Pet
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Feeding Rats and Mice

Mice and rats are inexpensive pets and easy to care for, but there are a few things to think about when considering how to feed them.

Good-quality food and fresh, clean water must be readily available at all times and is most easily made available and kept free from contamination by providing it in water bottles equipped with "sipper" tubes.

Both mice and rats tend to feed at night, though daytime feeding among both is quite common. Mice are voracious feeders and consume proportionately more food per day than rats. This is because of their smaller body size and relatively high metabolic rate. Rats tend to be more reserved in their feeding habits. In fact, rats show great caution and selectivity while eating and tend to avoid unfamiliar foods.

Mice

In the wild the mouse eats various vegetables. It isn't specialized in one sort of plants or seeds. Sometimes the mouse catches a warm or a small insect in order to fill its need for animal proteins.

A versatile hamster or mouse mix is suitable for a basic diet. Some seed mixes have been constructed to please the eye of the owner more than the stomach of the mouse. Therefore, it pays to take a close look on the contents of the seed mix and make sure it does not contain mainly colored corn flakes.

Always try and choose the healthiest and most versatile mix available. The main suppliers of complete mix suitable for mice in the UK are probably Burgess and Supreme.

Rats

Wild rats eat what they need to keep themselves healthy - it is one of the reasons they are so successful. Caged rats rely entirely on their owners to provide them with their correct dietary needs.

Rats are omnivores. They fare best on fresh wholesome foods According to the Fancy Rats community adult rats, other than those who are pregnant or lactating, require a diet with approximately 12%-15% protein, and low in fat, around 4-5%. Younger adult rats seem fairly tolerant of slightly higher levels of protein. Rats do not require high fibre diets to remain healthy.

The following foods can be used as treats/supplements to the regular diet of a rat: fruit (apples, cherries, grapes, banana etc.), vegetables (broccoli, potatoes, peas, carrot etc.), cooked liver, kidney, or other low-fat meat, cooked bones, cooked pulses (cooked Soya protein may reduce the risk of cancer), live yoghurt, sunflower seeds (an exceptional source of B vitamins), wholemeal pasta and bread, brown rice, unsweetened breakfast cereals, and the occasional capsule of cod-liver or garlic oil. Table scraps will be eaten with relish, but try to avoid feeding fatty or sugary scraps.

Always try and choose the healthiest and most versatile mix available. The main suppliers of complete mix suitable for rats in the UK are probably Burgess and Supreme.

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