The Rat Room

For many years, I’ve been a strong advocate for rat blocks, mainly because they are the *only* food item that contains all the nutrients required for the rat in one hard block. Not only does it ensure a balanced meal but it also satisfies the chewing need of the rat.

On The Rat Shack, we are lucky to have Sorraia (Nicole) with us. She is a biologist and has studied, cared for and bred rats for over 2 decades. Recently she has decided to tackle the difficult task of breaking down the rat’s diet. She has put together a chart of sorts, comparing different foods that are being offered to rats in the rat community. There are still people out there giving their rats, dog food, which in my opinion and that of several vets is totally unsuitable. Nicole also breaks down what is found in dog food. You’ll see that most do seem to contain a lot of what the rat requires yet all dog food is usually devoid of vitamin K which is extremely important for our rats. If you feed a dog food, you really need to supplement to ensure the rat is getting everything he/she needs.
Not only is dog food not a balanced diet for the rat but even more importantly, it is NOT ENERGY DENSE ENOUGH for our rats. Rats require their energy to come from carbs and not fats and protein like it is for dogs. All dog food is loaded with meats for DOGS!
Use the chart to compare your blocks, or to help you supplement if you find your rat diet is currently lacking.
If you intend to or already do use the Suebee’s mix, you MUST!!! follow the recipe exactly. Nicole told me that the Total cereal is really the one food that allows to make that diet complete. So if you live in Canada and don’t have access to Total, your Suebee’s mix could be harming your rat.
Another thing you need to keep in mind about the Suebee’s mix, your rat NEEDS! to eat every single piece added to the mix. Assuming your rat is eating every bit is dangerous. If one rat decides he doesn’t like the Total cereal and leaves it for his buddies to consume, you will have a seriously sick rat on your hands in no time.

I recommend every rat lover should bookmark Nicole’s blog NOM-ology. As a rat lover, diet should be very important to you as it is one factor that will determine how long your rat will live.

A member and moderartor on the Rat Shack forum wrote this article on water. It’s very well done and should be read by all.

We’ve had questions about what water should I be giving my rats. There are a lot of opinions and personal choices. Here is some information on the different types of water so you can make a choice. I used to work for a water purification company and learned a lot during that time.

And by another member, SQ writes:

Rats need to be given water that does not contain either chlorine or fluoride.

Note: it is also very important to clean water bottles and the sipper tube well every couple of days

There are several types of rat blocks, some better then others.
Rat blocks are formulated with all the nutrients for the pet rat it also prevents the rat from picking out certain foods they prefer which could cause for a very lacking diet.

I highly recommend the Harlan Teklad 2014 and Oxbow Regal Rat.

Harlan Teklad 2014 (can be ordered online in the US, harder to find in Canada. Can be found at U of Guelph)

Product Description
2014 Teklad Global 14% Protein Rodent Maintenance Diet is designed and manufactured with high quality ingredients. 2014 is a fixed formula, nutritionally balanced, non-autoclavable diet containing a minimum of 14% protein and 3.5% fat. Scientific publications report that low fat, low protein diets promote longevity and normal body weight in rodents. 2014 does not contain alfalfa or soybean meal, thus minimizing the occurrence of natural phytoestrogens. Absence of animal protein and fish meal eliminates the presence of nitrosamines.

Ingredients—Wheat middlings, ground wheat, ground corn, corn gluten meal,
calcium carbonate, soybean oil, dicalcium phosphate, iodized salt, L-lysine, DLmethionine,
choline chloride, niacin, vitamin A acetate, biotin, pyridoxine
hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid,
menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), vitamin E
supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, calcium pantothenate, ferrous
sulfate, magnesium oxide, manganous oxide, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, calcium
iodate, cobalt carbonate, chromium potassium sulfate.
Standard Product
Crude Protein 14.5%
Crude Oil (Fat) 4.0%
Crude Fiber 4.5%

Harlan Teklad 2018

Ingredients—Ground wheat, ground corn, wheat middlings, dehulled soybean
meal, corn gluten meal, soybean oil, calcium carbonate, brewers dried yeast,
dicalcium phosphate, iodized salt, L-lysine, DL-methionine, choline chloride,
niacin, vitamin A acetate, biotin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine
mononitrate, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, menadione sodium bisulfite
complex (source of vitamin K activity), vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12
supplement, riboflavin, calcium pantothenate, ferrous sulfate, magnesium oxide,
manganous oxide, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, calcium iodate, cobalt carbonate,
chromium potassium sulfate, kaolin.
Standard Product

Crude Protein 18.8%
Crude Oil (Fat) 6.0%
Crude Fiber 3.8%

Oxbow Regal Rat (Can be bought at vet clinics and online, some stores are starting to carry them)

Oxbow Regal Rat is a low-fat, nutritionally-balanced food that improves the quality of life for adult pet rats without causing life-threatening obesity. The complete, stabilized kibble contains 100% of a rat’s daily essential nutrients and prevents selective feeding, common with seed and fruit-based diets. Regal Rat was formulated by a team of professionals in the laboratory animal science, zoo nutrition and wildlife nutrition fields.

Whole Brown Rice, Oat Groats, Wheat Bran, Wheat, Soybean Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Soybean Hulls, Monocalcium Phosphate, Flax Seed Meal, (Linseed), Brewers Yeast, Calcium Carbonate, Wheat Germ Meal, Methionine DL, Salt, Yeast Culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement (tocopherol), Vitamin C Supplement (Ascorbic Acid), Colloidal Silica, Riboflavin, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, Thiamine, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Pyrodoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Magnesium Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Cobalt Carbonate, Manganese Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Mineral Oil, Calcium Iodate, Potassium Chloride, Natural Flavorings
Guaranteed Analysis

* Crude Protein min 14.00%
* Crude Fat min 4.00%
* Crude Fiber max 10.00%

Mazuri Rodent Breeder 6F (sold at Ren’s in Ontario)

A diet designed for feeding rats and mice which are maintained in breeding colonies and intended for use as food for other species such as reptiles.

Ingredients: ground corn, dehulled soybean meal, ground oats, porcine animal fat preserved with BHA, cane molasses, wheat midlings, dehydrated alfalfa meal, ground wheat, ground soybean hulls, calcium carbonate, fish meal, salt, brewers dried yeast, dicalcium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, dried beet pulp, wheat germ, corn gluten meal, soybean oil, menadione dimethylpyrimidinol bisulfite (vitamin K) pyridoxine hydrochloride, DL-methionine, choline chloride, dried yucca schidigera extract, cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) thiamin mononitrate, folic acid, biotin, dl-alpha tocophyrel acetate, (vitamin E) calcium pantothenate, vitamin b12 supplement, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, vitamin A acetate, manganous oxide, zinc oxide, ferrous carbonate, copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, calcium iodate, cobalt carbonate.

protein 16%
fat 6%
fiber 6%

Living World Extrusion (Can be found at Pet Valu and Petsmart in Ontario, some Zellers and some Walmarts)

Ingredients: ground corn, ground wheat, soybean meal, wheat middlings, yeast culture, dehydrated alfalfa meal, dried beet pulp, lecithin, dried corn fermentation, soluble product, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, salt, clcium propionate (preservative) DL-methionine, choline chloride, dried Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation extract, rosemary extract, L-lysine, yucca schidigera extract, cobalt sulfate, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide sodium selenite, vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, folic acid, niacin, calcium pantothenate, vitamin Z supplement, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K) calcium iodate, vitamin D3 supplement.

protein: 16%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 4.5%

I found another rat food… not sure yet how I like it. I’m trying it out on my young boys as it is a little higher in protein.

Rodent Diet by Cuisine (Can be found at Pet Valu in Ontario)

Ingredients: Ground corn, wheat middlings, dehulled soybean meal, fish meal, soybean oil, calcium carbonate, cane molasses, dehydrated alfalfa meal, salt, DLmethionine, L-lysine, menadione dimethylpyrimidinol bisulfite, vitamin A acetate, cholecalciferol, pyridoxine hydrochloride, magnesium oxide, biotin, dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate, riboflavin, vitamin B-12 supplement, folic acid, nicotinic acid, thiamin mononitrate, calcium pantothenate, manganous oxide, zinc oxide, ferrous carbonate, copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, calcium iodate, cobalt carbonate, sodium selenite.

Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 18.0%, Crude Fat 5.0%, Crude Fibre 5.0%

Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse and Rat ( I believe this one is not so bad except for the high protein but if you don’t have anything else in your area, I’d stick with this one.)

KAYTEE® Forti-Diet® Pro Health™ is a Nutritionally Enhanced Daily Diet that provides the essential nutrients your pet needs for a long, healthy life.

With DHA OMEGA-3 – Supports Heart, Brain & Visual Functions

Rich in Natural Antioxidants – For general health and immune support

Probiotics & Prebiotics -Natural ingredients that aid in digestive health

Naturally Preserved – For ideal freshness

Rich in fiber – Essential for proper function of the gastrointestinal tract

Yucca – For odor control

Promotes a soft, healthy coat
Ingredients:
Ground Yellow Corn, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Ground Wheat, Ground Oats, Ground Peanuts, Sun-cured Alfalfa Meal, Ground Flax Seed, Dried Cane Molasses, Lignin Sulfonate, Corn Sugar, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Ground Rice, Salt, Soy Oil, Brewers Dried Yeast, Dried Beet Pulp, Whole Cell Algae Meal (source of Omega-3 DHA), Fructooligosaccharide, DL-Methionine, Yeast Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Lysine, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Ferrous Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of vitamin K activity), Copper Sulfate, L-Carnitine, Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, Natural Flavoring. Allergen information: Contains peanuts and/or other tree nuts.
Guaranteed Analysis:

Crude Protein (min.)………..21.0%
Crude Fat (min.)………………4.5%
Crude Fiber (max.)……………7.0%

There’s also Mazuri Rodent diet with 23% protein and 6.5% fat. (Can be found at Petsmart)
LabDiet/Purina rat chow/PMI Nutrition International with 22% protein and 4% fat. (Can be found at several feed stores)
similar ingredients to all the others above.

I’ve been researching rat nutrition on and off for the last 6 years, ever since getting my first rats.
There are several factors that contribute to happy healthy ratties. Clean habitat, mental and physical stimulation, low caloric diet and proper nutrition.
It has been common practice to give rats a high protein diet. Mine didn’t do well on it, not only for the protein levels in dog food but also the lack of proper nutrients in a grain mix diet.
Following my vet’s advice and her top international exotic colleagues and an animal nutritionist, I switched my crew to a block specifically formulated for rats. But even then, it wasn’t good enough as most blocks have high protein and fat levels.

My research consisted of several links and articles.

Those that made an impact on me is the Nutrient Requirements of the Laboratory Rat.

Also,
The China Study: the most comprehensive study on nutrition ever conducted by T. Colin Campbell

And
The affect of sugar on the body:

FAT
It has been noted that rats fair better on a low fat diet. Research have shown that 5% dietary lipid is optimum for energy retention. Energy retention was smaller when decreased and increased, meaning, if the fat was less than 5% the rats had less energy but… if more than 5% again, they had less energy.
An experiment regarding mammary tumours and increased fat showed that mammary tumours are better nourished in rats fed a high fat diet.
Also, lactating rats fed a 5% fat diet demonstrated that rat pups developed equally as well when mom was on a low fat diet.

PROTEIN
Protein requirements decline from 28% at 30 days old to 10% at 50 days old in rats. Studies have shown the maintenance requirement to be 5% when the source is of high quality.

The China Study has shown that rats fed an optimum diet of only 5% protein are less likely to develop cancer even when given a toxin. Rats when fed a 20% protein diet and given a toxin went on to develop cancer. This strengthens the theory that 5% protein is the optimum protein intake for rats.

An animal nutritionist goes on to confirm that rats actually need a lot less protein than what was first developed by Harlan labs for rat blocks. He states that an adult rat only needs about 9 % crude protein or less to function properly.

The effects of a diet high in protein can cause kidney and liver damage.
The breakdown of protein into chemical energy by the body creates by-products of ammonia which is filtered through the kidneys into urea. Too much of this filtering can cause damage to the kidneys. The liver is damaged by free ammonia particles in the blood.

SUGAR
White sugar is a major contributor to several health risk.
Here are just a few of them:

Sugar contributes to the reduction in the defence against bacterial infections.
Sugar upsets the mineral relationship in the body.
Sugar can cause premature aging.
Sugar can cause tooth decay (tooth abscesses)
Sugar contributes to obesity.
Sugar can increase the amount of liver fat.
Sugar can cause a permanent altering of the way the protein act in the body.
Sugar can damage the pancreas.
… and so much more, so think twice before feeding yogies to your rat.

The question has been asked time and time again, what is best for my rat?

Rats have nutritional needs unique to them. They are not dogs nor humans, they require more or less than other species. Companies like Harlan Teklad and Oxbow have put in time and energy and cost in finding out exactly what the rat needs in nutrients, in vitamins, minerals, macro and micro minerals. They have produced an excellent block which contains everything a rat needs.
Rats fed a high quality block don’t need anything extra in their diets but supplementing with fresh veggies daily is a huge benefit to them and gives them variety in their diet.

Dog food is formulated for dogs, it contains mostly proteins because that is their primary energy source.
Rats need carbs as their primary energy source.
Which is why dog food is not energy dense enough for rats.

It is not impossible to create a fresh natural diet for rats but you need to research in order to provide all the daily required nutrients.
Nutrient Requirements of the Laboratory Rat
The Lab rat’s needs are closer to our pet rat’s needs than the wild rat’s needs.

For a natural diet, the rats would require a protein source not necessarily from animals. They require lots of carbs as their energy source so grains, nuts, seeds… fresh veggies for excellent nutrients such as calcium and vitamin K.(raw and cooked yellow, orange and green ones) also fresh fruits like red grapes, apples, blueberries, etc…)
But again, you would need to do your research in order to formulate the best possible diet for your rats.
When making your natural diet, a commercial rat block as well as a commercial dog food may be a good supplement to their daily fresh foods. But don’t forget to balance out the high protein and high fat in the commercial pet foods.

Corn and alfalfa is not bad for rats. They do have nutritional value. They do however contain cellulose which reduces somewhat but not entirely it’s digestibility. They provide energy, protein and fiber.
It has been said that corn may contain fungi but all grains cultivated in fields, kept in silos may contain fungi, nitrates and nitrites… Cheerios anyone? …not to mention all the vegetables!
Here’s an excellent article on alfalfa

Don’t take other people’s word for it!! Research!
And don’t forger: low protein, low fat, no sugar, no salt.