Can Rats Eat Acorns?

Oak trees are not commonly found in most places. Acorns are needed to plant an oak tree in your garden. 

If you have an oak tree within your surrounding area, you might be wondering if you can serve acorns for the rats as a treat. 

In this blog post, you are going to discover if it is safe to serve acorns for the rats. 

Rats can eat acorns. It is good to cook acorns very well before you can serve them for the ratties. The cooking process will get rid of the worms and reduce the toxic substance in the acorns to make it safe for the rats. 

Are acorns safe for the rat?

Acorns are safe for the rat provided you cook them very well before you serve them. 

It should be known that acorns contain a toxic substance which is called Tannin. Tannin is capable of coming to me upset in both humans and pet rats.

Photo by Ylanite Koppens

This is the reason why you need to cook acorns to minimize the effects of the Tannin when the rats manage to eat them.

Therefore, it is not good to attempt to serve acorns straight from the tree for the rats as a treat, otherwise you are going to poison them in that way.

As a result of this, I think it is good to serve acorns for the pet rat once in a while. 

These are the things you need to know before you introduce any treat for the pet rat. 

It can be very risky to serve anything for the pet rats out of ignorance. the safety of your pet rats should be your top priority whenever you discover a new treat for them. 

While you are checking out for the nutrient of the new treat, it is important to also look out for any toxic substance that can be found in the treat as well.

You will know if it is good to serve the date for the pet rat or to discard them completely. 

How can I introduce acorns to the pet rats?

The best thing you can do is to mix acorns together with other treats for the pet rat. 

This will help to get them familiar with the acorns. Once the rats are accustomed to the taste of acorns when you serve with other treats, you can serve it directly for the rats. 

It is very important to always watch out for their reactions towards the acorns you serve the pet rat.

Can I serve acorns for the rat everyday?

The short answer to this question is no. Acorns is not one of the traits you can solve the pet rat everyday do you today Tannin which can be found in acorns. 

There is a possibility that the toxic substance will take a toll on the health of the rat if you serve acorns for them everyday. 

Can acorns make rat poop?

I will say this depends on the rats you are feeding with acorns and the immune system of the pet. 

There is a possibility that acorns will make some rat poop no matter how little they eat, especially the ones that have low resistance to toxic substances in any treat. 

Therefore, it is very important to serve acorns in moderation for pet rats. This will ensure that you are on the safer side when you are feeding them with acorns.

Can baby rats eat acorns?

It is not advisable to serve acorns for the baby rats. Baby ratties need feed that will help them to grow properly.

The feed you are going to serve the baby ratties should contain essential nutrients like protein carbs fiber calcium etc

They need all these nutrients so that they will grow faster and stay healthy.

Other treats you can serve the pet rat

These are some of other treats you can serve the pet rat, if it happens that they did not accept acorns you serve them.

Potatoes

Potatoes are one of the healthy treats you can serve the pet rat as a treat. Rats can eat mashed potatoes if you have them and really love it. Potatoes are a good source of fiber for the rats. 

Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the vegetables you can serve the pet rat. Broccoli provides the rats with vitamin C to boost the immune system. 

It is good to cook the broccoli before you serve it to a pet rat as a treat. You can serve broccoli with other vegetables for the rats. 

Carrots

You can serve carrots for the rat as a treat once in a while. Rats like to munch on carrots. Carrots are a good source of vitamins and minerals for the rats. Try to slice the carrot into pieces to make it easier for the rats to consume.

Sausage

Sausage is one of those snacks you can serve the pet rat as a treat. The rats are going to eat the sausage and the fillings in them. Rats usually fight over sausage whenever they have access to the snacks. 

Bread

Bread comes in handy whenever you are thinking of a treat you can serve the rats. Bread should be served in moderation for the right so that they will not choke it. It is easier for them to eat sliced bread.

Treats that are poisonous for rats

These are some of the treats you should not serve or allow your pet rats to eat because they can pose a danger to the health of the rats.

Citrus

Citrus should not be among the fruits you serve the pet rat. Citrus contains sometimes is that can cause damage to the body system of a male rat. 

Cardboard

Rats can be silly at times and they are going to eat anything that comes their way. 

Therefore, you should never allow the rats to eat cardboard or paper because they provide the rats with no nutritional value. 

Plastics

Rats like to try out most things that look edible. They can decide to have a taste of the plastic used to serve them treats. 

No matter what, you should never allow them to feed on the plastics. The same thing goes for styrofoam. 

Conclusion

Rats can eat acorns but you serve them the treat in moderation. Acorns should be served for the ratties once in a while.

Try to cook the acorns before you serve the fruits for the rats as a treat. You can serve acorns with other fruits for the rats. 

Reference

https://www.ratforum.com/threads/can-i-feed-acorns-to-my-rats.34914/