Critters Library: Nutrition



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Feeding Rats, Mice, Hamsters and Gerbils

These rodents have similar dietary requirements. They all eat primarily plant material, but rats, mice and particularly hamsters are known to eat some meat products, and are considered omnivorous. The basic diet for this group should consist of a good-quality rodent chow or lab block. Rodent chows should have a minimum of 16-percent protein and between 4- and 5-percent fat. You can offer these dry foods in a bowl or hanging feeder to be consumed as needed. Purchase pelleted food in amounts that you will use within three months to prevent spoilage. Good-quality rodent chows are considered to be fairly complete diets for this group.

You can feed other foods in addition to the commercial pellets, but these should not constitute more than 10 percent of the total diet. Fruit and leafy greens can be offered. Remove any uneaten fresh foods within three to four hours to prevent spoilage. All of these species love grains, nuts and seeds, but you should offer these foods in small quantities because of their high fat content. If these treats are given free choice, the pet will eat them exclusively and develop nutritional disease, such as obesity. A few nuts or seeds given daily as a special treat is acceptable. Meat and cheese in small amounts may be offered to mice, rats and hamsters. These foods spoil rapidly and should be removed from the cage within one hour if not eaten.

Author(s): Susan A. Brown, D.V.M.

Critters Home Page: Critter Library: Nutrition

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