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THE RAT’S NATURAL DIET
In their
natural habitat rats are omnivores and eat a variety of foodstuffs. These include grain,
seeds, nuts and berries, eggs, unprotected offspring and edible garbage!
Special Needs of Rats
NEED |
DETAILS |
Nutritonal deficiencies |
Like gerbils rats seem to be resistant
to nutritional deficiencies, but that just might be because their nutritional requirements
have been well researched and manufacturers generally produce quality diets. |
Protein |
Rats have fairly high protein requirements, which are increased
during breeding. Unfortunately, feeding diets with high protein levels to rats during
maintenance can lead to problems. Excess protein can cause skin allergies and spots, but
can also predispose the rat to nephritis. Generally animals remove excess protein from the
body by degrading it, detoxifying the metabolites and then excreting them. Over time the
kidneys become damaged. Rats are omnivores and
therefore derive amino acids from meat that are otherwise lacking in vegetable material.
It is important to supplement the diet with meat in some form. |
Obesity |
There are risks behind feeding sunflower
seeds and peanuts to rats. Firstly their high fat levels make them extremely palatable,
and if given in any quantity may lead to obesity. Secondly they are high in protein which
can cause skin problems. |
Ca:P ratio |
Female rats appear to be susceptible to the formation of calcium
crystals within the kidney (nephrocalcinosis). This disease is associated with high levels
of dietary calcium and a Ca:P ratio of less than 1:1. NRC requirements for calcium and
phosphorus are 0.5% and 0.4% although levels in some diets can be 1% and 0.8% or more.
Dietary magnesium levels of 0.20 and 0.25% have been found to be protective, as is Vitamin
D, which can influence the uptake of calcium and phosphorus from the gut. |
Gnawing |
Incisor overgrowth is a common occurrence in
rats. Whilst some cases can be attributed to genetics, others can be associated with
inappropriate feeding. Either food that can be gnawed e.g. nuts, hard biscuits, or wood
must be provided to keep their continually growing teeth in trim. In restricted
conditions, with little stimulation in the cage, a gnawing block may alleviate boredom,
which ordinarily can lead to divisive behaviour such as self-mutilation, cannibalism and
infanticide. |
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