I have spent many hours searching books and the internet for safe foods to supplement my boys diet with. This page is the result of all those hours spent googling, searching and confirming.
Where possible I have included reasoning for and against different foods.
This is only a guide - a compilation of what owners, breeders, and experts have suggested - I am not a vet!
If you have any further information please let me know and I'll add it to this list.
| Safe Fruit And Vegetables | Notes |
| apples | My boys love apple! |
| banana | Some antibiotic properties |
| beans | Only cooked beans |
| beetroot | Feed in moderation due to high levels of nitrates |
| bok choy | |
| broccoli | The stalks are popular with my boys |
| carrot | This is one of my boys favourites! |
| celery | Helps prevent stroke Feed in moderation due to high levels of nitrates |
| clove | Good for arthritis |
| corn | Only feed dried corn in small amounts due to high levels of nitrates and amines which in combination are carcinogenic. Raw corn is safe to feed. |
| cucumber | Feed in moderation due to high levels of nitrates |
| cranberries craisins | Some anti-virus properties |
| dates | Good for arthritis Very high in sugar - feed in small amounts only |
| eggplant | Some antibiotic properties Feed in moderation due to high levels of nitrates |
| garlic | Some antibiotic properties Good for arthritis |
| ginger | Good for arthritis |
| grapes | Frozen grapes are a fantastic treat on a hot day! |
| kale | |
| lettuce | Feed in moderation due to high levels of nitrates high water content and few nutrients so feed in small amounts to avoid diarrhea |
| melon | |
| mustard | Some antibiotic properties |
| onion | Some antibiotic properties Some anti-virus properties |
| oranges | Helps prevent stroke Safe for males to have but only feed flesh, no skin Orange juice forbidden for male rats only, d-limonene in the skin oil, which gets into the orange juice during squeezing, can cause kidney damage and kidney cancer due to a protein that only male rats have in their kidneys. Pieces of the orange fruit are okay if you wash the orange-skin oil off of it after peeling it. |
| parsley | Helps prevent stroke |
| peas | Frozen peas are a welcome treat on a hot day! |
| plums | Some antibiotic properties Some anti-virus properties |
| prunes | Helps prevent stroke Some antibiotic properties Some anti-virus properties |
| raisin/sultanas | My boys don't like these, but other rats/mice may be a fan |
| raspberries | Some antibiotic properties |
| spinach | Feed in moderation due to high levels of nitrates |
| sprouts | |
| squash | |
| strawberries | Some anti-virus properties |
| sweet potato | |
| tomato | High acidity means these should be fed in small amount only |
| zuccini | This is another of my boys favourites!
|
| Other Safe Food | Notes |
| chocolate | Said to be a mild boncodialator, small amounts can help with respiratory illness in emergencies |
| couscous | A safe left over for rodents, plain with no/little salt is best |
| liver | |
| oysters | |
| pasta | Another good leftover for rodents |
| rice | Another good leftover for rodents |
| salmon | A healthy oily fish which will help keep the coat in good condition |
| sardines | A healthy oily fish which will help keep the coat in good condition |
| tea | Some antibiotic properties |
| tuna | A healthy oily fish which will help keep the coat in good condition |
| Do Not Feed | Notes |
| carbonated drinks | rats can not burp! |
| green bananas | inhibits starch-digesting enzymes |
| green potato skin and eyes | contain solanine, a toxin |
| orange juice | forbidden for male rats only, d-limonene in the skin oil, which gets into the orange juice during squeezing, can cause kidney damage and kidney cancer due to a protein that only male rats have in their kidneys. Pieces of the orange fruit are okay if you wash the orange-skin oil off it after peeling. |
| peanuts | contains antinutrients that destroy vitamin A and enzymes needed to digest protein and starches, and causes red blood cells to clump |
| raw dry beans | contains antinutrients that destroy vitamin A and enzymes needed to digest protein and starches, and causes red blood cells to clump |
| raw sweet potato | contains compounds that form cyanide in the stomach |
| wild insects | can carry internal parasites and diseases |