Can Pet Rats Eat Vegetables?

Although rats are not omnivores, they can enjoy certain types of vegetables. While some fruits and vegetables are poisonous to rats, most are perfectly safe to feed them. These vegetables are a great way to supplement their pellet diet. Some good choices for a rat’s diet include asparagus, carrots, cauliflower, corn, cucumber, peas, squash, and zucchini. Sweet peppers are also a good option, as they have a high vitamin C content and can be served raw or cooked. Avoid iceberg lettuce though, as this type of lettuce can cause loose stools in rats.

As a treat, rats love sugary treats. Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are all safe to feed to your rat. However, red berries can turn the rat’s stool red and may even resemble blood. Other fruits you can give your rat include pears, peaches, plums, and watermelon.

Bananas are another healthy choice for your rat’s diet. Bananas are rich in vitamin C and can prevent scurvy, a condition caused by a lack of the vitamin in the rat’s diet. Bananas are particularly beneficial to your rat’s health, because they lower cholesterol in the body. Just make sure to buy bananas that are ripe because under-ripe bananas are not good for a rat’s digestive system.

Rats can eat meat, but it’s best to select lean meats like chicken and beef. They will also accept cooked meats as a treat.