How can I get one of my rats to lose weight?

Question

How can I get one of my rats to lose weight?

Answer 1

Been letting the little guy nibble on too many treats and table scraps?

Do you buy your rat real rat food? If not, go out and get some! And look at the label: A good rat food will have less than 5 percent fat, about 20 percent protein, about 7 percent crude fiber and no more than 12 percent moisture content.

Other good foods include rice, oats, high-quality whole wheat bread, or low-sugar, low-fat breakfast cereals such as Cheerios or bran flakes. Good sources of protein and fat include egg, fish, chicken, low-fat dog kibbles, nuts, seeds, and cheese. Vitamins and minerals can be supplied with vegetables and fruits.

Feed the ratty every day, with a small amount. If you just put in a huge bowl to supply him for a few days, the rat can overeat or start up a huge storage to pig out on later.

Avoid all sugary and fatty foods. Rats may love chocolate, candy, and fast food just as much as we humans do, but it is very bad for the little guy.

Don't put your rat on a crash diet - just decrease his normal daily supply slightly each day until he's fit again.

Now the next big step: exercise. Rats are very active creatures and they love to play. Is his cage big enough to run around in? Does he have cage-mates to play with? You should bring your rat out of his cage often and let him wander about - more often if he's in a cage by himself.

If the ratty continues to have weight problems regardless of what he's eating and how much exercise he gets, seek medical advice from a vet who specializes in small animals.