Domestic rats are not very picky at what they eat, once they've tried
the food out and a little time has gone by. They're omnivores, which means
if they can chew & swallow it, they'll usually eat it eventually.
They tend to shy away from new foods at first; this is part of their
evolution and how they stay away from rat poisons: they'll nibble just
a little, and see if they still feel ok a little while later.
If nothing happens, they'll consume more, then finally coming back to
finish up the rest.
The pet rat should be fed commerical rat food or lab blocks, supplemented
with fresh fruit & vegetables if you have them. In a pinch, kibble-style
dog food or even dry cat food can be fed for a short time.
For treats, rats generally like what YOU like: chocolate, garbage food,
hot dogs and cooked meat. Feed these items sparingly; and only as
occasional treats - you don't want a fat rat with a short lifespan!
Sunflower seeds are a good source of nutrition, but can be fattening.
Don't feed them as their regular diet; adding them now and again is OK
though.
Peanut butter is greedily consumed by many rats; but on occasion, some
rats tend to choke on it because it's so gooey & sticky. Always provide
plenty of water, and if a choking episode seems to occur after feeding
peanut butter (or in some cases, dry bread), don't give them that
anymore. Find another treat they like and won't gag on.
(A rat that chokes on bread can still have it if you moisten the bread with
water first, this eliminates the problem immediately.)
Sometimes, certain foods can cause an allergy in your rat, this is noted
by excessive sneezing and mucous around the eyes and/or nose.
Talk with your vet about how to selectively eliminate foods as the possible
source.
