What Foods Can Your Pet Rat Eat? 9 Foods That Make the Perfect Rat Snack

Rats like to have food around them all the time. However, that doesn’t mean that they need a constant supply of food to keep them going. They’ll take any extra food given to them during meals and store it for when they need a little rat snack later.

It’s a good idea to give your rats a rat-sized serving of vegetables a day. The rest of their snacks can come periodically throughout the week.

To keep your pet entertained, it’s also a good idea to feed your pet their rat snacks in a fun way. For example, when you clean out their cage, you can sneak in some pieces of rice cakes or dried mealworms around the enclosure for them to search out.

To learn more about the perfect treats and how often they should eat them, keep reading below.

1. Parsley

Rats love herbs. Parsley is a rather mild herb that’s easy to buy. It’s high in carbohydrates, so it’s not always good for rats that are a little on the heavy side already. This makes it a great option for rats having a hard time eating.

However, not all rats like this snack, as parsley can have a bitter flavor that some rodents don’t enjoy.

2. Thawed Peas

There’s a popular form of enrichment for rats called “pea fishing.” You just need a medium bowl roughly half-full of water at room temperature. Then, take stones or other objects and place them in a way that parts of the item stick out above the water’s surface place. Once you have those places as you like, throw in the peas.

Rats enjoy crawling along the stones and reaching for peas. It’s a great snack and provides a lot of enrichment.

3. Cucumbers

Technically, cucumbers are a fruit. However, they are low in sugar and full of vitamins and minerals. Leave the dark green skin for the most nutritional benefits.

Beware! Cucumbers are mostly water, so your rats will probably have to use the bathroom a little more than normal. Your rat may also not drink water for a bit longer than normal after eating watery fruits and vegetables. This is perfectly normal.

4. Mint

Have you heard the myth that mint keeps rats and mice away from your home? You may think that rats won’t eat mint and actively avoid it. However, most rats actually love mint.

It’s a strong smell, but many rats enjoy both the taste and smell. Some rats may even rub themselves with the scent still on their paws after eating or thread bits of the leaves and stems throughout their fur.

5. Baby Foods

Pureed foods in jars and bags are good for babies but also are a great treat for your rat. If you find plain vegetable ones, they can have some every day. Or, you can give them a little bit throughout the week of fruit and vegetable ones. Even the ones with chicken or turkey in them are perfect as they need the protein from lean meats.

And they’re not just healthy, most rats love the flavors. If you get the squeeze bottles, you can just give them a little bit at a time.

6. Apples

Apples are another great treat. They are a little high in sugar, so you don’t want to feed them to your rat every day, but a slice or two whenever you cut yourself an apple gives them something a little different to eat to break up the monotony of their day.

Just make sure you cut up enough for all of your rats. You don’t want one hogging it all.

7. Pears

Pears also have a fair amount of sugar. Just like with apples, just give your rats a little bit when you cut your own pear. All kinds of pears work. You can also leave the skin on because it’s full of nutrients.

Make sure you’re only giving your pet fresh pears. Canned pears are usually in syrup and extra-sweetened, which can make your pet sick.

8. Boiled Eggs

Scrambled, poached, and boiled eggs all work for rats, so long as they are unseasoned and cool when you give them to your pet. Boiled eggs are usually more recommended because they make a bit less of a mess. Leave the shell on and your pet has enrichment as well as your rat tries to break open the shell with their strong teeth.

It’s not recommended you give your rat raw eggs, as it can make them sick, much like it does people. While rats would eat raw eggs in the wild, it’s safer to cook them first for your pet rat as their stomachs are a little different than the stomach of wild rats.

9. Plain Popcorn

If you make your own popcorn at home or buy a lot of plain popcorn, you already have a treat around your house for your rat. Hand feed them a piece or two, or scatter a few popped kernels around their cage.

It’s important to make sure you aren’t just buying healthier popcorn, but popcorn without any additives. While coconut oil and lightly salted kernels may be better for us than movie theater popcorn, it’s still too much fat and sodium for a small rat.

What a Rat’s Main Diet Should Look Like

There are three things that all rats need in their diets. In the wild, rats eat a mix of plants and meats. This means that they will need the same from you to ensure that their nutrients are properly met.

The first thing that all rats need is rat nuggets. There are alternatives to this, such as making your own nuggets or just getting the right ingredients and making meals for your pet. However, they are easy to use. Also, with the proper rat nuggets, you ensure that your rat is getting their required nutrients at the right level every day.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are number two. Rats do best with more vegetables than fruits. Fruits are high in sugar, so they don’t need quite as many of those.

Finally, you need the occasional treat or a rat snack. This is usually something high in protein, like mealworms, eggs, lean meat like chicken, lentils, and beans. A fun, carbohydrate snack is also good on occasion.

Together, these three categories make up the ideal diet for your rat. Foods high in fat and sugar should be limited, but the rest is fine in regular amounts.

Summary of the Best Rat Snacks

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