What do rats eat domestic and wild? What can and should be done, and what can not be eaten by rats?

According to the latest data of zoologists, rats are inferior in number to insects. And some scientists believe that there are even more rodents. Their number is growing steadily, regardless of the welfare of the country, which they have chosen for living. In the same Moscow, according to the most approximate calculations, for every citizen, including guest workers, there are forty rats. The vitality of the latter is explained by their omnivorousness (what the rats eat - we will discuss it later) and the rate of reproduction. But no less important factor is their adaptability, intelligence and intelligence. Due to these qualities, the rats were quite confidently included in the category of pets, showing sometimes enviable devotion to the owner and the ability to take into account his wishes. And now about everything in more detail and in order.

Features of rat diet

It is almost impossible to make a list of what rats eat, because they eat everything. The only exceptions are absolutely inedible things, although even wires and polyethylene can be chewed and partially swallowed. However, for all their indiscriminate nature, rats are treated fairly intelligently. In the wild they never overeat, so that they do not have obesity. If the rat was lucky enough to get a calorie slice, she eats less food. If what the rats eat is low-nutrient, the consumed volume, respectively, increases. With a lack of some minerals or vitamins in their body, these rodents are looking for products with an increased content of the necessary substance.

It should be noted that eating rats (domestic or wild - indifferent) is constant. If you forget to feed your pet for at least two days, he will die. Therefore, at will, animals are constantly in search of food, and, if possible, create reserves.

Tastes of wild rats

Despite all the illegibility of the beings we are considering, there are some foods that rats like more than others. So, if there is a choice between wheat and wholemeal flour, preference will be given to the latter. Although if the grain is thoroughly soaked or mixed with lean oil without a smell, attention will share equally between the two "dishes".

Sweet is what rats eat (both hand and free) with special pleasure. And it does not matter how nutritious the food will be, it is suitable and sweetened with saccharin. So in this case, it is not caloric value (and, accordingly, survival factor) that is important, namely taste sensations.

Noteworthy is the following fact: what a white rat eats, can be categorically rejected by its wild relatives. For example, it is accurately established that laboratory albinos prefer food with the addition of anise and butyric acid, whereas ordinary rats diligently avoid it. And if the guinea pigs feed only food with such supplements, and then offer a delicacy without them, they do not hesitate to change the imposed diet. Scientists believe that the attachment of white rats to these "flavors" is genetic, congenital.

How to Feed Your Pet

The diet of a hand-made animal must be calculated and diversified, because the rats are decorative all in a row, like their wild relatives, but they move less, so they can get obesity. And if they do not have enough of an element, they will not be able to find it on their own. At the pet stores are sold balanced feeds, in the development of which manufacturers took into account what the rats eat at home and what they need most. However, it is not necessary to limit oneself to such products only if you want to have a healthy animal in the house, and not to wear it regularly in a vet clinic. It is necessary to give the pet boiled meat, seafood and obtuhu. By the way, even feed for kittens. On a mandatory basis, the ration should include vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, turnips, cabbage), berries and fruits. Instead of multivitamins, you just need to regularly feed the domestic rat with greens - salad, dandelion and clover leaves, dill. Remember that the rats eat at will. Cereals, right! Grain can be given in normal form, but can be germinated. Especially in this respect, oat and wheat germs are useful - in winter they are a valuable source of vitamin E.

Therapeutic Products

No matter how you try to protect your pets, it may very well be that they will still get sick. In this case, we must pay more attention to what the rats eat: some products will help them overcome the disease. So, if your animal is already "aged", so that it does not suffer from arthritis, add a little garlic and ginger. As the prevention of all kinds of viral infections, you can give onions, prunes, cranberries, strawberries. If a pet wants antibiotics, before feeding drugs to him, feed the patient better with bananas, aubergines, raspberries, plums, all the same garlic and onions. It is possible to boil the animal with the decoction of Echinacea.

Vegetables-fruits and other products that are given little by little

Discussing that they eat rats (we talk only about pets), we should specify not only the quality of provisions, but also its quantity. So, you need to know what food can harm the pets if they get it regularly and in large doses. Among such products can be identified:

1. Pears. Strengthen, so do not give more than once every two weeks.
2. Grapes. Can "pull" for a fermentation.
3. Beet. Diarrhea is almost guaranteed, but if the first time was not observed - you can give, because it is useful. Just do not overdo it!
4. Eggs. Be sure to cook, it is better to buy quail and offer not more than once a week.
5. Sour cream. Only as a treat, little by little and with the same frequency.

Poisonous Grass

So, what the rats eat, we figured it out. But we must also have an idea of what is dangerous for them. Especially if your pet is able to move freely around the apartment, and you are a lover of a home garden. If potato, cherry, tobacco, euphorbia leaves can only be obtained from your hands (that is, you just have to check that the animal does not eat them), then he can gnaw the room flowers without your knowledge. The following house plants are poisonous to rats:

• Diffenbachia;
• Room feces;
• azalea;
• begonia;
• Ivy (of any variety);
• amaryllis;
• cyclamen.

The worst thing is that the rat can not be forbidden to eat flowers, well, or hide them so that it does not reach them. If you have such plants in your house, you have to keep the animal in a cage.

Prohibited

Some food is generally contraindicated by these animals, although not as dangerous as herbs. From the fact that you can not eat rats categorically, first of all you need to call cheese with mold. And anyway, any cheeses are fatty and salty, therefore lead to obesity of domestic animals. But "blue" and can even poison your pet.

Green bananas degrade the digestibility of starch. These fruits should be given only to rats.

Green parts of potatoes have in their composition solanine - a fairly strong poison for rats. In boiled form it is less dangerous, in raw it can be fatal.

Raw beans and peas are almost guaranteed to cause the animal to flatulence and, as a consequence, tympania.

Smoked meat, bacon (especially salted), fried meat, sausage - without all this your pet will cost unequivocally. The consequences of regular supplementation with such products can be very sad.

Chocolate, sweets, cakes and pastries should also be excluded from the ration of the rat. Want to treat her tasty - give a piece of fruit.

War of rats and mice

Many people who keep rodents home are interested in whether rats eat mice. In the wild, in the absence of other food, - undoubtedly. However, if there is a choice, the rat will eat a more interesting meal, although the mouse will kill - as a competitor. However, if there are rats on the territory, the mice themselves leave it and go to search for other housing.