NOTE: Commercial hamster mix is neither adequate nor suitable for rats! The basic diet should be rat blocks (preferred) which should be available at your local pet shop (Avi-products manufacture such a product). Try to avoid too much corn and protein in your rat’s diet as this can cause allergic skin reactions.
Supplement your rat’s diet with fresh foods like fruits, cooked sweet potato and beans, broccoli, tomato, live-culture yogurt, and as a treat you can give your pet rat MUNCHEEZ which should also be available at your local pet shop (Parrot Puffs are the same thing). Peel or wash or fruits and vegetables very carefully before feeding it to your rat.
Rats love seed and chewy things so a mixture of sunflower seeds (not too many as it's high in protein), or chew-safe woodblocks (check the parrot section too in a petshop), or mini rawhide chews are a fun way for your rat to keep his/her teeth in good shape.
The following is a diet that's been specifically designed for a rat's daily requirements. Store in an airtight container:
STAPLE DIET:
Do not mix this mix with milk when feeding...it may look like your breakfast cereal, but its just their normal food
• 200g Puffed RiceFresh fruit and veg should be removed after a few hours in the cage. Never leave perishables uneaten in the cage.
• 200g Rolled Oats
• 225g Tri-Coloured Pasta (raw)
• 150g Sunflower Seeds
Remember, too much protein can cause itchiness.
• 125g Puffed Wheat
I use the Rainbow Puffed Wheat from Pick 'n Pay - it gives the food a nice colourful twist!
• 100g Maximize Cereal
This can be found in in most cereal isles at your local Pick 'n Pay/Checkers/etc branch.
Find a dry dog food (pellet form) which has no more than 18% protein in it. Add a handful of dog pellets to the mix described below.
How to roast your own beans:
Rinse 2 handfuls, then soak for 8 hours, drain and place onto baking tray. Place in preheated oven at 180 degrees Celcius and bake for 15 min. Toss beans, then bake for 5 minute increments until golden brown (it’s easy to char them, so keep an eye out!). Leave to cool, then store in an airtight container close to your rats home.
Design