Rat Safe Foods

Explore what foods your pet rats can and can't eat.

Introduction

When it comes to keeping your pet rats healthy and happy, diet plays a crucial role. As omnivores, rats thrive on variety, but not everything we humans eat is safe for them. This comprehensive guide breaks down which foods are safe to feed, which should be limited, and which should be avoided entirely. Whether you're a new rat parent or a seasoned keeper, this list will help you make informed, safe feeding decisions for your mischief.

Important Note: All foods should be fed in moderation. Even healthy options can cause digestive upset or nutritional imbalance if overfed. When in doubt, introduce new foods slowly and observe for any changes in stool, behavior, or appetite.

Ingredients to Avoid in Packaged Foods

When buying treats or commercial food mixes, read the labels carefully.

Avoid products that include:

  • Artificial preservatives (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin)

  • Artificial dyes and colors

  • Xylitol or other sugar alcohols (extremely toxic!)

  • Corn syrup or added sugars

  • Unspecified "animal byproducts" or mystery meats

  • High sodium content

  • Fish-based protein (difficult for rats to process and not necessary)


Choose simple, limited-ingredient foods when in doubt.

Be Aware of Choking Hazards

These include:

  • Sticky foods (e.g., peanut butter, marshmallow)

  • Hard or brittle items (e.g., cooked bones, uncooked pasta)

  • Dense vegetables (e.g., raw carrot chunks)

  • Seeds or pits (e.g., apple/cherry)

Safe to Feed Regularly

These foods are nutritionally balanced, low-risk, and great staples for your rats.

Commercial Rat Foods:

  • Oxbow Essentials Regal Rat

  • Mazuri Rat & Mouse

  • Science Selective Rat


Fresh Vegetables:

  • Kale

  • Spinach

  • Romaine lettuce

  • Broccoli

  • Green beans

  • Zucchini

  • Cucumber

  • Bell pepper

  • Carrots


Cooked Grains and Legumes:

  • Cooked sweet potato

  • Cooked squash

  • Cooked brown rice

  • Whole wheat pasta (cooked)

  • Quinoa

  • Barley

  • Whole grain bread (in small pieces)

  • Unsweetened oats

Fruits:

  • Blueberries

  • Strawberries

  • Apple (no seeds)

  • Pear

  • Melons


Proteins:

  • Small bits of cooked chicken

  • Scrambled or boiled egg (small portions)


Other:

  • Filtered or dechlorinated water

  • Plain vegetable baby food

  • Infant cereals (e.g., oatmeal, mixed grain)

Safe in Small Quantities Only

These foods are calorie-dense or harder to digest and should only be offered occasionally and in small amounts.

Nuts and Seeds:

  • Almonds

  • Cashews

  • Peanuts (roasted, unsalted)

  • Sunflower seeds

  • Pumpkin seeds


Others:

  • Avocado (flesh only)

  • Hard cheese (e.g., cheddar)

  • Cottage cheese

  • Yogurt drops

  • Yogurt (drop only)

  • Raisins

  • Dried cranberries

  • Dried banana chips

  • Fruit leather

  • Honey (drop only)

  • Molasses (drop only)

  • Non-wheat cooked pasta (tiny pieces)

  • Non-wheat uncooked pasta

  • Cooked rice (small amounts)

  • Bread (toasted or torn small)

  • Liver

  • Organ meats

  • Cooked egg yolk

  • Edamame

  • Dairy-free animal ice cream

Super Special Treat Only (Rare)

These foods should be given once in a great while, if at all. Think of them like cake on a birthday—fun but unnecessary.

Miscellaneous:

  • Ice cream (lick only, check ingredients)

  • Cookie crumbs (no chocolate)

  • Plain cake (no frosting, no chocolate)

  • Donut crumb (no frosting, no chocolate)

  • Gummy candy (non-xylitol only)

  • French fry (plain, tiny piece)

  • Potato chip (unsalted)

  • Pretzel (unsalted)

  • Hot dog (rinsed sliver only)

  • Pizza crust

  • Plain burger meat (unseasoned)

  • Sugary cereal (1 piece only)

  • Whipped cream (dot only)

Never Safe to Feed

These foods are either toxic, contain dangerous additives, or pose major risks like choking, impaction, or poisoning.

Unsafe:

  • Avocado skin and pit

  • Green potato

  • Potato eyes

  • Raw sweet potato

  • Raw dry beans (kidney, lima, etc.)

  • Raw peanuts

  • Blue cheese

  • Green banana

  • Citrus fruits (especially for males)

  • Mango (do not feed to males)

  • Carbonated drinks

  • Alcohol

  • Caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, energy drinks)

  • Onion

  • Garlic

  • Rhubarb

  • Licorice

  • Poppy seeds

  • Apple seeds

  • Cherry/peach/plum pits

  • Marshmallows (whole/sticky)

  • Thick peanut butter (unsupervised)

  • Large sticky cheese globs

  • Raw dried corn kernels

  • Corn-based seed mix fillers

  • Corn syrup

  • Corn chips

  • Wild insects

  • Wild foraged plants

  • Tobacco

  • Human medications (unless prescribed)

Feeding Other Types of Animal Feeds

Many owners wonder about feeding their rats other animal feeds like hamster food, dog treats, or hay. Here's a quick breakdown:

Acceptable in Small Amounts (With Caution):

  • Mouse food (only if labeled safe for both mice and rats, check ingredients)

  • High-quality dry dog kibble (check ingredients)

  • High-quality dry cat kibble (non-fish, protein should be high quality)

  • High-quality dog/cat treats (check ingredients)


Important: Always read the label when feeding animal foods not formulated for rats. Check the protein percentage (ideal range for adult rats is 14–16%) and avoid formulas with excessive fat, fish-based protein, corn byproducts, or mystery byproducts. Some kibbles are fine in small amounts, but many contain ingredients not suitable for long-term health.

Avoid or Not Recommended:

  • Hamster or gerbil mixes (too high in seeds/fats)

  • Rabbit food (low in protein, high in fiber)

  • Alfalfa or hay (indigestible for rats)

  • Straw (risk of impaction)

  • Chicken or horse feed (formulated for different species; may contain additives not safe for rats)

  • Generic seed mixes (encourage selective feeding and are often nutritionally imbalanced)

Conclusion

Feeding pet rats can be fun, enriching, and a great bonding experience. By offering a safe variety and understanding what to avoid, you'll keep your rats healthy while giving them the joy of exploring new tastes and textures. Always monitor how your rats respond to new foods and consult an exotic vet if you’re ever unsure.