I fed live for 7 months before I swithced to f/t. I'd keep feeding live but I had to switch because I'm moving and there is no where to purchase live rats where I am going. I'd breed my own but my landlord wouldn't allow it. Anyway, I only had a rat bite my BP once and it left a small puncture wound but disappeared after a shed or two. If you are to feed live, just keep an eye on whats going on after you put that rat/mouse in. As long as you do that and stop bites by inserting a pen or simply moving its head aside from the BP's body, you'll be fine. I enjoyed feeding live, it was more fun to watch. Feeding f/t is boring :/