Inconceivable in the past, rats are now becoming increasingly popular as pets. Not surprising, as fancy rats are extremely clean and sociable, contrary to their reputation. However, looking after a rat in the appropriate way is more demanding than some might expect. In order to ensure species-appropriate care, it is very important to provide a high-quality and balanced diet. The animal’s enjoyment is not the only thing which plays a role. In particular, rats need high-quality food so that their health – and particularly that of their skin and fur – is maintained.
Even though fancy rats have a much more sensitive digestive system than their ancestors as a result of their domestication, they are also omnivores. Unlike many other small animals we keep as pets, therefore, rats need food which is not only based on plant ingredients, but which also contains animal proteins. Variety is the motto in the case of dietary composition – you will soon recognise which type of food your animal prefers.

Rats are constantly moving in their enclosures. It is, therefore, not surprising that these restless little animals primarily require energy – i.e. carbohydrates. For this reason, cereals should form the basis of the food. In the online Maxi Zoo shop, you can buy high-quality dry rat food which contains various types of cereals.
To make sure that your rat is not lacking in anything, dried fruit or vegetables, legumes, seeds and nuts as well as dried herbs and flowers are available as food. Also recommended are specially developed food mixes which combine several of these ingredients and make it much easier for you to mix the food properly as the animals’ owner. The animals also welcome special crunchy snacks which are enriched with dried fruits, vegetables or cereals. This is because rats love chewing on crispy food.
But rats do not just derive their energy from dry grain-based food; they also derive energy from hay. For this reason, your animal should always be kept supplied with large quantities of hay. Of course, you should always make sure that it always has enough fresh water available.

For a species-appropriate diet, you should not only feed your rats with high-quality dry food, but you should also feed them fresh vegetables, lettuce and fruit – every day. Dandelions are also very popular with rats. However, various types of vegetables such as aubergines, radish, rhubarb, beans and onions as well as tropical fruits such as mango or papaya, citrus fruits and berries with a high acid content are not suitable for rats. You should cut stone and seed types of fruit into small pieces beforehand and you should only serve cooked peas, broccoli, cauliflower and potatoes. Since rats – at least in small quantities – also require animal protein, you should give your little companions a boiled egg, a piece of tuna or even dried insects. You can also buy the latter from Maxi Zoo as rat food.