Can Rats Eat Celery?

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can rats eat celery

These tiny clever and incredible clean animals can eat almost everything you’re eating but in smaller quantities.

There are a few restrictions for your rat, as well as a few foods it needs to eat with caution. But now the question is: can rats eat celery or does it fit in the forbidden category?

Can Rats Eat Celery Or Not?

Yes, rats are allowed to eat celery, but only with caution. Many rat owners do not even feed their rats celery because of its poor nutritional value. Therefore, celery is not toxic for your pet but not as healthy as other veggies and fruits.

Celery is also rich in nitrates, a compound that when it’s combined with another substance known under the name of amines, becomes carcinogenic. Other foods high in nitrates are: eggplant, lettuce, beets, spinach, turnip greens, collards, radishes and cucumbers. Due to this compound, it is best to be cautious when feeding your rat these foods. It is best if you turn it into a more of an occasional treat than into something it consumes daily.

Rats are not very sensitive when it comes to food in general but before you decide to purchase a rat for yourself, make a list with the foods it can eat and those that are forbidden to it. At the same time, keep it away from any spoiled foods. Although, only some types of mold are dangerous for your rat, you can never know what the spoiled food contains. Remove all the leftovers from its cage and also block its access to your trash can.

What Foods Can Be Harmful For My Rat?

Fruits:

  • Green bananas – they inhibit the digestion of starch, upsetting your rat’s stomach
  • Apple seeds
  • Mango
  • Oranges and orange juice – bad for male rats, leading to kidney cancer.

Veggies:

  • Raw onion – can lead to an upset stomach and anemia
  • Raw sweet potato – fine after cooking it
  • Rhubarb
  • Raw brussel sprouts – again good after cooking
  • Raw red cabbage – good after you cook it
  • Raw artichokes

Others:

  • Cuddle bones
  • Raw bulk tofu
  • Wild insects
  • Licorice
  • Raw hide
  • Blue cheese – the mold is toxic

What Foods Are Good For My Rat?

Fruits:

  • Apricots
  • Raspberries
  • Blueberries
  • Plums
  • Bananas (not green bananas)
  • Peaches
  • Pomegranates
  • Papaya
  • Kiwi
  • Pears
  • Boysenberries

Veggies:

  • Carrots
  • Kale
  • Broccoli
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Cucumbers
  • Peppers (not the spicy kind)
  • Corn
  • Green beans (cook them before you feed them to your rat)
  • Pumpkin (seeds only under your observation)
  • Cauliflower
  • Cooked mushrooms (in moderation)
  • Butternut squash (cooked)

Others:

  • Crickets – high in protein
  • Popcorn – unbuttered and unsalted
  • Yogurt
  • Cheese
  • Chicken bones – not too greasy or fatty
  • Dog biscuits

Your rat cannot cough, burp or vomit, so be extra careful regarding the quantities. This is very important for your rat’s overall health. At the same time, make sure your rat does not eat fattening products. Some rats are inclined to obesity, which can lead to respiratory and movement problems. No one said you should keep your rat on a strict diet but more on a balanced diet. This way, you will prevent possible health issues.

If your rat is dealing with respiratory problems, take a chip of chocolate and give it to it. Studies have proven that chocolate has a substance which helps rats cope with respiratory issues and eventually get rid of them.

What More Can I Do To Ensure My Rat’s Health?

First of all, let your rat sleep as long as it wants. Rats are like small babies, they need their sleep. They are known to be very sensitive about their sleep time and pattern. Do not wake up your rat in the middle of the day just because you want to play with it. It will get stressed really easily and get tired faster. It will also not want to play or do anything in particular and you will end up forcing it. Although, rats are very curious, they are also very shy. They do not like when someone forces things on them which makes them hide in a corner. Let your rats decide whether they want to climb the cubes, the ropes or explore. You can stimulate them by placing bits of foods on the top of their climbing structures.

At the same time, as they are very clean animals, make sure you clean their cage as many times as possible to maintain the level of cleanliness they needs.

As you can see, what you are feeding your rats has a major impact on their life, as well as overall health. Make a list of foods that are good for them and keep it at hand.

References:

http://www.rattieratz.com/rat-care-information/safe-foods-for-rats-list/
http://animals.mom.me/safe-fruits-veggies-fancy-rats-2025.html
http://www.ratfanclub.org/diet.html
http://animals.mom.me/kind-fruits-vegetables-can-rats-eat-9965.html

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