Do Rats Eat Meat?

Rats are omnivores, which means they eat a wide variety of foods including plants, seeds, fruits, vegetables, nuts, insects, and  animal products, such as milk and cheese.

Chances are you’ve given your rats a bit of cheese, or a delicious little bowl of yogurt.

However, some question whether or not they should give their rats meat; is it safe for a rat to eat?

 

Rats: Nature’s Incredible, Intelligent Scavenger

Rats are one of nature’s most important clean up crews. Along with vultures, flies, o’possums, and many other critters, they clean up what others may not want.

Whether that’s a leftover slice of pizza on the streets of NYC, the mess you left on your shirt while eating cookies, or chasing down a common housefly, there isn’t much a rat won’t gobble down.

If you toss a piece of chicken in front of your rat, he or she will run for the hills with a tasty new prize, but there’s no need to fret! 

It’s perfectly safe.

Rats Love Meat!

Rats absolutely love meat, especially when it’s part of your delicious tomato pasta (rats can have tomatoes!) or sitting atop a divine salad. As a rat owner, you’ve likely found yourself robbed of one of your favorite meals due to your smart little pets.

They swoop in when you don’t realize it, and run with their spoils. They absolutely love to dine with us; but you have to be careful, because they will stash their favorite foods (from your meal) in all kinds of places.

Then, they’ll forget about it.

Trust me, if you’re not careful, you’ll find little dried out food stashes all over your home weeks later!

The last thing you want laying around is meat; thus, I don’t recommend giving them much to nibble on, unless they are in their cages. Speaking of which…

How Much Meat Can Rats Have?

Depending on the age, size, and weight of your rat, I would only include meat as a part of a balanced diet. They should not have an entire meal made up of your leftover bits of chicken or pork; instead, offer them a piece roughly the size of their heads at most.

Protein is a very important part of a rat’s diet, and meat is an excellent way to fit that protein in. However, a rat who is overweight needs to be watched carefully. Generally, lowering the carbohydrate and sugar intake can make a world of difference (Sorry little guys; that means a lot less Cheerios, yogurt, chocolate, and noodles!)

If you are lowering your rat’s carbohydrate and sugar intake, meat is an excellent, tasty treat to get their minds off of the loss of their favorite snacks. I’d also encourage a bit of exercise, too; there are rat wheels out there that’ll make it easier to entice your rat into becoming more active.

Ensuring That Meat Is Safe for Your Rat’s Consumption

Before you go to feed your rats meat, just be sure that the food is safe for consumption. A rat’s stomach can handle much more than a human’s can, as rats are able to consume raw meat naturally. However, since they are pets that are living in close quarters with humans, it’s important to ensure that the rats don’t fall ill or become infected with parasites or diseases that could possibly be transmitted to humans.

Thus, let’s be sure to follow safe meat handling processes:

  • Cook meat to an internal temperature of 165*F.
  • Do not cook or serve spoiled meat.
  • Always prevent cross contamination; never use wood cutting boards for meat, and don’t use the same cutting boards for raw meat and fruits/vegetables.
  • If meat seems contaminated with something, or if it is recalled, be sure to return the product to the store.
  • Always refrigerate leftovers.

One Last Note…

If you are offering your rat a recipe that you’ve made with meat, be sure that it does not contain any dangerous foods for rats.

 

They Worship Rats Here, and I’d Love to Visit!

This is the rat temple:
Karni Mata Temple.

In Bikaner, India, there are special caretakers who manage the staggering population of over 20,000 rats in this beautiful temple. Day in and day out, they clean up after the rats, feed them, and offer them water. The rats not only have caretakers though; the public as a whole protects them.

These rats are believe to be the children of a beloved goddess, making them a sacred part of the community. They are treated with love, respect, and treats galore!

I’d love to visit this place someday, India is a beautiful place and this only adds to the list of exciting things I would love to see in that country. The sheer idea of tens of thousands of rats running free is astounding; I cannot imagine how many pounds of food they must go through!

Can Rats Eat Tomatoes?

So, you cleaned out your fridge.

Or, perhaps you have a beautiful garden that is providing you with more fruit than you know what to do with.

Yet again, maybe you have a tomato left over from your salad and you just want to see what your ratties think about it.

You stop and think… “But, CAN rats eat tomatoes? Or will it hurt them… Maybe it’s too acidic? Maybe I should wait…” Read more

What Is a Rat Feeder Breeder?




Buying rats can be the best experience in the world; however, it’s all based upon the breeder that you obtain the animals from. A proper breeder will offer healthy, happy animals who will bond wonderfully to their new owners, with exceptional personalities that are not prone to aggression. On the flip side, poor quality breeders like feeder breeders could turn your rat owning experience into one of your worst nightmares. Read more

A Breeder Sold Me Sick Injured Animals: What Do I Do?

A Breeder Sold Me Sick Injured Animals: What Do I Do?

bumble foot in pet fancy rats

this is a guinea pig, but it is exactly the same as rat bumble foot. Very gross, very painful, and very difficult for a rat to go through.

Rat breeders and rescuers make it possible for owners and prospective owners to find ratties to adopt and love. However, not all breeders are created equal. Some breeders are poor quality “feeder breeders.” These breeders do not take care of their animals as they should, significantly increasing the risk of a sickly animal. If you have purchased a sick or injured rat from a poor quality breeder, there are several steps that you can take. Read more

Couponing for Rats: $1 Cheerios at CVS! 2/13/16

Couponing for Rats: $1 Cheerios at CVS!

Alright guys, due to my recent obsession with couponing, I’m going to be sharing all of my rat friendly coupon deals with you. This one definitely inspired me! Instead of paying $3 for a box of Cheerios, how about paying $1? Even if you exceed the limit on your CVS Extrabucks, you’ll still get them for $1.50 per box with the coupon. Great deal, right? If you have any questions, check out the bullet list at the bottom of this post. Print NOW and use by tomorrow 2/13/16 at midnight! Sale ends soon, so get it while you can!!!

The Cheerios Deal

  • Print out the coupon below twice. You have a printing allowance of twice per computer.
  • Go to your local CVS and pick up two 12 oz boxes of Cheerios (or whichever Cheerios have the $1 extrabucks promotion tag).
  • At the register, present your CVS card so extrabucks will print. Once the cashier scans the Cheerios, give them the $1 off 2 Cheerios coupon you printed. Each coupon requires two boxes purchased.
  • Your $1 Extrabucks will print!



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Price Break Down

  • Cheerios are on sale at CVS for 2 for $4
  • Coupon is $1 off 2, bringing the price down to $1.50 each, or 2 for $3.
  • After the $1 Extrabucks prints, you have paid $3 for two boxes of cereal with a $1 Extrabuck in your hand. This brings the final price to $1 per box! You can then use that Extrabuck on MORE cheerios!
  1. What Are Extrabucks?           Extrabucks are like CVS “cash” that you can spend at CVS. They are linked to your CVS card and cannot be used with another card.  They print on your receipt, and can be redeemed immediately. Look at it like a CVS gift card!
  2. Why Can I Print Only 2 Coupons?          Couponing sites have a limit per device to prevent abuse. Every computer, cell phone, and tablet is limited to two copies each.
  3. What About CVS Limits?            CVS sets limits on its extrabucks promotions. This limit is usually from anywhere between 1 and 6 times. Check out sales ads for more information.

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3 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Your Rat!

3 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Your Rat!

double rex dumbo rat, courtesy of Judi Cox.

double rex dumbo rat, courtesy of Judi Cox.

Our rats are beautiful, complex creatures that we struggle to understand sometimes. However, we still love them to the moon and back! We’ll never understand why it is necessary to stash our keys under the couch, eat all of the buttons off of the remote, or steal an entire chicken leg from the plate only to cover the wood floors in grease. But, it’s all part of being a rat! Anyways, I’ve got three little things that you might not know about your rats!

Rats Can Only See Within 3 Feet of Their Bodies- If That!

history of the pet brown rat Rattus norvegicus

Rattus norvegicus, aka the brown rat or fancy rat. This is where all of our pet rats came from; and while they suffered a dark, grotesque history, they would not be the modern pet rat that they have become without this behind them.

With the speed at which rats fly to the correct top corner of the cage when we enter a room or arrive home, you would think that the rat could see you as clear as day. NOPE! Rats actually have a very limited field of vision. The most they can see is within three feet of them; and even then, it is still blurry and out of focus.

fawn ruby eyed dumbo and top eared ratsRats’ eyes are not the primary sensory organ that they use to survive. Instead, their noses and ears are the ones who lead them to safety and their food. This does not mean that rats do not somewhat rely on their sense of vision too; as it has been proven in many instances that blind rats are more jumpy, caught off guard more easily, and are generally more timid than rats who have their normal sight. This points to only one conclusion: while the vision of a rat may not be very good, it is still well enough that they WILL miss it should they become blind.

Almost All Rats Are Infected with Mycoplasma

rat mouth teeth and incisorsMycoplasma infections can be super nasty, sometimes claiming the lives of the young, the elderly, and the ill. The active infection is called Murine Mycoplasmosis, while the bacteria itself is called Mycoplasma pulmonis. This bacteria is found on (and in) virtually every pet rat. The only way to eliminate it is to birth a litter via c-section in a sterile lab to prevent the mother from passing it to the kits. Like staph and strep, it can become active when the immune system is under great stress.

Rats Can Detect, Understand, and PREDICT Patterns

dumbo rats

Dumbo rats come in a wide variety of colors and coat types. Isn’t Pico the rat adorable? He’s in a brass like tiny vintage bird cage.

Believe it or not, rats are able to detect pat-terns, under-stand them, and predict what the pattern will do next. As a rat owner, you might see this trait subtly in their every day behavior. Your rats have probably picked up on your daily rituals, such as your night time or morning ritual. They know exactly when they will be played with or fed based upon your activities. They also understand voice cues as well. Rats have actually been able to make surprisingly accurate guesses regarding stock market trends. This was one of the most intriguing studies that I have seen yet. I thought it was PERFECT for showing to those who know very little about rats. It demonstrates their intelligence and ability to learn.

Allergic Reaction to Rats: How to Fix Allergies with Rats

Unfortunately, some of us will have allergic reaction to rats. Much like dogs and cats (as well as other allergens), rats can cause some pretty hefty reactions. But, they can be worked with a little bit easier than dogs or cats. Since rats are kept in a cage, they are restricted to a single area in the home. Larger free roaming pets do not; therefore, they can cause more adverse reactions. Before you get rid of your rats, try these methods below to live happily with your rats! A few changes and sacrifices can greatly reduce reactions! Read more

Wild Rats Cause Leptospirosis Outbreak: Pollsmoor Prison

Wild Rats Cause Leptospirosis Outbreak: Pollsmoor Prison

In South Africa, in a city called Cape Town, there rests Pollsmoor Prison. This prison is one of the worst in the country, and now its infestation of wild rats has gained national attention. Why? Because the rats have infected the prison population with Leptospirosis, and it is becoming an epidemic. Check out the YouTube video below for the news story. Read more

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