So you think Dog Food = Rat Block?

[aldebono]

I am rat sitting for a friend for a month while she is on vacation. She brought her rats to my house and they are in the same type rack mine are in. I have even purchased some rats from her.

The first thing I notice about her rats is that they look... horrible. They are greasy, they lack the shiny coat and bright eyes and ears, little body muscle. The very next thing I notice, and this was an extremely close second, they STINK! They smell like an old oily dog with a skin allergy plus the regular rat smell.

My rats look like Grand Prix show rats compared to hers, even my male Siamese who is a litter brother to hers. Mine looks like a Studly Manly Man! Hers just looks sad.

I will let everyone know about her production numbers later when more litters start popping out.

So you think that dog food is just as good as rat block? Are you wondering why your rats stink like a mangy mutt?

[Don]

I order rat block five bags at a time. Looked at hog feed and dog food, but always stick with the rat block because I keep reading things just like this. At $85 for 200 lbs, the reduced smell alone justifies the extra couple of dollars for me.

[Skittles1101]

I agree, I have some family in Florida and they feed their pet rat dog food. Poor thing looks horrible too. Dog food does NOT = lab block. Just because they are "just rats" doesn't mean they shouldn't be getting the food/nutrition they deserve.

[aldebono]

I order rat block five bags at a time. Looked at hog feed and dog food, but always stick with the rat block because I keep reading things just like this. At $85 for 200 lbs, the reduced smell alone justifies the extra couple of dollars for me.

Yep. I think I can buy a large bag of generic dog food for $18. Rat block costs me $23. It is definitely worth the extra little bit. My rats HATED the Doggy Bag.

On a similar, different note. I am sometimes shocked to see how people care for their animals. Makes me realize how good ALL of mine have it.

[Balls Out Morphs]

My feeders look way better than any pet rats I've ever seen. I feed only Native Earth Lab Block and I also mix up a variety of dried foods that I know they like and that are healthy for them. Any time I'm snacking in the snake room I generally share with them and they LOVE pizza night. I would never feed them cheap crappy dog food, I don't even feed that cheap crap chain grocery stores sell to my dog.

[Amon Ra Reptiles]

I agree dog food is definitely not the quality of rodent block. We feed kent but also offer sweet mix horse feed and hog feed as well. Occasionally my rats get a bag of doggy bag if I'm out of rodent block but it's kinda funny how they will only eat it when nothing else is there.

On a side note we feed grain free to our dogs and I have often wondered if this would be good for the rats but at 50.00 for 30lbs I'm not likely to try it out anytime soon. Lol

[aldebono]

Don't get me wrong, my rats also get dog food when I am out of rat block, and they get scraps from food we don't eat.

But just goes to show how gross (to me) it is long term.

[suzuki4life]

Zeigler rat block and their dog food ingredients are so close, it pretty much comes down to a difference in shape. So I feel this type of posting is very biased and unfair.

[aldebono]

She is using Publix Brand dog food. Sorry should have specified.

I was aiming this to the people who think they are going to save money with cheap generic dog food and have the same smell/quality of rats who are on fat formula.

I can't find their dog food, but I don't think I will be feeding my dog any rat comparative food either.

[VicShell]

I'm not sure whats in zieglers but Mazuri 6f makes a huge difference in their appearance compared to dog food i will never go back. Oh and larger litters for sure.