There are many fantastic treats at your local pet store for your pet rat - vitamin rich corn puffs, honey granola sticks, peanut butter seed balls - but for the most part they are all very similar to the staple food you are providing for your pet. They are made of all the same main ingredients, but with extra sugar and fat added. The best treat you can give your pet is Variety. No, it's not a brand... just an idea! Unlike most people, most ratties seem to LOVE healthy treats of fresh fruit and veggies. Here, I hope to eventually have a full and comprehensive list of everything thats safe for your rattlings to eat. For now here's some of them:
Great foods with Known Health Benefits
red seedless grapes
red, green, or yellow apples w/ peel
bean sprouts
broccoli
celery
parsley
spinach
kale
tomatoes
sweet basil
spearmint leaves
peppermint leaves
potato and potato skins (cooked)
food grade bamboo
food grade seaweed
garlic (toast or crackers)
Health Beneficial Treats from Your Own Yard - just make sure they that they haven't been treated with any pesticides, poisons or fertilizers. Rinse well - as you'd do with any produce!
rose petals and rose hips
clover
shepard's purse
hibiscus flower petals
mustard plant flowers
dandelions (the ones that grow low to the ground, as opposed to on stalks)
Good foods with Probable Health Benefits
strawberries
green seedless grapes
blue berries
black berries
raspberries
green beans (frozen or fresh)
snap peas
cantalope
honeydew
nectarine
corn on the cob
carrots and carrot tops
alphalpha sprouts
water cress
collared greens
food grade mushrooms
romain lettuce
bananas
plantains
diced and pitted mango, guava, papaya, peaches, nectarines and cherries
squash
zuchini
pumpkin
raisins
figs
seedless watermelon
red bellpepper
yellow bellpepper
cabbage
cucumber
cauliflower
brussel sprouts
asparagus
japanese eggplant
lima beans
kidney, black, garbonzo and pinto beans - cooked or uncooked
rice - cooked or uncooked
Good in Limited Quantities
carob
raw pistachios, almonds, cashews, pine nuts and walnuts
raw pumpkin and sunflower seeds
roasted peanuts
apricots
avacado
dried sugar cane
Great Pet Store Treats
yogurt drops
yogurt dipped fruit
mineral chews
live pet grass
millet
Stay Away From:
canned fruits and veggies - even the 'light' stuff has more sugar and/or sodium than your ratty needs.
fried foods - they're not good for us or for them.
citrus - can sting their eyes
spicy foods - most likely your rat won't eat it anyways!
Chocolate - a Huge No-No that can kill your pet!
Please email me if you have any suggestions for adding to this list...