What Do Rats Eat?

While rats are opportunistic feeders, their preferences vary widely. Most of their food comes from plants, grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables, but they also eat smaller animals. Eating insects is much less common because it requires hunting. But despite their omnivorous diet, rats have three main preferences: water, food, and shelter. Rats can drink from leaking faucets, storm drains, and even pet bowls and birdbaths.

Rats will eat almost anything if they’re starving, but you should keep in mind that certain foods can be poisonous to them. They are omnivores, meaning they eat meat and vegetables, but they need animal protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Because of this, rats aren’t picky eaters and will sample new foods before they eat them.

Most rats are omnivores, but some species eat meat and garbage. Rats that live in urban areas will consume pet food and human food. You should store pet food and human food indoors to prevent rats from getting into your house. Rats also feed on garbage and other organic waste.

Rats have great climbing skills and can climb walls and trees. They have excellent memories and can remember their routes for a long time. However, they do have poor eyesight. They use their whiskers to navigate, and their tails for balancing. They also use their tails to communicate with other rats.