Suebee's Rat Diet?

[EarlGrey]

Hi everyone!
I have a general question about this specific rat supplement I found while searching the internet:
http://www.ratsrule.com/diet.html

It's basically a mix of oats, puffed cereal, Total cereal, dried fruit and raw pasta.
I was wondering if this mix would be healthy to supplement with the lab blocks (so they eat about half mix, half blocks), or if I should just stick to feeding them lab blocks and fruits & veggies as treats?
I just want my ratties to have the best diet possible so they don't fall ill.

Thanks!

~ Natalie

 

[Melissa]

I prefer the lab blocks becuase the ratties can pick and chose too much with the mixed diet. The block diet ensures they get all their vitmains.

 

[LA]

I find the same, mine pick out what they like and leave what they don't. Jo and others will tell you the best is to feed high quality lab blocks and suppliment with veggies and fruits.

 

[jorats]

Yep, a high quality lab block is really all you need to feed your babes.
The Suebee's mix is very lacking in essential nutrients. It promotes picking out favourites and rats can become fat. Many rats will totally ignore the blocks for the yummy mix which then assures a very poor diet.
I had my vet, her colleagues and an animal nutritionist look into the Suebee's mix and the all concur that it's not ok to feed to rats as part of their staple. If you want to give it as a fun treat, that's different but it shouldn't be often.

 

[EarlGrey]

Awesome, thanks for all of your help!

I was a bit unsure about it too, as I know that when you feed a seed mix the rats tend to pick out the more fattening seeds, so I figured this mix would result in the same behaviour.

 

[jorats]

You were exactly right.

 

[jennifervb]

Hi everyone!
I have a general question about this specific rat supplement I found while searching the internet:
http://www.ratsrule.com/diet.html

It's basically a mix of oats, puffed cereal, Total cereal, dried fruit and raw pasta.
I was wondering if this mix would be healthy to supplement with the lab blocks (so they eat about half mix, half blocks), or if I should just stick to feeding them lab blocks and fruits & veggies as treats?
I just want my ratties to have the best diet possible so they don't fall ill.

Thanks!

~ Natalie

Debbie the Rat Lady does not, at all, support Suebee's rat diet. I have found that Debbie's tofu/molasses balls are wonderful for my boys. The little guys are forced to eat everything and can not pick out their favorite things.

My little man, Basil, is famous for being "picky" and seems to want to go for the fattiest thing on the menu! If I don't watch him, he will blow up like a little balloon!

Ben is more cautious of what he eats... the little GQ adonis. LOL :laugh4: