Rats eat food of both plant and animal origins. You can give them specially prepared rodent or rabbit mixes but make sure it contains a variety of ingredients. Grain foods and bird seeds as also suitable. Sunflower seeds and peanuts should be rationed as they are high in fat and protein which could make your pet too fat. Rats also enjoy fruit and vegetables such as apple, carrot, cabbage, grapes and banana, which is a real treat! But remember to wash all fruit and vegetables first.
Wholemeal toast or bread that has been baked in the oven or pieces of wood can also be given to rats and this will also help to keep their teeth in good condition. NEVER give you pet wood that is painted, varnished or stained or wood from trees such as Laurel, Privet, Yew or Holly.

All food should be given in small dishes, preferably earthenware as it is easily cleaned and difficult to tip over. You will need two dishes as fresh foods such as fruit and vegetable should not be mixed with dry food. Although rats should eat at least 10g of dry food per day plus some fresh foods they should always have access to dry food and fresh drinking water. Fresh drinking water should be placed in a gravity fed bottle and attached to their cage for easy access.

Rats are quite hardy animals and should live problem free lives if given good care and attention. Cleanliness is one of the most important factors in keeping your rat healthy. Signs of ill health are; lack of appetite for food or water, excessive sleeping, lack of interest in it owner or surroundings and difficulty in moving around.

The more you know about your rats normal behaviour the more easily you will be able to judge is something is wrong. Signs of respiratory distress (wheezing etc) or dark staining around the rats’ eyes and/or nose are serious signs and veterinary advice must be sought immediately.