There are so many different food options for rats on the market today, but which ones really offer your rat the nutrients and vitamins they need to thrive? We've compiled a list of some of the basic ways you can ensure the food you're buying is the best you can find.
High Protein: Rodents have very fast metabolisms so they need a lot of protein in order to maintain a healthy body composition. The higher the protein content, the better; but the best foods you can find have more than 17% protein.
High Protein: Rodents have very fast metabolisms so they need a lot of protein in order to maintain a healthy body composition. The higher the protein content, the better; but the best foods you can find have more than 17% protein.
Natural Ingredients: You want to look for food with wholesome REAL ingredients. Read the product label. Can you identify all of the ingredients listed? Are they natural, whole ingredients (not flours or by-products)? These are important questions to ask.
No Fillers / Additives / Colors: Rats are much smaller than us, and because of this their bodies cannot easily process the same preservatives, additives, and colors that we do. Opt for foods where you can identify everything listed on the product label.
Low Percentage of Fatty Seeds: Not all seed mixes are created equal. Sunflower seeds and corn are very high in fat and should not be a primary feeding source in your pet’s food. Try to find foods that do not list sunflower or corn as a top 3 ingredient.
More Grains Than Greens: Rats were not made to survive on a diet absent of lots of seeds and grains. Try to avoid foods that list ‘timothy hay’ or ‘alfalfa’ as a top 5 ingredient- as rat food should have some kind of seed listed for each of those ingredients.
Good Sources of Protein: In the wild rats will seek out protein from multiple sources and your rat should have that same ability in captivity. Good sources of protein in a mouse's food can include meal worms, egg, nuts, quinoa, chia, hemp seeds.
Good Sources of Fat: Your food should have ingredients listed that have healthy sources of fat- which eliminate processed grains and replace them with healthier substitutes like almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and kamut.
Big Variety: In the wild rats are scavengers. They eat a large array of seeds, grains, nuts, greens, fruits, and bugs. So why should your rat be limited to only a few ingredients in captivity? Look for the widest ingredients list possible. A large array of seeds allows your mouse to pick out the ones with the vitamins their body is currently craving. Many tastes and textures also keep your pet mentally engaged, help their digestive system, and can create more healthy appetite habits.
Our Top Pick
So what’s our top pick for a commercial rat food today? We’re big fans of Eco Animal’s 'Organic Mouse and Rat Food' available on Amazon.