Foods to Avoid and Common Feeding Mistakes

Foods to avoid:

Blue cheese:
It is believed that the moulds used to manufacture blue cheese can be toxic to rats.

Corn
Only certain dried corn.
Fresh corn and corn sold for human consumption is safe to feed to rats
The reasoning is that corn may contain fungal contamination, which can cause cancer in rats.
It depends how the corn is processed and stored.
Flaked corn and corn that have been roasted are safer to feed than unprocessed corn.

Raw Sweet potato
May contain a trypsin inhibitor, thus reducing the ability to utilize protein (temporarily)

Cassava root/Tapioca
Contains a compound that converts to cyanide in the stomach.

Green Potato
Contains a toxic substance called solanine.
Solanine toxicity symptoms
Drowsiness, hallucinations, headaches, joint pain, shaking and stomach irritation
Do not feed potato flesh if the skin was green

Fruit pips and stones
Contains cyanide in small amounts.
While one apple pip will not kill your rats, it is always better to rather be safe than sorry with easily avoidable foods.

Avocado skin and pit
The pit and skin of avo is toxic to rats
Avocado pit contains a toxin named persin.
The flesh of an avocado is safe to eat and is a good source of healthy fat

Mango and Citrus (males only)
Mango flesh and citrus fruit skin’s oil contain d-limonene.
D-limonene can cause kidney cancer in male rats
Protein clumps accumulate in the renal tubules when a male specific urinary protein binds with d-limonene.
Since rats (especially males) can be prone to kidney problems, it is best to avoid feeding citrus and mango.
Make sure to check baby food ingredients as some use lemon concentrate.
Citrus can possibly be fed if peeled and washed, but it’s best to avoid altogether.

Raw dry beans and raw peanuts
They contain lectins (and other agents) which cause disruption of cell membranes and clumping of red blood cells.
Dry beans contain hemaglutin, a toxic antinutrient which destroys Vitamin A as well as the enzymes needed to digest protein and starches.
Beans need to be soaked and boiled before feeding, some beans can be sprouted.
Raw peanuts can be roasted or sprouted before feeding.

Raw artichokes
Inhibits protein digestion in rats

Raw brussels sprouts and raw red cabbage
Destroys thiamine

Spinach and beet tops
These are high in oxalates.
They can cause urinary tract issues and kidney and bladder stones
Blanche in boiling water before feeding

Sugary foods
Sugary foods should be avoided.
Sugar has many names and while some foods may seem sugar free, they are not.
Sugar is often called sucrose, corn syrup, molasses and many other names.
While fruits are healthy they should be limited as well, as some can still be high in sugar.
Avoid sugary foods that are made for human consumption.
Excess sugar can cause:
Hyperactivity
Obesity
Diabetes
Cancer (by increasing cancer cell multiplication, thus feeding cancer cells)
And other health issues

Xylitol
A sweetener found in many sugar free foods.
It is toxic to dogs, cats and other animals.

Licorice
Can possibly cause neurological poisoning

Excess fat
Fatty foods (especially junk foods) should be avoided and can cause oily fur, diarrhoea and fatty liver disease and interferes with nutrient absorption.

Carbonated beverages
Rats cannot burp.
Large quantities of gas can cause distention and discomfort.

Alcohol and caffeine
Alcohol depresses the organ system
Caffeine can lead to cardiac arrest/malfunction, fast and irregular heartbeat

Common feeding mistakes:
Overfeeding (aka feeding too much)
Feeding too many treats (even healthy treats in excess is not healthy)
Feeding food only from bowls, forage toys make eating more interesting and encourages rats to “work” for their food.
Feeding the wrong food
Feeding the same food every day, this can cause boredom and nutrient imbalances as some rats will only choose to eat the foods they like

Caution:
Sticky foods, such as peanut butter and some porridge can cause choking
Don’t ever feed your rats spoiled or old food
Some house plants are toxic to rats and other pets

Always feed a healthy balanced diet that includes a dry mix and fresh greens and vegetables. (link other videos)
This list is only a guideline, but accurate and true to the best of the SARBU’s knowledge. Not everything that can cause your rats to become ill is on this list, we learn daily.

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