Will Rats Eat Other Rats?
WouterSome people are concerned that rats may begin to eat other rats, especially in captivity. While this isn’t uncommon, it’s important to note that it is not healthy. There are several reasons why rats can become cannibalistic, including stress and lack of food. Rats are sensitive creatures, so they can be triggered to engage in cannibalism when conditions are stressful or food sources are limited.
Rats are omnivorous, meaning they eat a wide variety of foods. Their diets can be very varied from one region to another. For example, a wild rat from North America will eat completely different foods from those from Australia. Luckily, we can use behavior to determine the typical diet of rats from a given region. Rats also nibble on a variety of food, including human food and pet food.
Rats can become aggressive if they have an increased risk of disease or injury. You should see a veterinarian if you notice an increase in aggression among rats in a stable group. If you find that the rats are attacking each other, try to separate them. Remember to mask the sights, smells, and sounds that could irritate or frighten your rats.
While rodent control methods are often effective, their effects wear off over time. If your rats are constantly exposed to the same food, you may be unable to keep them from eating each other. This can result in diseases and death. As a result, it is important to provide them with a varied diet to prevent this problem.
