Question about lab blocks

[_BoidFinatic_]

I was wondering if feeding mice/rats on a 100% lab block diet is healthy and well balanced?

[xdeus]

It's supposed to be, although some people would disagree. I've been feeding primarily lab blocks to mine for about a year and all of them seem very healthy with average litter sizes around 15.

[frankykeno]

I think a pure lab block diet would be okay but there are a lot of difference in quality of lab blocks out there so if you go that way, I'd find a top quality block. I feed a dry homemade mix that includes lab block (as well as table scraps fed seperately).

[Ginevive]

I feed 100% Sun Seed lab blocks and have healthy, happy rats

[_BoidFinatic_]

So it wouldn't be necessary to mix lab blocks with small animal blend (grains, seeds, nuts, etc.) . I have been mixing the small animal blend with lab blocks as well as dry dog food and dog biscuits as treats. All of my breeder animals are healthy on this diet, i was just curious as to why the reptile stores i go to feed only lab blocks and why the full-line pet stores that i go to only feed the normal small animal blend.

[frankykeno]

Pet stores do things because it's cheap and easy on the staff. A lot of "small animal blends" are wasted by the rats. There's a great sticky on Becky's dry rat mix in the Feeder Forum if you're interested in checking it out.

[joepythons]

So it wouldn't be necessary to mix lab blocks with small animal blend (grains, seeds, nuts, etc.) . I have been mixing the small animal blend with lab blocks as well as dry dog food and dog biscuits as treats. All of my breeder animals are healthy on this diet, i was just curious as to why the reptile stores i go to feed only lab blocks and why the full-line pet stores that i go to only feed the normal small animal blend.

You might want to watch the amount of dog food you feed your rodents.It has a red dye number 3 in most dog foods that when the rodents are feed to the snakes it is lethal to the snakes over a time.I feed lab block to my mice and rats and have not complaints,neither does my snakes lol(healthy food).

[_BoidFinatic_]

Thanks everyone for the information. My question was answered

[gncz73]

i agree i feed lab blocks and anly lab blocks because of the dyes in other foods

[_BoidFinatic_]

So if rodents are fed only on a lab block diet, is it necessary to provide them fruits, veggies, and dog biscuits once in a while?