What do rats eat? Measured meals for a greedy eater that gains weight fast

Rats need carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. According to the RSPCA, their staple should be a food made specifically for rats: rabbit, guinea pig or hamster pellets don’t give them what they need. According to the MSD Veterinary Manual, these hard pellets also help wear down their incisors, which grow continuously.

The MSD Manual and the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) advise against mixes of seeds and pellets: the rat picks out the seeds and leaves the rest. To switch from a mix to pellets, make the change gradually over several days: rats are wary of new foods.

Vegetables

A little every day: carrot, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chicory, pepper, cucumber, watercress, courgette, peas, according to the PDSA.

Fruit

In small amounts: apple with the pips removed, pear, peach, melon.

Protein

Now and then: a small piece of lean meat or cooked egg, a few mealworms or some cooked pulses (lentils, chickpeas).

The RSPCA is clear: fruit, vegetables and extras count towards the daily ration rather than being added on top. Rats also eat some of their droppings: this is normal and helps their digestion.

• Onion, citrus fruit, walnuts, rhubarb, grapes and raisins, chocolate: the RSPCA lists them as harmful to rats.
• Lettuce: the PDSA also lists it among foods to avoid.
• Dairy products and fatty or sugary foods: only as a small reward, according to the RSPCA.

According to the veterinary edition of the MSD Manual, obesity is common in pet rats, and limiting calories without unbalancing the diet lengthens their life expectancy. Pellets left out without limit easily make them fat. The MSD Manual for owners adds that a diet too high in calories increases the risk of some tumours, and that older rats gain weight easily.

• Follow the instructions on the pack and weigh out the ration, as the PDSA advises.
• Adjust portions so your rat finishes its bowl, and remove leftovers every day.
• Limit fatty or sugary treats: seeds, nuts, honey sticks.
• Weigh your rat regularly: weight gain or loss shows on the scales before you can see it.

• The RSPCA recommends two meals a day, morning and evening, when rats are most active.
• Scatter some of the pellets or hide them in cardboard tubes: rats love searching for food. These extras count towards the ration too.
• For a group, provide several feeding spots and several water bottles to reduce competition.
• Fresh water at all times, ideally from a bottle; check every day that it isn’t leaking or blocked.

Rats put on weight without you noticing. Log their weigh-ins in MyArk: the weight tracker shows the trend at a glance, and everyone in the household can see whether the ration needs adjusting.

• A weight chart for each rat, over time
• A regular weigh-in reminder, shared with the household
• Treats logged in the shared care log, so nobody doubles up
• Feeding instructions on the pet sitter sheet