Fruits, Veggies, Meats & Other Foods for Rats
A Look at Rat Diet, Nutrition & What Foods are Safe for a Pet Rat
Sep 22, 2008
In nature, rats are omnivorous scavengers, meaning a wild rat's diet includes a vast array of foods – meats, vegetables, fruits, grains, and dairy – that are collected and scavenged.
Pet rats have the same basic nutritional needs as a wild rat, and providing the best possible rat diet is a pet owner’s best defense against rat illness and early death.
A good rat diet will include many components: a high-quality rat block or rat kibble, combined with fresh foods like vegetables, fruits, meats, seeds, nuts, cheese and yogurt.
Introducing New Foods to Rats
Introducing a new food to a pet rat should be a gradual process. Over many generations, rats have become wise to humans’ tendency to leave out rat poisons. Rats subsequently adapted and now, a rat's instincts tell him to be cautious when trying new foods.
When introducing a new food into a rat's diet, only offer a small amount at first and be patient. Some rats will not try a new food for several days. Other rats will take only a small bite and then wait to see if they feel ill. Notably, rats cannot vomit and rats also have no gag reflex, so once they’ve eaten a food, they’re committed to it; a rat cannot vomit up a toxic or irritating substance, as occurs naturally in many other animals.
Introducing a new food to a pet rat's diet is a gradual process that typically takes a couple of weeks, so if a food is not consumed on the first or second day, continue to offer the food for a period of two weeks and then re-assess. Like humans, some rats simply don’t like certain foods.
What Foods Can I Feed My Rat?
There are many foods that rats enjoy and tolerate well. Each meal should be balanced – it should include fruits, vegetables, grains, meats and dairy.
The following foods are among a rat’s favorite:
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Ham
- Beef
- Yogurt
- Cottage Cheese
- Cheddar Cheese
- American Cheese
- Carrots
- Cucumber
- Broccoli
- Apples
- Berries
- Avocado
- Banana
- Pear
- Honeydew Melon
- Cantaloupe
- Watermelon
- Yogurt-Covered Pretzels
- Cashews
- Sunflower Seeds
- Rice
- Potatoes
- Meat Baby Food
- Fruit Baby Food
- Vegetable Baby Food
- Blueberry Buckle Baby Food
- Vanilla Custard Baby Food
- Applesauce
- Oatmeal
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Pasta
- Bread
- Oatmeal Cookies
- Whole Grain Crackers
- Cream Cheese on Crackers
- Cold Cuts
- Dry Cereal
Dangerous and Toxic Foods for Rats
There are a number of foods that can be toxic or even deadly to a pet rat. The most common dangerous foods for rats include:
- Chocolate
- Orange Juice
- Raw Beans
- Raw Brussels Sprouts
- Raw Red Cabbage
- Raw Onions
- Raw Artichokes
- Peanuts
- Sweet Potato
- Green Bananas
- Green Potato Skin and Potato Eyes
- Rhubarb
- Blue Cheese
- Licorice
- Dried Corn
- Avocado Skin, Pit, Rind, Leaves and Fruit Adjacent to the Pit (the fruit portion is safe, but high in fat)
Rat owners should also remember that rats cannot burp. This means that carbonated drinks cannot be given to rats.
Peanut butter and other sticky, thick foods should be given with caution and in small amounts. The sticky peanut butter can cause choking, so it should always be offered thinly spread over a cracker or mixed with jelly or liquid to make it easier to eat.
When serving fresh produce, always wash the foods thoroughly to remove pesticides.
In addition, all foods should be fresh and unspoiled. Mold and bacteria that develops on spoiled food can be toxic to rats.
Related Reading
Rat owners who are looking for information on their pet rat's diet may also enjoy Rat Kibble vs. Lab Blocks and Hand Feeding a Sick Rat.
Also check out the Pet Rat Resource Page for information on rat care, rat supplies and more.
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