What types of dog food can be fed?

[CoolioTiffany]

I've decided to get a trio of weaned rat pups to raise them as pets and breeders so I don't have to spend too much money each week to purchase rats for my snakes.

I've been told they are very friendly and not as smelly as mice can get. I have a 20 gallon long I can put them in, or a 10 gallon if the 20 gallon is too large for the trio of rat pups.

I was wondering what type of dog food is best to feed the rats, since I've read some dog foods aren't very good for them to chow on. If you breed/have rats, what do you feed them or what brands of dog food do you feed them?

[CoolioTiffany]

Anyone, no one?

[RichsBallPythons]

I suggest not using any of it as too much will casue problems in production. Dog foods are designed for dogs, as rats will survive off it but will not look taht healthy, as they end up with oily fur and at times lose fur form the amounts of protein and meat in dog food.

I suggest getting mazuri or kent. Kent is cheaper than most dog foods at 13$ for 50lbs

[CoolioTiffany]

Thanks, I just know a few people who use dog food so I was just curious. Do I put the food in a dish or something and the rats will go in and eat it? And can I find Mazuri or Kent at Petsmart? I have to go there tomorrow to get a couple bags of aspen bedding and crickets so I'm going to check out the food.

I suggest not using any of it as too much will casue problems in production. Dog foods are designed for dogs, as rats will survive off it but will not look taht healthy, as they end up with oily fur and at times lose fur form the amounts of protein and meat in dog food.

I suggest getting mazuri or kent. Kent is cheaper than most dog foods at 13$ for 50lbs

[RichsBallPythons]

Thanks, I just know a few people who use dog food so I was just curious. Do I put the food in a dish or something and the rats will go in and eat it? And can I find Mazuri or Kent at Petsmart? I have to go there tomorrow to get a couple bags of aspen bedding and crickets so I'm going to check out the food.

You wont find 50lbs bags at pet stores, you need to go to feed strores. And you will want to make a food hopper so they cant just grab the food and hide it. They waste way too much foot when left in a bowl.

Petco does have i think 2 lbs bag of Mazuri but its 9.99 compared to 23$ for 50lbs

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I would not recommend dog food alone, but you can mix dog food with lab block, make sure there is not too much protein and no red dyes.

[MarkS]

I've used dog food, mostly by itself, for over 5 years now with no problems with production. You have to read the labels. I use one that has an 18% protien level and lower in fat. I've found that the cheapest dog food you can find (something you probably wouldn't want to feed to an actual dog) works best for rats. I use 'sprout' brand dog food that I get at Mills Fleet Farm. I've heard that the doggy bag brand that you can find at Tractor Supply also works well.

[CoolioTiffany]

Thanks guys that really helps. Though, I'm kind of wondering how I can prevent the rodents from taking the food and hiding it around the enclosure. I'm going to use a 20 gallon long for my trio (the male will be in a 10 gallon when they are 4-5 weeks old) so I'm not sure how I can prevent them from taking food and hiding it.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

The most efficient way to feed rodents and avoid waste of food and money is to have a food hopper if you do not have a rack, here is a DIY on how to make one http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=70391

[steveboos]

Yeah honestly just find a feed store near you, the food will last you 2-3 months and you can just seal it up airtight and not have to buy food for a while. Plus you can usually get a 8 cubic foot bale of aspen for $25 which is pretty good.

I really would recommend getting something else for the rats to live in thats open air and not that closed off. But the best thing i can recommend if you keep them in that aquarium is that you change the bedding very frequently. If you let it go to long it will start to get real soaked and will be difficult to clean out of that silicone and the corners.

Yeah i would just make a food hopper like pointed out above and hang it over the side of the aquarium. That way no food is wasted and everyone is happy!