Feeding Rats Dog Food?

[klonedskillz]

i see alot of videos on youtube where people are feeding rats dog food, is that good for them?

[snakedork]

i made the mistake of feeding our breeders dog food for about a week. I had death, horrible looking breeders and the worst smell ever for there poop. I strongly suggest not feeding dog food.

[lord jackel]

It all depends on the dog food. Keeping in mind that rats don't eat meat for the most part....which is typically a prime ingredient in dog food. The more meat they get the stronger their smell usually is, high protein can cause skin issues...and certain dyes can kill them.

Usually the cheapest stuff you can find is the best stuff for rats (I would never feed it to my dogs though)

For years I used a product called Doggie Bag from Tractor Supply - has no meat all grain and bone meal based - good amount of vitamins and protein at 16% so was perfect for rats. I was buying 50lbs for $10

Basically you need to read the bag. Even better is to combine several products to make your own well balanced feed.

Hope this helps.

[Shadera]

I give Innova senior as a treat, my rats love it. It's quite a bit more expensive per pound than lab block, so I won't be giving a lot to them any time soon. I wouldn't do dog food as a base food though.

[klonedskillz]

thanks for all the info, I just seen it and thought i would ask i am courntly feeding Harlen to all my rats

[filly77]

hey im glad im not the only one whos used that doggy bag food for rats, mine did very well on it, ive been thinking about going back to it because I cant find anyone who can order me some good rat food cheap in bulk. buying it by the lb is so costly..

It all depends on the dog food. Keeping in mind that rats don't eat meat for the most part....which is typically a prime ingredient in dog food. The more meat they get the stronger their smell usually is, high protein can cause skin issues...and certain dyes can kill them.

Usually the cheapest stuff you can find is the best stuff for rats (I would never feed it to my dogs though)

For years I used a product called Doggie Bag from Tractor Supply - has no meat all grain and bone meal based - good amount of vitamins and protein at 16% so was perfect for rats. I was buying 50lbs for $10

Basically you need to read the bag. Even better is to combine several products to make your own well balanced feed.

Hope this helps.

[Jay_Bunny]

I use dog food as emergency food. If I run out of block and can't make it to the store to get a small bag or I'm waiting on my next order of Mazuri, I'll use dog food till I can get lab block. I did notice weight loss, oily fur, and bad smelling poop. I now make sure I have an emergency bag in the closet for when the big bag runs out.

[JenH]

I too use it in case of an emergency (around a week max) while I wait for my feed store to get my Mazuri block in. I fed proplan but just switched to Eagle Pack for my dogs. I haven't noticed a problem with either of those foods. And the rats like it much better than the mazuri block.....

I also treat with a nice sead mix (no alfalfa) from PetsMart....

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=2754661

[candyman88]

i wouldn't give rats dog food.i breed mice.we call him super balls lol and his lover bondy and we have an other 1 in a diffent tank his name bait

[Bruce Whitehead]

I give my rats a combination...

Rat Chow, dog food (low protien), pasta, and some dried breads... half Rat chow, the rest is a combo of the other products.

Bruce