feeding ratties green smoothies...

[recycling goddess]

this is actually for becky but anyone who knows the answer... feel free to chime in.

i've read a thread on a raw food forum where people are sharing small amounts of their green smoothies with their pet ratties.

these smoothies are usually made from a handful of spinach and then a mixture of fruit... usually banana and not usually any citrus fruit.

they are just giving them the dredges from their blender, not a major amount... and they are not having any adverse effects.

so... do you think it would be okay to let them have this cause to me, if the ratties aren't having any diarreah, then shouldn't it be okay?

[recycling goddess]

been looking around and can find where it says no lettuce or citrus... but nothing about any other veges (except that they are okay)

so i'm guessing this would be fine, in moderation.

Making your own mix is healthier for your rodents and cheaper for you to buy. If it has dried corn, alfalfa pieces, those colored pieces that have no nutritonal value and seeds, then that is not a good diet.

A good diet consists of:
-puffed wheat and rice
-cereals such as any of the Kashi brand
-cheerios
-tri-colored pasta
-old-fashioned oatmeal(rolled oats)
-dried split peas and lentils (many ratties will not eat these, if they don't - leave them out)
-dried fruit and nut mix from Walmart
-roasted in-shell peanuts(NO salt)
-A HIGH quality senior dog food that has a protein % of LESS than 20%. Nutro Natural Senior, or another good-quality senior dog food. NO Ol' Roy. Even dogs shouldn't have to eat that mess.
-box of Raisin Bran or similar
-Find a bag of black oil sunflower seeds that has some fruits and nuts with it (WalMart in the wild bird food section)

Mix it all together and feed in conjunction with the lab blocks. This will be a healthy diet. Feed them what you are eating such as cooked, meaty bones, hardboiled or scrambled eggs, etc. No citrus such as oranges, grapefruit, etc. It wreaks havoc with their kidneys and liver, especially male rats. You can feed all sorts of veggies except for lettuce (smelly, runny stool will result), onions and no avocado unless it's already made into guacamole.

That should about cover it. Any food mix you can buy at a pet store(unless it is Regal Rat) is, in fact, crap. You will not have healthy rats.

[littleindiangirl]

I would think it might soften some stool, but nutritionally it sounds pretty good. I don't see why not, (other than the possible stinky poo)

[recycling goddess]

thanks connie!

[SatanicIntention]

See, that would be something I would make FOR the rats and I might get a taste of it, LMAO. Mine all eat organic food and I get the store brand. Shows how high I am on the totem pole, huh?

Should be just fine!