CARE INFORMATION Myco in rats: Virtually all pet rats are infected with an organism called mycoplasma which inhabits their respiratory system. Many rats carry mycoplasma without appearing to suffer any illness, while others are not able to carry the infection unharmed. Myco flair ups can be completely prevented with proper diet. Diet rich in antioxidants will keep the immune sytem working. Rats are sensitive to cigarette smoke, perfumes and other chemicals in the air. Its important to keep these things away from your rats as they too can cause a flair up or URI. Diet, environment, and genetics all play a big role in how your rat’s health will be infected. I strongly recommend a 100% organic based diet. Pet store brand food is toxic to your rat and will not only cause myco flair ups but also massive tumor growth that will take the life of your pet. I make all my own dry mix with organic dog food, rolled oats, sunflower seed, flax seed, sugar free, multigrain dry cereals, and dried fruits such as goji berries (antioxidants). I also cook a moist whole grain food which consist of, quinoa, brown mixed rice, barley, buckwheat, and kanawi. I add vitamins, coconut or red palm oil and every so often echinacea. You can feed cooked beans, lentils, and peas as well in the same way. Fresh greens like kale need to be fed daily. No rat should be fed on just dry food. Bedding: What you use as bedding or substrate is also important. Never ever use cedar or pine. There are chemicals in the wood that are toxic to your rat. Corncob is not safe as some rays eat this and it’s not digestible. Yesterdays news, cat litter and carefresh, all produce a dust that causes allergies. I have found that lining my cages with baby blanket or felt to be the best, cheapest, and easiest. Keep a little box weighted down with rocks inside and they will use it so there’s no need to worry about excrement all over the material. Here is a list of fruits and veggies that are safe for your rats: Fruit: (organic) Apples Apricots Bananas -but not green bananas Blueberries -All around good for rats Grapes -purple grapes are believed to help prevent cancer Rasberries Blackberries Boysenberries Peaches -without the pit Cranberries (and cranberry juice) Plums -excluding the stone Pomegranates Pears Kiwi Papaya Coconut Mango Strawberries Fresh figs Vegetables: (organic) Broccoli Carrots Cucumbers (in moderation) Peas -Especially frozen for those hot summer days. Mixed organic greens-It is recommended to avoid iceberg lettuce as it has little nutritional value. Kale -this is one of the most nutritionally complete of all the greens. Green beans -fresh Green, red, or yellow peppers (not spicy!) Pumpkin -and the seeds (in moderation) Cauliflower Butternut Squash -cooked Cooked sweet potato (rats love these mashed with bananas. Cooked mushrooms -in moderation Spinach in moderation Broccoli Carrots Parsley Asparagus Miscellaneous/Treats Chicken bones -Make sure these aren’t too greasy or fatty Crickets or wax worms as treats Dog biscuits -for chewing Hard-boiled (whole, shell on) eggs -good for pregnant / nursing rats who need the extra protein/fat. However, these should not become a regular part of the diet but rather just a treat for regular rats. Yogurt drops -Rats love these Yogurt -a small amount of probiotic yogurt is good for gut flora especially during amtibiotic use. Cheese -small amount in moderation. What you should never feed your rats: Soy, or any soy product Corn Wheat- must be organic Green bananas Avocado Onions Soda, beer, or coffee-rats cannot belch or vomit. Fruit Apple seeds -Apple seeds contain a small amount of cyanide. Oranges -Orange juice -Contains d-limonene which can cause kidney cancer in male rats. Raw brussel sprouts -Fine after cooking, though . Green potato skin and eyes Raw artichokes -Inhibit protein digeestion. Rhubarb -High levels of oxalates which bind up calcium Miscellaneous: Blue cheese -Contains a toxic mold Cuddle Bones (for Birds) -The general consensus was that these have far too calcium to be healthy for your rats. Licorice -Contains a suspected neurotoxin Poppyseeds -toxic Raw bulk tofu *Raw* dry beans or peanuts -Peanuts Uncooked Beans Raw hide -Difficult to digest Sweet feed (For horses) Alfalfa dry hay Wild insects -carry parasites Sugar or anything sweet Dairy Meat Canned foods Processed junk food Chocolate
Posted on: Sun, 25 Aug 2013 06:15:06 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015