Main Diet

 

Your rats main diet, which should be about 80% of what they eat, should be a high quality block feed or Guaranteed Analysis Homemade Mix.  Pay attention to the ingredients and be sure to choose a protein level of 14-18% and 4-6% fat. If it's any less, they may be malnurished, and any more could cause health issues, obesity, and protein itch with males. Females can also develop tumors if they have too much fat or protein in their diet.

 

What we feed at our rattery:

 

 

 

ALternative Recommendations to my diet:

Oxbow Essentials Adult Rat Food

Below are the list of ingredients and guaranteed analysis in this formula:

Whole Brown Rice, Oat Groats, Wheat Bran, Wheat, Soybean Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Calcium Carbonate, Natural Flavor, Soybean Hulls, Brewer’s Dried Yeast, Flax Seed Meal, Monocalcium Phosphate, DL-Methionine, Canola Oil, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Wheat Germ Meal, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Salt, Inulin, Magnesium Oxide, Mixed Tocopherols (preservative), Choline Chloride, Sodium Bentonite, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, L-Ascorbyl-2-Monophosphate (Vitamin C), Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Biotin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Carbonate, Rosemary Extract

 

Crude Protein (min) 15.00% Crude Fat (min) 4.00% Crude Fiber (min) 2.00% Crude Fiber (max) 5.00% Moisture (max) 10.00% Calcium (min) 1.00% Calcium(max) 1.50% Phosphorous (min) 0.80% Vitamin A (minn) 8,000 IU/kg Vitamin D3 (min) 1,000 IU/kg Vitamin E (min) 125 IU/kg

 

*DO NOT use the Garden Select option, this is not a good option for rats

*They also have a "YOUNG RAT AND MOUSE" formula.  I do not recommend using it as the rats don't seem to like it.  It's very similar to the adult formula....just add in some extra protein, calcium, fats as babies are growing.

 

 

Kalmbach Rodent Diet

18% For Adults

23% For Growing Babies

(Similar Formulas, different Protein Content) 

 

23% Formula:

Grain Products, Plant Protein Products, Processed Grain ByProducts, Animal Protein Products, Soybean Oil, Calcium Carbonate, Cane Molasses, Salt, Flaxseed Meal, DLMethionine, Magnesium Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Potassium Chloride, Menadione
Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulfite (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Cobalt Glucoheptonate, Copper Sulfate, Cobalt Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate,
Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Sodium Selenite, Selenium Yeast, Diatomaceous Earth, Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate, Dried Kelp, Yucca schidigera Extract, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Bifidobacterium longum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Extract, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product,
Dried Bifidobacterium thermophilum Fermentation Product, Bifidobacterium bifidium Fermentation Product Dehydrated, Heat Stabilized Saccharomyces cervisiae, Yeast Culture, Dried Aspergillus niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus lichenformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus coagulans
Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus bifidobacterium thermphilum Fermentation Product, Bentonite, Yeast Extract, Carotene, Esters of L-Ascorbic Acid, Dried Propionic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Acetic Acid, and Sorbic Acid.

18% Formula:

Grain Products, Plant Protein Products, Processed Grain ByProducts, Animal Protein Products, Soybean Oil, Calcium Carbonate, Cane Molasses, Salt, Flaxseed Meal, DLMethionine, Magnesium Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Niacin,
Thiamine Mononitrate, Potassium Chloride, Menadione
Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulfite (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Cobalt Glucoheptonate, Copper Sulfate, Cobalt
Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Sodium Selenite, Selenium Yeast, Diatomaceous Earth, Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate, Dried Kelp, Yucca schidigera Extract, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Bifidobacterium longum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Extract, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus
Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium thermophilum Fermentation Product, Bifidobacterium bifidium Fermentation Product Dehydrated,
Heat Stabilized Saccharomyces cervisiae, Yeast Culture, Dried Aspergillus niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus lichenformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus bifidobacterium thermphilum Fermentation Product, Bentonite, Yeast Extract,
Carotene, Esters of L-Ascorbic Acid, Dried Propionic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Acetic Acid, and Sorbic Acid.

THE EXTRAS!

Most of our rats diet is the Mix mentioned above. But their diet consists of various other foods that can help boost overall health. I especially focus on feeding these extras to nursing mothers and growing babies (they can benefit from a little extra protein, calcium, some fat, Cooper, and other nutrients) I am not a diet specialist but this list is based off of my own research and recommendations from my favorite fellow breeders. This is a FORAGE MIX I make myself and feed as a TREAT only. You can also offer these foods as single, occasional treats.

Recommended Favorites in my Forage Mix:

 

Egg Noodles

Wacky Mac (Vegetable Noodles: Zucchini, Tomato, and spinach is my favorite. Try avoiding Beets)

Barilla Protein Elbow Noodles (Pea protein, Chickpea Protein, Barley Flour, Spelt Flour, Wheat durum)

Orzo Pasta

Long Grain Brown Rice

Rolled Oats

Millet

White Quinoa

Split Green Peas or Green Pea Flakes

Sunflower Seeds

Pumpkin Seeds

Raisins (Occassionall. Don't over feed)

Barley (Flaked is best)

Flaxseed

Sliced Almonds

Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

Oat Cereal (Organic, LOW SUGAR!)

Crispy Rice Cereal (Organic, LOW SUGAR!)

Dehydrated Seaweed Meal (calcium supplement I add to some mixes, great for babies and moms)

Dried Mealwomorms

"Crave" Salmon Dog food

 

Herbs:

Cinnamon - Helps blood circulation and libido, inhibits growth of bacteria and fungi, helps brain function.

Peppermint - Vitamin A and C! Aids and digestion

Dandelion - Vitamins A, C, K, D, and B

Dill - Inhibit growth of bacteria

Plantain - Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, helps with digestion and respiratory system

Hibiscus - antioxidant

Calendula - antioxidant, aids in digestion

Rosemary - stress reduction, anti-inflammatory, improved memory/focus, aids in digestion

Nutmeg - aids in digestion, reduce inflammation, antioxidants

Oregano - Inhibit growth of bacteria, viruses and fungi

Parsley - Great source of Vitamin C, iron, manganese, calcium, and potassium, along with supporting many other factors!

Thyme - immunity booster, soothes respiratory issues, can help fight bacteria and viruses, aids in digestion

Turmeric - known to help reduce chances of cancer, immunity booster, and anti inflammatory

Cardamon - Oral and respiratory health, immunity booster

Garlic Powder - Anti parasitic and detoxifying! Can also help support immune systems.

Basil - Anti Inflammatory, anti fungal, contains Vitamin C and K, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium