getting rats to eat

[Paleosuchus]

The rats i purchased where feeding on this rainbow colored food at the pet store. I am offering them the Mazuri 6f rodent blocks but they barely touch them. Just a few nibbles here and there. Will they eventually switch over or do i need to go get there old food and mix it in? thanks for any help, jason

[mykee]

I would stay away from the old crap that they were eating completely. Rats will eat less Mazuri than the "other stuff" because it's more nutritious, hence the need to eat less. I wouldn't worry about it, they'll eat. I've never had a rat starve themselves.

[Linds]

The first ingredient in Mazuri is corn, which isn't very nutritious at all (hehehe gotta love food that goes in and out unchanged :p). While all block food typically lasts longer than other forms due to being compressed, I've also heard of some rats being picky towards it. I don't know how they remedied it, as I've never had problems with my rats feeding on it when I tried the stuff, or any other type of food. One thing however, if they do not like something, don't offer them another alternative that they DO like in order to help them switch over. They will just pick out what they like and leave what they don't. That can be a common problem (amongst others) with some of those mixed foods stores sell. Sorry I cannot be of more help.

[sapphire_moon]

while corn is bad for rats (because it can carry bad bacteria, and hard to digest), it is fine in the block form. Many people use lab blocks that have corn in it, and even feed corn (not bulk, dried, or uncooked) to their rats (though sparingly).

You may want to get a small bag of their old mix and slowly change it. While a rat may not STARVE itself, if not eating properly it is suceptible to becoming ill quicker/easier.

[havenbounce]

At the store I work at we feed ALL our rodents fresh fruits and veggies along with a species specialised seed and pellet mixture. They all eat the fresh stuff and it's so much better for them. Bigger and healther. Try giving them some sweet potato it's the most perfect food.
Ginnette

[sapphire_moon]

Do not feed rats UNCOOKED sweet potatoes, I can't remember what happens, but it is really bad for them. lol

[mykee]

Mazuri is 100 times better than the dog food bandwagon MANY members were on not 6 months ago.

[havenbounce]

Yes I did forget to add that the sweet potato should be baked.
Here's some other stuff that might be good for them:celery, prunes, parsley, banana,eggplant, raspberries,cranberries.
Ginnette

[sapphire_moon]

blueberriers are also VERY good for them, something about a blueberry a day...lol

[Paleosuchus]

LOL, well this switch i just made worked out great for some reason. Friend of mine had Harlan Teklad and his rats would barley touch it and as you know my rats would barley touch the Mazuri. Well we dropped each others lab blocks in the seperate cages and it seemed his liked my Mazuri and mine liked the Harlan so we switched. Now mine eat and eat, kind of wierd to me. Ever hear of this?
Thanks, jason

[sapphire_moon]

lol, yup, if you have them, you can also give them fresh crickets and meal worms as a TREAT.

[greenman1867]

What about dried fruit? You can get it for a pretty good $$$ at the bulk barn etc.

I was also wondering about those little yoghurt (sp??) drops. My wife has my breeders (her pets) addicted to them. They can hear the bag rattle across the house and practicaly knock their cages down to get them. Anyways, has anyone tried making them?

Shawn