When feeding your pet rat, you probably focus on feeding him a pelleted diet with special treats like fruits, vegetables, and seeds. That must mean that rats are herbivores, right?

Although rats eat a lot of vegetable matter, they aren’t strict herbivores. Instead, they are omnivores! That means they eat plants and animals. As a matter of fact, rats can’t survive on a diet of fruit and vegetables alone. They need plenty of protein in their diet!

In the wild, rats eat seeds and vegetables, but they also eat worms, insects, and eggs. There is plenty of protein in your pet’s pelleted diet, but you can try feeding your rat cooked meat as well. Try a piece of chicken or ham.

Want to make sure your pet eats a balanced diet? Schedule an appointment with your veterinary clinic San Jose, CA for advice on what to feed your rat.