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Forbidden Foods: What not to feed your rats
The following should never be given to rats: Never give:Why not? blue cheese contains toxic mold licorice contains a suspected neurotoxin raw dry beans or peanuts contain antinutrients, cause red blood cell clumping (note: the peanuts that you buy in stores are almost always roasted so are okay.... frozen beans from veggie mixes are okay because they've been pre-cooked) raw sweet potato contains cyanide-forming compounds raw red cabbage and brussel sprouts contain an antinutrient that destroys thiamin raw artichokes inhibit protein digestion green bananas inhibit starch digestion green potato skin and eyes contain solanine (toxin) wild insects could carry parasites rhubarb high levels of oxalates which bind up calcium raw bulk tofu can contain bacteria (packaged tofu is safe) Orange Juice contains d-limonene which can cause kidney cancer in male rats raw onion can lead to anemia and an upset stomach
Foods that should be fed with caution: If you want to let your rat try these, be careful: Why? carbonated drinks rats can't burp! chocolate It contains stimulants that can lead to heart failure or neurological poisoning in high quantities. A bit of chocolate is okay and can actually temporarily alleviate respiratory distress Peanut Butter This can cause choking in rats. If you want to give your rats some, mix it with jam or something liquid to make it less sticky. Avocados These are high in fat and are a good treat to feed rats that are in need of "beefing up" (make sure the fruit is ripe). However, the pit, rind, skin and leaves of avocados are toxic. The part of the fruit in contact with the pit has a higher concentration of toxins. dried corn It can have high levels of fungal contaminates which can lead to liver cancer. A little fresh corn is fine.
Other things to watch out for: Why? Mold This can be toxic. You wouldn't eat a moldy piece of food so of course you'd never give it to your rat. Remember grains can go moldy too. Chlorinated Tap Water Chlorine isn't good for us or our rats. Household Plants Here's a list of toxic plants: Plants that are poisonous to small pets. Be sure your poinsettia and holly are out of reach over the holidays. Note: in some cases, some parts of a particular plant are poisonous (eg. foliage) whereas other parts of the fruit are safe (eg. fruit).
I'll list the ones I know of: orange juice and orange rind (only harmful to males)
uncooked beans and legumes
green potatoes skin and "eyes"
uncooked sweet potatoes
dried corn can be (fungus can grow on it, also linked to cancer in extreme amounts)
apple seeds (contain cyanide)
avocado pit and skin, but they love and can have the "meat" of it
lactose containing foods should be given in moderation because rats are somewhat lactose intolerant
bulk tofu
blue cheese
artichokes
rhubarb
raw onion
raw red cabbage or brussel sprouts
Rats are not poisonous.
No. Wild rats can have diseases, but are not poisonous.
No
I believe wisdom was around before long before humanity, and probably started with rodents. Rats will not eat a poisonous food twice, for instance.
Normal food... But with poisonous chemicals in it.
No, they are not. The nuts that are called chestnuts are poisonous to horses and ponies though.
Food helps the rats survive.
beacause the rats stole the food
Rat food is for rats
You would go to the Pet store, possibly PetSmart and they have food for Rats.
Deforestation and destruction of habitats, Predation by introduced animals such as rats, stoats, weasels, cats and dogs, Pollution, Accidentally eating human food which can be poisonous or unhealthy to them.
Rats and mice have no control of their urinary tracts. Therefore they will wee/widdle at any time