Dog Food For Rats?

[stangs13]

What does corn do to rats? Is it a filler? I know it will fatten them up, I just put some squirrel food in with there lab blocks, it has corn in it.

[littleindiangirl]

I'm a physiologist, which means I'm perfectly capable of understanding what I'm reading, and knowing what I know.
Those are my words, not a copy/paste as you insinuate.
If I had copy/pasted from an 'article' I'd cite the article. This stuff is common knowledge in relevant academic circles. Now having said all this, I'm a little weary of having to wade through your constant personal posturing in this thread, so this will be my last post in it. Good day.

If you can get away with not citing because its such "common knowledge in relevant academic circles" then I think your pestering for a citation from me is moot.

I see some very strong similarities between your "common knowledge" and this study, which has the rest of the story for anyone that wishes to read it.
http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/reprint/54/2/237.pdf

Experiments were designed to test the utilization of alfalfa
and three alfalfa fiber fractions -namely, extracted alfalfa,
holocellulose, and lignin -through the use of paired-feeding
techniques, nitrogen balances, and digestibility. Alfalfa lignin
was not utilized for weight gains or nitrogen retention but
was digested to a small extent only when fed in conjunction
with low-protein rations. Alfalfa holocellulose was not utilized
for weight gains or nitrogen retention when fed with a highprotein
ration but did support a small weight increase and
nitrogen retention when fed with a low-protein ration. From
8 to 14% of the holocellulose was apparently digested.
Alfalfa extracted with water and a benzene-alcohol mixture
was utilized to a very small extent as an energy source ; how
ever, its nitrogn was utilized. Approximately 12% of the
organic matter of the extracted alfalfa was apparently di
gested. In comparison, the soluble constituents of alfalfa
were important for weight gain and nitrogen retention. The
soluble constituents were from 69 to 75% digested.

[littleindiangirl]

What does corn do to rats? Is it a filler? I know it will fatten them up, I just put some squirrel food in with there lab blocks, it has corn in it.

Stangs, I'm not very sure on the corn rumor. I know many rat people avoid it because of the 'toxic mold' scare. I would imagine that is the main reason they dont like it.

[Ginevive]

I actually added in some cracked corn. I see them nibble on it. I really don't plan on adding more, as there are better things in there (Kashi, cheerios, puffed rice, other cereals, uncooked tricolor pasta.) I have decided to keep using the Mazuri blocks though. I also add in a bag of parrot food, with all of the fun dehydrated fruits, nuts, etc. that they like as well. I also add unsalted in-shell peanuts, pig feed (no antibiotics) rolled oats, a few small-sized horse treats (not alfalfa) and the high-quality dog food (brand differs.)

[Beardedragon]

Sorry to butt into everyones convo on corn, but can someone please provide the exact name of dog food they use for rats that have worked?

[Wh00h0069]

I buy my rat food from a feed store. There are quite a few feed stores around me that I can buy from. They just have to order it for me. Hope this helps.

[jonf]

same ? as Beardedragon...............anyone care to name some exact brands of dog food that they have used for multiple generations?

[Ginevive]

Science Diet senior. It is expensive, but along with the other things that I mix in, it gets "watered down" a bit. Just saying; I don't feed just dog food. But there are yummy, cheaper things in my mix suchas the unsalted nuts, cheerios, etc.

[munding]

im using Vitality value meal mixed with vitality classic. i think its ok cos i got my first litter this afternoon!

[Subzero]

You made an authoritative statement about an important product. You were asked to back it up with a reference. You responded with childish sarcasm and condescention along the path towards downgrading your statement from that of fact, to an idea. Thankyou for the clarification.

While I don't understand why a search for the truth would generate the childishness I've witnessed here, I will suggest that simply redressing your statement at the onset would have been a more prudent (and polite) choice for you.

omg shaddup already!