FEEDING YOUR RATS!

There are multiple ways to feed your rats at home! This page will cover a few of them, with more in-depth choices on the Food and Treats page. Links are to some of the most commonly used pet store shopping options, but please use whoever you’re most comfortable shopping at.

  • Rat nutrition is a complex equation of macro and micro nutrients to insure your babies are getting the most balanced meals possible.
  • A rat needs 5-8 grams of food per 100 grams of body weight, per day. I offer 5g for older and more sedentary rats, as well as dwarfs, and give more for growing, pregnant, nursing, and active rats. If you think about those amounts, it is not a lot of food in the grand scheme of things, but their stomachs aren’t that large either
  • I prefer to use a lab tested and formulated rat block every day, with a supplemental or fresh mix that makes up 10-15% of their overall diet, thus ensuring their base nutritional needs are fully met!

COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE OPTIONS

LAB BLOCKS – these are scientifically formulated and balanced to provide all of the essential nutrients a rat needs throughout its life.

Some links provided are affiliate links and may generate a small amount of revenue for me when used. This does not discount the researched suggestion, but helps compensate my time and energy.

  • Oxbow Essentials Adult Rat Food– Not Young Rat and Mouse or the Garden Select as they’re not as nutritionally correct for rats. Also available at Petco, Amazon, Chewy, PetSmart
  • Kalmbach Rodent Diet 18% or 23% (What I personally have used for years) – Available in 10lbs at Amazon, Chewy, Family Farm and Home
  • Science Selective Rat and Mouse – Available at Petco , Amazon, Chewy, PetSmart
  • Mazuri Rat and Mouse or 6f– Available at Petco, Amazon, Chewy, PetSmart
  • Kaytee Field and Forest Rat Food – not Kaytee Fiesta or FortiDiet – Available at Petco, Amazon, Chewy
  • Kruse’s Rat and Mouse Block – Available at Chewy, PetSmart

MIXES – the commercial mixes currently on the market are unbalanced as a main diet. However some are great options as supplemental additions/treats if given a few times a week. These are the ones I’m comfortable recommending based on ingredients/makeup:

*Some links provided are affiliate links and may generate a small amount of revenue for me when used. This does not discount the researched suggestion, but helps compensate my time and energy.*

THINGS TO AVOID

  • Fake dyes, especially Red – veggie based dyes are great!
  • Primarily hay/alfalfa based foods and treats – small amounts are fine and not harmful.
  • Raw/dry beans (lentils are safe)
  • Raw potato and sweet potato
  • Soft/sticky foods like clumpy oatmeal, soft bread, or undiluted nut butter
  • Excess sugar
  • Fake sugars like xylitol, aspartame, etc
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Bleu Cheese
  • Raw Nuts
  • Wild caught insects