Best rat food
A pet rat does best on a food genuinely formulated for rats, such as Selective Rat, rather than a generic small-animal mix built with a different species' nutritional needs in mind. Rats are omnivorous and need a varied diet, so a good base mix works alongside fresh food rather than as the only thing in the bowl.
Why a rat-specific mix matters
Rats have different nutritional needs to rabbits, guinea pigs or hamsters, despite often being sold on the same shelf and sometimes in similar-looking bags. A proper rat mix, like Selective Rat, is formulated with a rat's specific protein and nutrient needs in mind, rather than being a generic small-animal blend repackaged under a different name.
As with a parrot seed mix, a rat fed a varied blend will sometimes pick out favourite pieces and leave the rest, ending up on a narrower diet than the bag suggests, which can quietly unbalance an otherwise well-designed mix over time. A pelleted or extruded rat food avoids this selective eating problem, since every piece contains the same balanced mix rather than a variety a rat can sort through, so what goes into the bowl is genuinely what ends up eaten.
What to add alongside the base food
Rats benefit from fresh vegetables and occasional fruit offered in small amounts alongside their main food, which adds variety and enrichment as well as nutrition and gives them something to forage for rather than simply eating from a bowl. A small amount of protein, such as a plain cooked egg or a small piece of cooked meat now and then, is also a normal part of many owners' feeding routines for rats, reflecting how genuinely omnivorous they are compared with a rabbit or a guinea pig.
Avoid anything high in sugar or salt, and steer clear of chocolate, caffeine and citrus fruit, which are not suitable for rats and can cause real harm even in small amounts. If you are ever unsure whether a specific food is safe, check a reliable small-animal care guide before offering it, since rats will often eat something readily whether or not it actually agrees with them.
What we stock
Our small-pet-food range includes Selective Rat as a dedicated rat mix, alongside hay, forage mixes and treats from the wider small-pet range that suit a varied diet. Fresh water should always be available alongside any dry food, changed daily.
If you keep more than one rat, make sure there is enough food available for all of them to eat without competition, since rats are social animals usually kept in groups rather than alone, and a dominant rat guarding a single bowl can leave a quieter cage-mate genuinely underfed without it ever being obvious at a glance.
Common questions
- Can rats eat the same food as hamsters or gerbils?
- It is better to use a food formulated specifically for rats, since nutritional needs differ between small rodent species even though the mixes can look similar. A dedicated rat mix such as Selective Rat is the more reliable choice.
- What fresh foods can I give my pet rat?
- Most vegetables and some fruits in small amounts make a good addition to a rat's diet, offered alongside their main food rather than instead of it. Avoid chocolate, caffeine, citrus fruit and anything high in sugar or salt.
- How much food does a pet rat need each day?
- This varies with the rat's size and the specific food, so following the guidance on the pack and adjusting based on your rat's weight and body condition is more reliable than a single fixed amount for every rat.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.