What can and cannot be given to rats

Is it possible to give banana to rats?

For good growth and development of the body of rodents, they should be given a variety of fruits and vegetables, which contain many useful vitamins.

Bananas are allowed for decorative rats!

The main thing is to follow the dose and not over-feed the animal, as the fruit causes obesity in rats, which can ultimately shorten life expectancy.

Bananas should be given to your pet ripe or dried.

Criterias of choice

If you still want to treat your little rodent with a treat, you need to understand the right choice of fruit.

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The banana should not contain any green coloring, otherwise you will feed your pet solid starch. There should be small black spots on it, which means the fruit is ripe. You can also determine ripeness by smell. A yellow banana will have no odor, but the aroma of the spotted yellowish fruit will not let you pass by.

Remember, the main diet of rats: cereals, grains, dairy products and lean meat. Banana is a fruit that provides vitamins to animals. Protein is necessary for full functioning and health. It supports immunity and develops bones and muscle tissue.

What can you feed decorative rats?

Buckwheat. This low-calorie product is suitable even for decorative rats suffering from diabetes.
Millet (millet) is an excellent component of feeding decorative rats.
Barley (pearl barley).
Rye.
Rice.
Basil.
Zucchini (in any form).
Cilantro.
Carrots (in any form). However, keep in mind that in large quantities this product can cause digestive upset in a decorative rat.
Cucumbers.
Parsley leaves.
Salad: field lettuce (corn), iceberg, arugula, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, spinach.
Celery is also beneficial for pet rats.
Pumpkin (any form).
Dill is another product that can be fed to your kitten rat.
Zucchini (any form).
Watermelon (however, keep in mind that early watermelon may contain nitrates). You can also feed your kitty rat seeds.
Avocado.
Apricots.
A pineapple.
Hawthorn (but it reduces blood pressure).
Cherry.
Grape.
Melons (however, early melons can be “rich” in nitrates).
Strawberry wild-strawberry.
Cranberry.
Mango.
Raspberries.
Peaches.
Rowan (red).
Currant.
Persimmon (but only sweet and ripe).
Blueberry.
Rosehip (dried).
Apples (including seeds).
Varenets.
Yogurt (preferably natural, without dyes, sugar and other additives).
Kefir.
Ryazhenka.
Cottage cheese.
Gamarus.
Zofobas.
Bones (boiled).
Seafood (boiled).
Meat, including poultry (boiled). You cannot feed a decorative rat pork!
Meat by-products (boiled).
Fish (boiled).
Dry food, dog and cat (but only very good quality!)
Eggs (quail or chicken, boiled). The yolk is soaked, otherwise the rat may choke.

Tomatoes

Can rats eat tomatoes? The answer to this question is also positive. But these vegetables should only be given when ripe and in small quantities, since they contain acids. Unripe fruits contain solanine, just like leaves and tops, so they should not be fed. Pickled and canned tomatoes are also contraindicated for pets. If you do not grow your own vegetables, then tomatoes can only be given to rats during the season.

Pepper

Bell pepper contains many vitamins. Therefore, rats can have pepper, but only once a day, if your pet is not prone to increased gas production.

Eggplant

Inexperienced breeders are often interested in whether rats can eat eggplants. Before feeding this vegetable to your pet, it is necessary to wash it well, peel it and heat it. Leaves and tops should not be fed to a rodent because of the solanine they contain.

Cabbage

But can rats eat cabbage? Red, white, and Brussels sprouts should not be given to pets, since this vegetable increases gas formation in rats. Broccoli and cauliflower can be eaten in small quantities and only for individuals who are not prone to increased gas formation.

Carrot

Rats can eat carrots raw. Just do not overfeed your pet with this vegetable to prevent intestinal upset. Also, overeating carrots can cause allergies and hypervitaminosis, which in turn leads to eye problems.

Zucchini

Can rats eat zucchini? Zucchini and zucchini can be given raw, boiled or steamed.

Potato

Can rats have potatoes and in what form can they be given to them? Raw potatoes should not be fed to your pet due to their high starch content. Offer your rodent a small piece of boiled potato, but no more than a couple of times a week. It is also prohibited to feed potato tops, sprouts and green tubers to rats, as they contain poisonous solanine. Do not give your pet chips, even as a treat.

Corn

Corn can be offered to rats raw or cooked, only in small quantities as a treat. Canned corn should not be fed to pets. You can also offer your pet popcorn as a treat, only if you made it yourself, without salt, sugar or spices.

Beet

Can a rat eat beets? It is possible, but not often and in small quantities, since this vegetable has a laxative effect. You can give beets raw or boiled.

Radish

Can rats have radishes? Radishes and turnips increase gas production, so they should not be fed to rats. Although there are messages on forums about feeding pets with these products. But we do not recommend doing this. Do not give your pet foods that may cause him discomfort.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a very healthy vegetable because it contains fiber, proteins, vitamins and other beneficial substances. Therefore, to the question: can rats eat pumpkin, there is one answer - yes, they can. Pumpkin is fed to rodents raw and boiled. You can also offer your pet pumpkin seeds, they are healthier than sunflower seeds. In addition, they are an excellent prophylaxis against helminths. But you also shouldn’t overdo it with them, since they are fatty. A rat can be given no more than 10 pieces. in Week.

Onion and garlic

Onions and garlic are very spicy for rats and your pet may refuse to eat them, but a rodent may like young green onions. Onions and garlic are most often offered as an antibiotic and antiviral agent for diseases, only in small quantities.

Peas

Peas increase gas formation, so it is not advisable to feed them to rats. You should also not feed your pets canned green peas. But you can occasionally offer your pet some fresh green peas, either from the pod or boiled.

Beans

Rats should not eat raw beans and other legumes, as they increase gas formation. But there is an opinion that sometimes legumes can be offered to rodents only after heat treatment.

Rats can diversify their diet with various vegetables, both raw, boiled and steamed. Boiled ones, in turn, can be offered to your pet in the form of small pieces or puree. But most importantly, try not to give vegetables that could harm your pet or cause discomfort. These vegetables can be very healthy with a huge amount of vitamins. But if they can make a rat feel bad, then why experiment on the animal and try to feed it with foods that are not recommended to be fed to these rodents.

Love your pets, follow the rules of care and feed them correctly. Now you know what vegetables a rat can eat, and which ones your pet should refrain from eating.

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How to feed vegetables

All foods that are intended to be fed to a rat must be fresh, clean and at room temperature. Therefore, if you store vegetables in the refrigerator, then first remove them from there, wait until they warm up, rinse well, cut, and only then offer them to your pet. It is best to feed rodents vegetables grown in your own garden. If you buy products at the market, you should choose very carefully, buying only in season.

Vegetables and root crops must be prepared for feeding. They are sorted through, throwing out the rotten, flabby, and discolored ones. In addition, you need to remove debris and dirt, cut off the affected areas, wash the vegetables and cut them into pieces. The pieces should be of such a size that the pet can hold it in its paws.

It is not allowed to feed spoiled and rotten vegetables or other foods to domestic rats!

Vegetables should be offered to your pet daily or every other day. The approximate average portion of vegetables and fruits per individual should be 10-15 grams.

New foods are introduced into the rat’s diet gradually in small portions once or twice a week. It is necessary to constantly monitor the pet; if there are no signs of diarrhea, then you can increase the amount of this product. If you notice signs of diarrhea, then remove this product from the rodent’s diet and feed it the same food.

Grain and cereals

Grains are the main product in the diet of rats, but they are not equally important. Wheat is a rich, high-calorie product; it can be given to rats, but it must be taken into account that it must be supplemented with other components. The mixture may include oats, buckwheat, corn, rye, barley or pearl barley, rice, millet or millet. These grains are not equal. Buckwheat is a dietary low-calorie product, and corn, on the contrary. Oats should be added in small quantities; excess may cause fermentation. Refined rice is low in nutrition, so it's worth finding a wild rice blend or an unrefined version of the grain.

Semolina does not contain anything useful, so this product should be excluded from the diet. Barley or wheat cereals are suitable for porridges. Porridge is useful only for weakened, emaciated animals or young animals. Adult rats should only give them as a treat.

Fruits

All citrus fruits should be immediately excluded from the diet of rats due to acidity.

. Occasionally you can give a piece of sweet tangerine. Forest and garden berries must be sorted according to their acid level. Thus, cranberries, which are useful in many respects, should be given with caution because of their taste.

Sweet cherries are more suitable than sour cherries. Never give animals seeds from fruit trees or citrus fruits.

They can be poisonous to rodents. You should pay attention to the special properties of fruits. Chokeberry and bird cherry strengthen, and plum weakens. This must be taken into account when choosing food. Pear can cause fermentation in some individuals. Watermelons and melons can be given in small quantities and only in season, as they accumulate nitrates.

Dried fruits are too sweet and may cause fermentation. They should be given carefully, as a treat.

Feeding rats video

Green food

A caring owner needs to monitor the consumption of greens by a pet rat. List of prohibited green food:

bugs and horseradish contain substances harmful to animals - essential mustard oils;
sorrel spinach are a source of oxalic acid, which is dangerous for the pet’s body;
You can’t feed rhubarb to animals, because it causes disruption of the gastrointestinal tract;
seaweed has a high iodine content.

Quality grapes - what are they?

Many owners are very mistaken in believing that a decorative rat should and can eat absolutely everything. Including products that are far from fresh. When choosing grapes, you need to focus on fresh bunches. Rotten berries will bring neither benefit nor pleasure to a rodent. When choosing grapes, pay attention to their appearance.

The best solution is to provide grapes grown in environmentally friendly conditions and without chemical treatment. Such berries can be collected at your summer cottage or bought from a small farmer at the market.

If wasps are constantly flying around a stand with grapes, this is an indication that it has not been treated with harmful chemicals. You can safely buy such berries. If you purchased them in a store, then before giving them to your pet, pour boiling water over them several times.

What should pet rats not eat?

When feeding rodents at home, it is very important to know and select healthy foods.

Domestic rodents living in a cage are strictly prohibited from giving fried, baked, pickled, spicy, sweet and salty foods. You should not give hard and moldy cheeses, sausages of all types, homemade lard, raw beans, white cabbage and potatoes. Some pets also like to eat plants. Many housewives in their apartments have plants such as begonia, kalanchoe, geranium, cyclamen; they are poisonous and can cause irreparable harm to the body, so it is better to get rid of these species or move them to a secluded place.

What kind of insulation do rats and mice not eat?

The necessary material in a private home is insulation. Modern materials that retain thermal conductivity and reduce energy consumption become objects of eating by rodents. Let's look at examples of insulation materials that are not “appetizing” for these rodents.

Usually they choose foam plastic or mineral wool to furnish their warm nests. Other insulation materials, such as foam glass, expanded clay and liquid wall insulation, do not at all attract them as a culinary value. Foam glass consists of a dense structure made by foaming glass raw materials with a carbon mixture, resulting in the formation of glass cells. Expanded clay has a similar structure, this is enough to prevent rats and mice from getting interested in the delicacy of the insulation.

Source

What do rodents like?

Biologists and professional deratizers (pest extermination specialists) agree that mice are more often “led” to delicacies of plant origin, while rats love animal products. But when a rodent has been hungry for a long time, it will eat whatever it finds. That is why at first it is difficult to determine who is in the house. In view of what has been described, employees of non-food industry enterprises resort to a trick - they use poisoned grain to destroy parasites. It’s cheap and works 100%, because pests have no other food.

Mice

Based on the above, the best mouse baits are:

fresh baked goods - a fragrant wheat bun, muffin, gingerbread or a piece of soft white bread will attract the pest almost instantly;
seeds - in the wild, mice eat grains and willingly feast on them in our homes;
nut – as appetizing as grains;
a slice of apple, pear, plum or peach - familiar fruits with a bright smell often become food for mice in the wild;
peanut butter - nut paste has a pronounced aroma and smells fragrant for many meters.

Rats

Rats are practically omnivorous. They can be caught using any delicacy, but we recommend:

lard is a product with a bright, spicy aroma that attracts rodents like a magnet;
sausage - only high-quality sausage products will do; rats often refuse cheap ones, stuffed with chemicals;
fresh meat - the specific smell that various parts of a chicken or pig carcass emit attracts pests;
minced meat is an almost ideal bait for rats, better with the addition of onions;
smoked fish is a very flavorful option that can catch the maximum number of rodents;
vegetable oil – “fragrant” unrefined sunflower oil can be used in combination with a piece of bread.

Wrong mixtures

Some people give their rats hamster food, but this is not the best option. The fact is that it contains too many sunflower seeds and peanuts, which cause health problems.

There are many alternative foods, particularly hazelnuts. This is a good source of protein and a great way for your rat to exercise his jaws.

The rat is entirely dependent on you for food. By providing her with proper nutrition, you will get a healthy pet.

Special food for rats will give your pet all the substances it needs.

However, he won’t refuse a small treat either.

Meat

Meat and fish are recognized as the main sources of protein. It is also very important to introduce hearts, kidneys, liver and tubular bones of birds into the diet of a domestic rat. Feed your pet only meat and fish that are not too fatty. The best feeding option is pre-boiled meat, cut into small pieces. Never give your animal high-temperature food; wait until the meat cools down. It is worth noting that frozen meat is not suitable for feeding rats. An excellent addition to a healthy rat diet would be low-fat broth without various spices and additives.

The most effective traps

Several of the most effective methods are used to control pests. These are poisonous baits, ultrasonic repellers, mousetraps that kill or catch animals alive, and sticky traps.

Each method has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. To choose the appropriate option, you should consider them in more detail.

Poison traps

Placed in places closest to nests or movement routes of animals. Often made from seeds or grains. Rodenticides can be purchased at pharmacies.

The drugs are made on the basis of substances that block blood clotting. As a result, rodents die from internal bleeding. Such baits should not be used in areas where pets live.

Ultrasonic repellers

This method is considered the most humane and safe for both animals and humans. Such devices produce sounds at a certain frequency.

For humans they are imperceptible, but for rats they are simply unbearable . Some models, in addition to ultrasound, are capable of emitting special sound signals and scaring away beepers using light flashes.

The combination of several effects completely kills the desire of pests to be near such powerful stimuli. In the first few days of using repellers, an increase in the number of rats may be observed, but do not be alarmed, this is a normal reaction.

Ultrasound causes real panic in pasyuki, forcing them to be active during the daytime and chaotic movements around the house. In a couple of weeks the room will be completely cleared of parasites.

Another safe and humane way to control rodents is with essential oils. Animals simply cannot stand the smell of mint and try to stay away from it.

Rat traps

If there are a lot of pests, you can try to catch them with a rat trap. To do this, you need to use the best baits that were listed above.

When setting traps, it is important to ensure that there are no small children or pets nearby.

Compared to poisons, mousetraps have undeniable advantages . A poisoned rat can die anywhere in the house. The corpse under the floor will poison the air with an unpleasant odor for a long time.

Traps with bait for rats are located along the walls, in areas where rodents or traces of their presence have been noticed. Typically traps are placed perpendicular to the wall.

In addition to devices that kill animals, there are also so-called “live traps”. They confine the animal without injuring it. This allows you to release the rat into the wild, the main thing is to do it away from your home.

Sticky traps

Usually used for catching mice, since their weight is much less than that of a rat. The animal, running along its usual routes, ends up on a sticky surface from which it cannot get out.

If such a trap is glued to the body of a person or pet, it can be removed using vegetable oil.

The installed traps are checked every day. All manipulations must be carried out with rubber gloves.

Foods that should not be given to rats

If your pet's health is important to you, do not feed it from the table. It seems that there is nothing wrong with giving a rodent a piece of apple, chicken or cracker, but this is not so. The rat may refuse its food and instead receive a high proportion of fat and carbohydrates. It will be difficult to wean an animal accustomed to a common table, which means the end of a balanced diet.

It is strictly forbidden to give your rodent alcohol, fried, smoked, salted, pickled, fatty foods, carbonated drinks and sweets.

Supplements

Let special mineral stones for rodents be in the cage. If the animal needs them, he will use them. Here you can also remember about onions and garlic.

The normal feeding frequency is twice a day - for adults, three to four times for children and adolescents.

Photo on Foter.com

You cannot overfeed a rat.

If an animal does not want to eat any product, do not force it! Offer a replacement.

Introduce new foods for the animal into the diet a little at a time, watch the animal’s reaction, changes in its condition and behavior.

Each animal has its own individual characteristics.

Milk products

When adding dairy products to a rat's diet, it is necessary to take into account a possible allergic reaction to lactose. It is not recommended to give milk in its pure form. New dairy products should be introduced gradually, and the pet's reaction should be monitored. Cheese, sour cream and cream are undesirable for animals to eat due to their high fat content. Fermented milk products with a fat content of more than 4% are prohibited. Rats cannot have condensed milk, because... it contains a large amount of sugar. It is not recommended to give dairy products with a long shelf life.