How Much Do Rats Eat?
WouterWhen you are thinking about feeding your rats, it’s important to know how much they typically eat. Rats typically eat between 12 grams and 20 grams of dry food daily. But if you plan to feed them fresh fruits and vegetables, this amount could be significantly reduced. It’s also important to remember that a handful is about right for two rats. If you have a larger rat, you may want to feed them a little more than that.
Rats also enjoy dry cereals and breadcrumbs. However, they tend to prefer soft food such as mashed potatoes and peanut butter sandwiches. The food that rats eat should be low in fat and calories. A small amount of processed food is acceptable, but keep the amount to a minimum. Rats can become obese if they eat too much or when they are bored.
Rats also love cheese, as it contains calcium and phosphorus. Since rats can’t produce milk, cheese is an excellent source of protein. Meat is another food that rats enjoy. Unlike humans, rats can digest meat very well. In fact, they get around 80 percent of their daily nutrients from meat. However, this is still a very small percentage of their diet. Rats can also eat a variety of vegetables, such as broccoli and carrots.
Although most vegetables are safe for rats to eat, there are certain types that should not be fed to them. Some vegetables that your rats can eat include asparagus, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, corn, cucumber, peas, zucchini, and parsnip. Some vegetables, however, can cause gas for rats and should be avoided.
