Do rats eat dog food, i know mice do, but do rats?? I'm talking about normal pet rats not sewer rats.
2007-11-18 10:55:37 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Rodents
Yes, pet rats love dog food but you must be careful about what brands you choose. Dog food should not be used alone as a staple diet. It is used along with other ingredients if you wish to make your own rat food.
Highly recommended by expert rat keepers is Nutro Lite dry, or Innova Senior dry because they only contain 16% to 18% protein whereas other dog foods are too high in protein which can be hard on an older rat's kidneys.
http://www.nutroproducts.com/ncdry-lite.shtml
http://www.innovapet.com/products/default.asp?id=1409
Nutro Lite or Innova have both been used as a part of the Home-made Suebee Rat Diet.
http://www.ratsrule.com/diet.html
Rats also love cat food, but cat food, wet or dry, is not a good choice of food for rats as it is too high in fat and protein for pet rats. It has been known to cause obesity and kidney disease for them.
Homemade rat food
http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&p=Homemade+rat+food&SpellState=n-2227082133_q-s%2FCM5w1V%2F14enQwH%2FqefPQAAAA%40%40&fr2=sp-top
The commercial seed mixes found at pet stores appear to be formulated for rats but there are ingredients in these mixes that are not right for rats. Dried corn, dried peas, alfalfa pellets, etc., artificial colors/flavors, and the preservatives BHA, BHT, and Ethoxyquin, none of which benefit the health of pet rats.
spazrats
"my life has gone to the Rats"
2007-11-18 11:23:58 · answer #1 · answered by spazrats 6 · 9⤊ 0⤋
Yes, rats will eat dog food but better to give them a rat mix. You can give them the dog food as a treat now and then. You will find your rats willing to eat most things, but it's not always the best for them.
2014-03-13 07:02:56 · answer #2 · answered by emma 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You better go buy some food made for rats, preferably a balanced food block but the normal seed mix is okay too they just might only eat the bits they like and not eat what they need.
2007-11-18 20:46:32 · answer #3 · answered by Miss Maranda Marie 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Yes they can eat dog food just be careful on the brand I give my hairless rats small milk bones theu love it
2013-12-01 00:14:44 · answer #4 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A good, high quality senior dog kibble can be used for rats as a portion of their daily food.
My rats get a mixture of dog food, rat blocks, dried tri-color pasta, oats, grains, cheerios, bird pellets, a small amount of seed, puffed rice, and a few other odds n ends in their bowls every day.
2007-11-18 19:20:33 · answer #5 · answered by Almost Home 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Pet rats will eat dog food. They will eat a lot of things besides that, too.
2007-11-18 19:59:10 · answer #6 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Rodents will eat dog food, but it is not good for them. Dog food contains high levels of phosphorus. It does also have high protein levels. You should look at the ingredient list and see exactly what is in each brand of food. Most contain a lot of junk fillers. The best idea is a homemade healthy food mix. Good Luck!
dave<:3}~...OWNER/ SHAGGYMOUSE YAHOO GROUP
2007-11-18 22:22:48 · answer #7 · answered by dave s 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Will, I feed my rats a mix of sunseed rodent blocks, exclusive dog & cat food, moist & meaty dog food, off brand of cat food, parrot food, parakeet food and veggies. They LOVE it.
2007-11-19 13:32:39 · answer #8 · answered by Home Schooled Rat And Dog Freak 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Rats will eat dog food, yes.
Is it health, NO!
Should you do it. NO
2007-11-18 19:05:37 · answer #9 · answered by Whitney 4 · 4⤊ 3⤋
yes. rats like dog food.
well most of them ive had a couple rats that did and one that didnt. they basically eat anything. rats are scavengers. i love them cus u can share ur breakfast with them, ur dinner, ur lunch, or whatever. haha.
2007-11-18 19:01:11 · answer #10 · answered by amber 1 · 1⤊ 5⤋