Rat Food

     You are what you eat. If you're not careful your rat could turn into a pile of stinky cheese! Choosing the correct food for your pet is crucial for a long and healthy life. A specially formulated diet should make up the majority of your rats meals, but you should also offer a variety of healthy snacks to go alongside. With so many brands of rat food to choose from, selecting the healthiest option can be deceiving. 

Nutrition

Rats are omnivores, meaning they can eat both plants and meat. Because of this, they require a balanced and varied diet. A low carb diet is highly recommended. Recent studies have correlated cancer to high carb diets. 

Store-Bought Food

Cheap foods targeted for general pocket pets will leave your rat nutritionally imbalanced. When shopping for rat food, it is important to select the brand made for “rats”. General rodent foods do not include all the supplements that a rat needs. Plus many tend to carry alfalfa in the ingredients, which is not digestible in rats. A common food many rat owners recommend is Oxbow Rat Essentials. Oxbow is created specifically for your pet rat and includes all of the essential nutrients. The nutrients are all packed into one pellet, which prevents selective eating and will ensure that your rat is on a well and balanced diet. 

The Recommended Brands

Oxbow - https://amzn.to/2MAhUHZ

 Oxbow Garden Select - https://amzn.to/2VEcnnH

Homemade Snacks

Nobody likes to eat the same food everyday. Plus a variety of fruits and veggies can be extremely beneficial for longevity. Keep proportion in mind when treating your rat to a healthy snack. A strawberry for example, is larger than a rats head and if fully eaten could cause stomach cramps and diarrhea. Moderation is key.

Recommended Snacks

Fruit: Apples, grapes, berries, bananas, strawberries, melons, plums, carrots, pears, kiwi, watermelon, nectarines.

Veggies: Peas, kale, broccoli, potatoes, sweet potatoes, celery, cabbage, parsley, corn, cucumber, zucchini, cauliflower.

Rice, beans, whole wheat breads.

Dessert and leftovers - in moderation 

Check out the adjustable rat leash! Great for practicing free roam :) Available on Amazon. Click the picture below!

Check out the previous blog!