how much fresh fruit and veg should you give them a day?I dont want to upset their stomachs.
2007-01-11 13:48:21 · 9 answers · asked by emnie 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
thanks robin il try that,normally they just live off normal dry rat food so il try and give them more of a mix of food. :D
2007-01-11 13:59:49 · update #1
I have had my rats live 6-8 years (their life expectancies are about 18 months), I've always feed them people food as a base and a very little bit of prepared food. OK to offer them a bit of fruit and or veggies each day (slice of apple, section or orange, a baby carrot), keep the bulk of their diet high fiber, like cereals, unsalted nuts, a little cooked rice or noodles (your leftovers). I never fed them meat, though I don't think a bit now and then would hurt them.
Your rat will definitely show food preferences very quickly. I had several that loved cantaloupe and one that wouldn't eat it for anything!
2007-01-11 13:55:23 · answer #1 · answered by Robin B 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Watch the fresh fruit. Some is ok but too much, just like cereals containing sugar will cause them to go into a diabetic coma and die. Rats only get upset stomaches with poison. Veggies are fine, even all day. However remember it is best to keep a rounded diet. Anything from popcorn, rice, noodles, meats, cheeses veggies and rat block. Rats will eat just about anything. Just too much of anyone thing is not good.
www.nfrs.org/stud.htm this is for the National Fancy Rat Association
2007-01-12 10:08:10 · answer #2 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I give mine a base mix of rat food, dog kibble, dry pasta and cereals. Its similar to the Suebee diet in the US and Shaunamite in the UK. Since changing to it my rats have been a lot healthier and live about twice as long as they used to(3 years instead of 18 months). I also give them a bowl of fresh organic(I worry about pesticides with rats) veg most days. I never give citric fruit to my boys as it causes kidney problems. I bought a really good book about rat nutrition so that I could give them the best treats. Its called The Scuttling Gourmet by Alison Campbell. If you can get it, its worth it. Once a week I give my 11 rats an economy tuna pasta bake between them. If I'm having a healthy meal then they'll usually get some. I stopped giving them chocolate drops and other small animal treats as its healthier to give them a piece of dried banana or a hard boiled egg in the shell. You shouldnt give rats hamster food or too many nuts as they dont need that much protein and it can cause serious medical problems.
2007-01-12 09:48:01 · answer #3 · answered by kiffie 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I have kept rats for nearly 10 years and have kept up to 12 in one go. I ahve always fed them on dried reggie rat, if I'm flush, but they all prefer Tesco Value hamster food which is really cheap. I give them plenty of treats as they have always been spoilt and will eat mostly anything, my rule of thumb is feed only one new thing at a time and give their little tummies time to show you if they are ok. I've never had a case of the runs and all my rats lived to ripe old ages unless they got lumps which is a rat thing to do.
Hope this helps, relax and enjoy your rat(s)
P.S They do get chocolate as they love it but I do have to be carefull with that as I have had a couple who grew to cricket ball size and one lived until she was 3 years old.
2007-01-12 03:57:52 · answer #4 · answered by isleofskye 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
moderation that's the key remember rats can not be sick, so try a bit then again following day if they grab it they like it,
mine sits with hands on bars watching me cook meals waiting for some she is a real character
to the arshole who gave athumbs down get a life
i have had rats for for 20 years there is no need to blind people with science keep it simple let them enjoy the pet. dont make it a chore its fun, now bugger of let them learn
2007-01-12 06:19:56 · answer #5 · answered by quasar 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
hi i have a pet rat she is almost 6 yrs old i feed her
scrammbled egg once a week,a grape or piece of orange a day aswell as rat food containg fruit and nuts all week it really works!!
2007-01-13 08:33:52 · answer #6 · answered by rbrtdhrty 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They'll eat just about anything, but as Robin has said, they do let you know pretty quick what they do and don't like.
My boys love dry oatmeal, spaghetti noodles, rice and their veggies. One loves his green beans more than peas, one corn and another will only eat the carrots.
I also give them dog cookies for their teeth, you can give them chicken or beef bones just be sure it's all well cooked.
2007-01-11 14:42:38 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They should have a prepared rat diet as well as fresh veggies.
2007-01-12 02:41:12 · answer #8 · answered by KathyS 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
not much but make shure they can last though the day
2007-01-11 13:52:08 · answer #9 · answered by sc8ter g 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋