What Do Pet Rats Eat

What food do pet rats eat?

Basic Rat feeding guide Rats should be fed a combination of ad lib fresh fruits and vegetables and small amounts of good quality rat pellets or rat cubes (ensure they have a protein content of at least 16% & fat content of 4-5%).

What do you feed a rat daily?

Rats are omnivores, meaning they are healthiest when they eat a combination of fruits, veggies, and meats. So, the best rat diet consists of mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, plus a small portion of rat pellets or rat cube food daily.

What foods can rats not eat?

Unsafe Food for Rats Avocado skin and pit. Chocolate. Citrus fruits (causes kidney damage) Mango (causes kidney damage) Green potato. Fluorinated and/or Chlorinated Water (use only filtered water, never tap water) Green bananas. Uncooked/dried beans (contains toxic hemaglutin).

How often do you feed rats?

Feeding twice daily – morning and evening. Remove uneaten food, change the amount so all is eaten, and they stay a healthy weight. Rats feed mainly at dawn/dusk, and drink mostly during the night. Food in open bowls – allows them to carry food and handle/eat it wherever they want.

Can pet rats eat banana?

While bananas are safe for rats to eat, only feed your rat yellow, ripe bananas. Avoid green and underripe bananas because they can cause digestive discomfort. Bananas can be part of your rat’s diet as a healthy and tasty treat that your rat will love.

Do rats eat lettuce?

Most rats love a variety of vegetables, including broccoli, corn, squash, carrots, greens, asparagus, cauliflower, cucumber, peas and parsnip. Iceberg lettuce, while not out-and-out harmful, is thought to cause loose stools, so many rat owners avoid feeding rats this vegetable or feed it in extreme moderation.

Do rats eat fruit?

Fruit and berries — Out of all the foods rodents consume, their top two loves are generally fruits and berries. In the wild, rats and mice consume these foods at every opportunity. Therefore, raspberry and blackberry bushes — as well as apple and pear trees — can serve as magnets for the animals.

How do you take care of a pet rat?

A water- bottle with a drinking tube that attaches to the cage is the best way to go. Offer small, bite-sized bits of fresh fruits and veggies daily. Rats LOVe people food, and you can give yours the occasional table scrap, such as cooked pasta or a bit of pizza crust. Limit treats or you’ll have a fat rat!.

Do rats need bedding?

Pet rat bedding is important not only for your rat’s comfort, but also for yours. A good bedding will absorb urine well and keep your rat dry and healthy.

Can pet rats eat cheese?

Rats and Cheese Rats will eat just about anything, but rats don’t view cheese as a treat. While it’s perfectly safe for them in small quantities, they view it as just another food source. In any case, cheese is perfectly safe in small amounts, even if we don’t recommend it.

Can rats eat dog food?

Rodents and mice are opportunistic feeders which means they will feed on anything they encounter. Although leftover dry dog food does not sound appetizing to us, it can still contain several nutrients and fats that make it irresistible to rodents.

Can rats eat chicken?

Rats will attack and eat baby chickens, and if desperate enough, they will attack adult chickens. They are more likely to eat chicken feed than to attack adult chickens, as that requires more effort and rats are opportunists. A direct attack on an adult chicken by a rat is rare, but it does happen.

How long do pet rats live?

Rats live an average of two years, whether they are wild or in captivity. Pet rats may live up to 6 or 7 years in extreme cases (more on this below), but given their small size and genetic makeup, most small rodents live two years or less.

What do pet rats like to play with?

Rats enjoy playing in cardboard boxes with holes cut in them, toilet paper tubes stuffed with shredded paper or hay, small pieces of apple branches cut from a pesticide-free tree in the yard, ping-pong balls and paper bags from the grocery store.

What do rats need in their cage?

Rats need: Choice and control over their environment. A suitable home-cage. Suitable shelters/hiding places. Suitable bedding material. Suitable nesting material. Their cage kept away from strong artificial smells (e.g. air fresheners/smoke). Continuity. A clean cage.

Is dried fruit good for rats?

Fruits to Avoid Even though rats can eat banana, make sure the banana you give him is ripe. Green bananas are harsh on his sensitive digestive tract. Avocados can be toxic; dried fruit including apricots, banana chips, raisins and dried apples can be a choking danger; refrain from giving them.

Can pet rats eat strawberries?

You may think of them as pests, but rats actually make lovely pets. All rats are omnivores. This means they eat a varied diet of both plant and animal foods. And if you’re a fan of fruit, the good news is that it’s fine to share your strawberries and most other fresh fruits with your pet rat.

Can pet rats eat raisins?

Rats can most definitely eat raisins but it’s best to offer them sparingly due to the high sugar content in this tasty treat. You need to cut the raisin into very small pieces due to the thick texture. Pet rats rely on their owners to ensure they are fed a high-quality, nutrient-dense diet for the sake of their health.