Keeping and breeding rats is a past time that is catching up rapidly these days. Unlike other pets you won’t have to give a lot of time to upkeep these tiny creatures but still they demand little attention. In order to make them happy and take care of their health there are certain points that should be kept in mind. Providing proper food to rats is somewhat simple task if you see from one angle and difficult from other.
If you really want to see your new friends in good health, here are certain tips regarding food that will make the task of feeding the rats a lot simpler.
1. Feed rats with the diet meant for them only: Don’t look at rats as just rodents thinking anything can be fed to them. It is a misconception; as still a large number of rat keepers miss out on this point. Homemade mix of certain grains can work well in certain cases. But usually it is found that, rats pick out only selective grains and leave out the rest thereby missing on some of the key nutrients. So, best way in selecting a staple diet for these little creatures is adopting lab pellets. But again following the title of this paragraph, make sure that you give only pellets specifically meant for rats and not for any other rodents like hamster, gerbils etc.
2. In what container food should be served? A flat bottom ceramic food bowl, usually of the size meant for feeding rabbits is a good option. While digging in the food stored in it rats aren’t able to spill the food. Alternatively, a metal bowl attached to the cage can also work well, but there are more chances of it being tipped by these cheeky creatures. But make certain that these bowls are always within the reach of rats and full of stuff all the time.
3. Feed only fresh food: Feeding with supplements like fruits and vegetables adds to the health of rats. By instinct, rats have a habit of storing foods and eat them later on. As fruits and vegetables get spoilt early, so fruits and vegetables stored by the rats can be harmful for their health. Don’t feed the rats with too much of vegetables as excess of them especially the green one can cause diarrhea in rats. Apart from vegetables and fruits as supplement you can also give pieces of peanuts, dry fruits etc.
4. Foods that should not be given: Don’t think you can give anything to eat to these fluffy creatures as certain food items can also hurt them. Diet rich in fat and sugar is also harmful for rats. Chocolates, caffeinated drinks, raw beans, green potatoes and carbonated drinks are harmful for the health of rats. It is better to consult a vet to know about the list of food items that can be harmful for the rats.
Follow the above tips to keep your pet rats in good health, with time the above mentioned will come in daily routine and rather feeding the rats will become fun.
