Feeding Rats

Re: Feeding Rats

Cloudy Weather — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:47:23 GMT

For all rat lovers out there, if you are thinking of getting rats please consider re-homing some from Camp Nibbble small animal re-homing centre (based in Leeds) rather than a breeder (think there is another re-homing centre based in yorkshire somewhere). And if you just looking to help the small furries then Camp Nibble would be so grateful of the support (www.campnibble.co.uk) .

Hope you don't mind me putting this in your discussion Carol - just felt like it was a good opportunity to mention their name as there seem to be a lot of people who care for small animals on here!:) Camp nibble do an amazing job, the lady who runs it does it from her own home and struggles on with limited sums. They have just registered as a charity and are doing an absolutely amazing job its wonderful to see such dedication.

Re: Feeding Rats

Carol Cottrell — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:21:27 GMT

http://www.shunamiterats.co.uk/shunamite.shtml

Re: Feeding Rats

Julie-Anne Wilson — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:47:09 GMT

[quote user="GremlinNurse"]

My ratties used to love whole hard boiled eggs, with shell on...keeps them busy for ages too!

[/quote]

My old rats didn't much care for boiled eggs. I need to remember to try my current 2 with them.

Re: Feeding Rats

GremlinNurse — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:26:27 GMT

Aww, rats are fantastic little pets, I've had 20 over the years and I remember each one :)

My ratties used to love whole hard boiled eggs, with shell on...keeps them busy for ages too!

Re: Feeding Rats

Julie-Anne Wilson — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:39:04 GMT

Rats are really prone to mammary tumours anyway. I don't think the diet they're fed is really going to make that much of a difference.

Re: Feeding Rats

Katie Mansfield — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:32:23 GMT

[quote user="melanie percival"] shunamite type diet as shop bought food has a lot of fat and poor quality protein in which has been linked to tumour growth in female rats.[/quote]

Can you elaborate on this diet?

Also do you know of any research papers on the nutritional link to tumour growth? Not doubting your breeder, just interested.

K x

Re: Feeding Rats

melanie percival — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:15:17 GMT

I have always fed my rats on the nugget type foods with extra fruit and veg etc. However after speaking to a breeder (who i'm getting some babies from in the new year) she reccomends the shunamite type diet as shop bought food has a lot of fat and poor quality protein in which has been linked to tumour growth in female rats. I was unaware of this and both of my last 2 rats had mammary lumps. I will definitely be feeding my new babies a better and more varied diet!

Hope this helps

Re: Feeding Rats

Katie Mansfield — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:44:42 GMT

Ours also get PAH own brand rat nuggets so they can't select-feed. They also get the occasional dog biscuit and left-overs from us once a week. We give them honey sticks as well once a month which have seeds and nuts pressed into them - I tie them up in the enclosure in the most awkward to get to places so they have to problem solve to get to them.

Last weekend I bought them a treat ball and put their food inside. They're meant to push the ball about until a nugget drops out. I wouldn't recommend this tho - they ate the treat ball!!!!!

K x

Re: Feeding Rats

Carol Cottrell — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:22:12 GMT

Thanks everyone :) x

Re: Feeding Rats

Julie-Anne Wilson — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:42:45 GMT

I used to feed my last 3 Supa Rat so they couldn't pick any bits out. And they got drops regularly and fruit and veg whenever it was going.

My current 2 I feed Pets At Home equivalent to Supa Rat just because that's what they were getting when I bought them and PaH don't sell Supa Rat so it's easier to get a hold of. The get drop treats regularly and, again, fruit and veg when it's there. I don't buy fruit or veg just for the and neither me or the BF are big fruit and veg eaters so it's just whenever we have some in the house.

Re: Feeding Rats

Elerrina — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:24:31 GMT

We use supreme science selective rat food for all our rats. They seem to love it and its a vegetarian diet which also helps keep them from smelling so bad.

Re: Feeding Rats

Cloudy Weather — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:01:15 GMT

I wouldn't use a pet shop mix myself. The problem with muesli diets for rats, mice etc is that they often pick out their favourite bits and don't get the right balance of nutrients. I find that Science selective to be a good range for rodents as they offer food in pellet form to give them the right balance of good ingredients. Hope that helps!

Hope all goes well. :)