Unfortunately, rats are not animals of great interest because they are associated with the transmission of various diseases. However, well cared for they can be excellent companions. So, if you've just adopted a rat as a pet and you want to know all about feeding rats, you've come to the right place!
On the other hand, if you are a lover of these small animals, in this article on our site we explain what rats eat, both the wild ones as well as the domestic ones, so you can expand your knowledge about it.
Types of rats
Before I tell you what rats eat, you need to know some of the types that exist. rats belong to the genus Rattus, a division of the family Muridae, which also includes mice. It is believed that their origins go back to the Asian continent, although today they are distributed in almost the entire planet, except for the polar areas.
In its origins, the rat was a wild animal, part of the abundant fauna of the fields and spaces with vegetation. However, the growth of the human population and the extraordinary adaptability of these rodents have made them a regular companion in cities.
In total, there are more than 20 different species of rats, however, the most common types are as follows:
Brown rat
Rattus norvegicus is known as the Norwegian, Chinese or brown sewer rat. It is the most abundant species in urban environments and has brown or chestnut fur, a short tail and small ears.
This species is known to be more aggressive than other types of rats, especially it can attack larger animals in times of famine. In a wild environment, it prefers to live near the slopes and rivers, as it is an excellent swimmer.
Black Rat
The Rattus rattus, also called the country or black rat, is very similar to mice but larger. It has black fur and a distinctive long tail. This species prefers to live in elevated areas, in the cities it makes niches in the roofs and attics.
Both types of rats are also adopted as pets, so they are part of the list of domestic rat species. Now, what do these rats eat? We'll tell you then.
What do rats eat?
City or wild, rats have an omnivorous diet, which means they consume both plant and animal foods. In a rural setting, they eat fruits, leaves, plant stems, fungi, insects, grains, cereals, small mammals, fish, molluscs, eggs, snails, and much more. Do rats eat seeds? Yes, these are also among their varied diet!
Now, even in the wild, rats do not reject carrion and may even resort to cannibalism. This ability to adapt their eating habits has been decisive in their survival in different environments, which is why they are able to live in cities. Now, what do city rats eat? What does a sewer rat eat? They can eat all kinds of waste without problem, which is why they feed on human garbage and the waste they find in the drains.
Similarly, water intake is extremely important for these rodents, they try to locate their nests near some source of this liquid. For this reason, they even drink water that is spoiled or contaminated by human standards.
What do house rats eat?
Rats have become a pet. Their small size and simple diet make them good companions, but they should be given a rat-safe food to provide the necessary nutrients.
In this sense, a homemade food for rats must be varied and offered daily. Includes animal protein, such as:
- Chicken
- Liver
- Egg
- Insects
- Worms
In addition, the rats' diet should also include plant-based foods, such as:
- Spinach
- Carrots
- Ripe bananas
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Oranges
- Apples
- Pears
- Piedless cherries
- Cooked potatoes
- Green peas
- Seeds
grains such as rice and corn are recommended only sporadically. Similarly, water must be available at all times. Remember to change it daily to preserve its freshness.
Forbidden food for rats
In general, avoid cheese, alcoholic beverages, excess citrus, radishes, potato leaves, beans, cabbage, raw legumes, sweets and milk A common question about feeding rats is: "do rats eat parsley?". It can be offered occasionally, but its frequent consumption is not recommended.
It is important to note that rats do not have the ability to expel food in case of poisoning, so it is essential to be very careful when feeding them homemade food, as they could suffer an obstruction or die from poisoning. Likewise, they do not expel gas either, which is why it is not recommended to give foods that promote it.
With these tips on what domestic rats eat, your pet will be he althy and eat a balanced diet.
How to feed a rat?
Now that you know what rats eat, if you live with one and wonder how you should offer them the above foods, you should take into account the following guidelines:
- Meats are best served lightly cooked to avoid the presence of bacteria. If the meat is previously frozen, it is possible to give it to the rat without cooking.
- Fruits must be peeled, without seeds or pits and chopped so that the rat can eat them without difficulty. In those cases in which you want to give an extra supply of fiber, it is possible to leave pieces of fruit with skin, but always very well washed.
- Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, can be offered washed and raw. Carrots should be peeled and chopped. The peas must also be peeled and, above all, completely thawed if they are frozen.
- Corn can be given raw but rice must be cooked.
Regarding the proportions of each food, the rat's diet should be based, for the most part, on seeds, fruits and vegetables. In the market we can get rat food preparations with mixtures of various seeds, so we only have to add a few pieces of fruit and vegetables. Animal protein, on the other hand, should be reserved to offer it one or two days a week.
Because rats eat several times a day, it is convenient to leave the seed preparation in its tale and offer it at different times fresh food. If we leave fruits or vegetables exposed for many hours, they will spoil and will not be suitable for consumption.
On the other hand, water intake should not be neglected, so it is necessary that the drinking fountain has at all times freshwater.
What do baby rats eat?
As mammals, rats feed on mother's milk from when they are newborn to around 21 days, at which point they start eating solid food. If you have found an orphaned baby rat and are wondering what these rats eat, it is best to visit a veterinarian who specializes in exotic animals so that they can provide you with a special milk formula for these animals. You should never offer a baby rat cow's milk because it will not tolerate it properly and will die.
Differences between rat and mouse
Rats can often be confused with mice, but they are different species even though they are both part of the Muridae family. Here are some of the differences between rat and mouse:
- Rats reach up to 30 centimeters, while mice only measure 15.
- Rats have long legs and small ears, while mice stand out for their large ears and tiny legs.
- Mice whiskers are longer.
- Mice usually have light fur combined with dark tones, such as grey, white and brown. Rats, for their part, are mainly black or brown, although they may have white spots and there are light-colored rats.
- Mice have a more docile behavior, while rats easily show more aggressive reactions, manifested in screeches, bristling hair and biting.
These are some of the main differences. Now, how do mice eat?
What do mice eat?
In the wild, mice have a herbivorous diet They feed on fruits, leaves, stems, seeds, cereals, mushrooms, among others. others. In their adaptation to cities, they have become accustomed to ingesting a wide spectrum of human waste and can be considered omnivorous, as they eat cheese, processed food scraps, and carrion.
Similarly, for domestic mice there is the option of acquiring feed formulated for mice. For both domestic and wild mice, water is crucial and they require access to it at all times.
