to feeding your rats. You can feed them a rodent block food, a seed mix, a mix of your own or prepare a diet just for your rats. I use a combination of rodent block, a mix and fresh foods.

You'll want to put the food in a bowl to keep it clean and out of the litter. Some will be eaten, some hidden, but usually some stays in the bowl. Please note that these suggestions are for adult rats that are not breeding. Pregnant or nursing females and growing pups need more than any of these can give alone.

Rodent Blocks

If you choose to feed your rats a commercially prepared block-type food, you can be pretty sure they are getting what they need. They can't pick out their favorite parts so you'll know they are getting all they are supposed to. You should still give them some fresh fruits, vegetables, pasta, etc. occasionally for variety. As for blocks as a staple, I use LabDiet 5001 or Mazuri (both made by Purina), but I plan on trying Harlan Teklad very soon. Some of the other brands contain preservatives I prefer not to give to my rats. Try to give them just what they need each day so they do not become overweight and so that the food doesn't get soggy in the cage.

Some say that their rats won't eat block food, but I don't buy that. Blocks are available to all of my rats and they do eat them along with their other foods. Rats, like humans, would rather eat the really yummy, sweet and fatty foods that are not good for them. If they are only offered blocks and other foods that are good for them, they have to eat them. If I am given a choice of french fries or brussels sprouts, of course, I am going to choose the fries. I will not be healthy on that diet (and will probably get fat), but that's what I'd choose. If I am just given the brussels sprouts, I'll eat them and be much healthier for it. Keep this in mind when you choose what you will feed your rats.

Mixes

There are lots of mixes to choose from for your rats. I do not recommend seed mixes, though, because they tend to be high in fat and the rats pick out what they want and leave the rest. They are, therefore, not getting all of the nutrients they need. I have also found that some of the mixes on the market contain more of those preservatives that our rats shouldn't get in their food. You can put together your own mix for your rats. I use a mix (along with the block food which is about one third of their diet) which was adapted from Marwin's diet. Keep in mind that I mix large quantities at once.

My mix consists of:

(Continued on next page)