Another newbie question about feeding

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Meghan - 21 Aug 2004 04:58 GMT

I know I have read that rats can't regurgitate, but do they have the ability
(like hamsters, chipmunks) to "store" food in their mouth and then eat it a
few minutes later?

I've noticed a few times that when I give Maggie peas, she'll grab at 3 or 4
and then run away and spit them out, chewing as she goes. She's done this
with Rice Krispies and she tried to do it tonight with fat-free plain
yogurt. Is she just REALLY hungry? Afraid to eat her treats around me? She
eats ravenously, even though she gets plenty of food.

It's not really a problem, I'm just curious.

Meghan

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J&S Bouchard - 21 Aug 2004 05:00 GMT

> I know I have read that rats can't regurgitate, but do they have the ability
> (like hamsters, chipmunks) to "store" food in their mouth and then eat it a
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Meghan

They don't really have the cheeks like the chipmunks do but they can stuff
their mouth with extras. :)
Maybe she knows whatever is hand fed is WAY yummier than her food in the
dish. lol

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Joanne
Mom to 12 rats
http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70

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Anti_Freak_Machine - 21 Aug 2004 09:34 GMT

> I know I have read that rats can't regurgitate, but do they have the ability
> (like hamsters, chipmunks) to "store" food in their mouth and then eat it a
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Meghan

The first thing I learned about rats is that they LOVE to
eat...especially treats. They will also eat when they aren't hungry
(which could lead to a weight issue if you aren't careful).
If you let your ratties out when you give them treats, if they run off
with what seems like a lot, you might want to do a quick search as they
tend to hide it for later.

Signature

Super Mike
"Mi asno querría un enano y un yate, por favor."
[My donkey would like a midget and a yacht, please.]

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Mariette - 21 Aug 2004 12:27 GMT

>I know I have read that rats can't regurgitate, but do they have the ability
>(like hamsters, chipmunks) to "store" food in their mouth and then eat it a
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
>Meghan

He-he. Sounds like an over-eager "stasher" to me. My
"Alpha-in-waiting" guy is the major stasher of our gang. I try to
portion out treats so that everybody gets their fair share, but it's
hard to keep ahead of him, since he'll grab something to stash and
then come back to get some more before eating his first bit.

Maybe she's doing the same, but can't hold off long enough to not eat
part the hoard of what's she grabbed up to stash?

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Mariette
<:3 )3~~ <:3 )3~~ <:3 )3~~
http://community.webshots.com/user/wabewawa
(wabewawa61-at-earthlink-dot-net)

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D - 25 Aug 2004 05:56 GMT

I've found that somthing they cant run away with, such as yoghurt or baby
food on your finger will encourage them to stay with you while they eat.

Builds up a bit of trust.

> >I know I have read that rats can't regurgitate, but do they have the ability
> >(like hamsters, chipmunks) to "store" food in their mouth and then eat it a
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> Maybe she's doing the same, but can't hold off long enough to not eat
> part the hoard of what's she grabbed up to stash?

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Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / August 2004

Another newbie question about feeding