Do rats NEED lab blocks?

Question

cant I just make a mix of my own? Would they be healthy without lab blocks such as Harlan? What do you feed your rats? Best answer will be chosen and I like detailed answers thank you!!

Answer 1

my rats get mazuri and regal rat and the all been very healthy

Answer 2

YES, no matter what other foods you give them (and you should give them other stuff) they need to have the lab blocks as well, it has the nutrients they need, so whatever you add to their diet, make sure they still get the blocks.

Answer 3

No, they don't NEED lab blocks. There are a few homemade diets that are acceptable as well as one pet store diet that's actually better than Harlan Teklad lab blocks. Oxbow's Regal Rat is the ONLY pet store food I'd ever recommend and the ingredients are higher quality than that of Harlan Teklad lab blocks.

You should not attempt to make your own diet, there's a LOT that goes into making sure it is nutritionally complete.

You should choose a homemade diet (Suebee's or Debbie's), lab blocks (Harlan Teklad), or Oxbow's Regal Rat. Those are the only diets I'd ever recommend.

I have an excellent write up on rat diets here: http://www.petinfopackets.com/rats/ratfe...

Answer 4

My rats get a mix of:

- Mazuri lab blocks

- Regal Rat kibble

- Blue Buffalo senior dog food

They also get a daily ''snack'' of Total cereal, Kashi Go Lean cereal, uncooked oatmeal, melons, blueberries, peas & carrots.

You could make a homemade mix, but it's hard to be certain that the mix is providing all the necessary nutrients that your rat(s) need.

Personally, I just feel safer feeding a base diet of Regal Rat & Mazuri, and just adding my own mix for variety. I know they're getting everything they need, as well as foods they love to have. :)

Answer 5

Nothing is better than lab block for rats!

http://www.spoiledratten.com/medical.htm...