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Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / December 2004Rats and gnawing on bones?
I had a left-over rib bone from dinner which had a bit of meat left on the bone, so I gave it to my ratties, thinking that they would gnaw off the remaining meat. Instead, they seemed much more interested in gnawing on the bone, itself. I wasn't sure if gnawing on the bone would be bad for them, so I took it away (well... after a bit of tug-of-war). Anyone know whether gnawing on a bone could be bad for ratties? - Hans >I had a left-over rib bone from dinner which had a bit of >meat left on [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Anyone know whether gnawing on a bone could be bad for > ratties? Quiet good for them actually. Wears the teeth appropriately and provides mental stimulation. Now that you've "won" the bone give it back, they'll love you more. So how many ratties? Boys? Girls? Mine all have a bit of turkey bone in their cages and while having gnawed the ends off are taking their time with the rest.  SignatureKeith Schiffner "I was just out walking my rat and seem to have got lost." J. Bond Dum vivimus, vivamus <:(3 )3~ <:(3 )3~ <:(3 )~ <:(3 )~ http://community.webshots.com/user/sciffners >I had a left-over rib bone from dinner which had a bit of meat left on > the bone, so I gave it to my ratties, thinking that they would gnaw off [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Anyone know whether gnawing on a bone could be bad for ratties? > - Hans Many people have different opinions on this one. Many say it's all good while others believe that like for dogs, all cooked bones are bad. As for me, I have been guilty of giving my ratties those yummy left over bones, but only on special occasion. I bring the rib bones home from Swiss Chalet... they think I have a dog... silly restaurant people... lol SignatureJoanne Mom to 10 rats http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 >>I had a left-over rib bone from dinner which had a bit of meat left on >> the bone, so I gave it to my ratties, thinking that they would gnaw off [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >only on special occasion. I bring the rib bones home from Swiss Chalet... >they think I have a dog... silly restaurant people... lol I think I've read that unlike dogs, there's not the danger of bones splintering (and thus being a choking hazard) with rats because of how small they are in comparison and the way their teeth work or such? I've given mine chicken bones on occasion, which they really do enjoy. SignatureMariette http://community.webshots.com/user/wabewawa (wabewawa61-at-earthlink-dot-net) >>>I had a left-over rib bone from dinner which had a bit of meat left on >>> the bone, so I gave it to my ratties, thinking that they would gnaw off [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > small they are in comparison and the way their teeth work or such? > I've given mine chicken bones on occasion, which they really do enjoy. That's exactly what's being debated, does it splinter or not? I just don't know... I go by experience mostly. I remember once my sister gave a chicken bone to her girls but didn't remove some of the white hard stuff on the end of bone...jeez, can't remember what it's called. But Prin choked on it. It was very scary and I stopped giving chicken bones to my rats... I know this situation probably wouldn't repeat itself but I'm just too paranoid.lol SignatureJoanne Mom to 10 rats http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 >>>>I had a left-over rib bone from dinner which had a bit of meat left on >>>> the bone, so I gave it to my ratties, thinking that they would gnaw off [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] >chicken bones to my rats... I know this situation probably wouldn't repeat >itself but I'm just too paranoid.lol Good point. I do remove the cartilage at the end, though, and that really skinny attached bone on a chicken leg (whatever that's called) in particular. So far so good. SignatureMariette http://community.webshots.com/user/wabewawa (wabewawa61-at-earthlink-dot-net) SNIP >>That's exactly what's being debated, does it splinter or >>not? I just don't [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >>wouldn't repeat >>itself but I'm just too paranoid.lol I would think that unless the rat is making a pig of it's self this shouldn't be a "real" problem. Think for a moment, haven't YOU ever bit off more than you could chew and choked on it? ;^) My bunch will get a chicken bone once in a great while...but they are still gnawing on the turkey bones from november so they haven't anything recently. The bones they chew on are just like what they would find if they were feral and rodents love to gnaw bone for a source of minerals. You can see the evidence of this just by going for a walk where deer live and looking at what the feral rodents do to dropped antlers and bones and such. > Good point. I do remove the cartilage at the end, though, > and that > really skinny attached bone on a chicken leg (whatever > that's called) > in particular. So far so good. That little skinny bone would be the equivalent of the Fibula...I forget if there is a special name for it in birds or not. SignatureNefarious Necrologist 42nd Degree Some people ride, some just like to show off their butt jewelry once in a while. Dum vivimus, vivamus <:(3 )3~ <:(3 )3~ <:(3 )~ <:(3 )~ >SNIP >> Good point. I do remove the cartilage at the end, though, >> and that [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >Fibula...I forget if there is a special name for it in birds >or not. I'm sure that you're absolutely right, that it's the fibula, and if I had stopped to think for a minute, I would have realized that (it's just so very much smaller than the tibia in comparison to ours that it kind of threw me for a bit there). SignatureMariette http://community.webshots.com/user/wabewawa (wabewawa61-at-earthlink-dot-net) Maybe it's because I'm a biologist, but whenever someone asks "should I give this to my rats"... I automatically think of what the rats body is *designed* to eat. It is not designed to eat meat, thus, no rat should need to gnaw on bones. Sure you can argue that gnawing on bones will help grind down their teeth, but there are many other things that can grind down their teeth that rats are meant to be chewing on. Not bones. The bone marrow and meat is very high in protein which rats just don't need. I'm a true believer that feeding too much protein and fat to our ratties contrubutes to those nasty tumours they always get. I keep mine on strict homeade diet (cereals, oats, dried fruit, etc, etc.) and fresh veggies and fruit. They never get meat or anything really high in fat. Rats love vegetables and many things fresh... seeing as how you have these things to please them, why feed bones and meat? And this all without mentioning that when certain meats such as ribs are charred over the barbeque, there are many known cancer causing agents within the charred meat. (i.e. heterocyclic amines and polyaromatic hydrocarbons). These things are created when fatty foods(especially meats) are grilled or BBQed. Would you want your rats eating these things??? Sorry to come across so strongly... I know we all love to spoil our pets... but please stick to what nature intended them to eat! Kelly >I had a left-over rib bone from dinner which had a bit of meat left on > the bone, so I gave it to my ratties, thinking that they would gnaw off [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Anyone know whether gnawing on a bone could be bad for ratties? > - Hans > Maybe it's because I'm a biologist, but whenever someone asks "should I > give this to my rats"... I automatically think of what the rats body is [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Kelly Just a side note, Kelly, I know many people feed a home made grain mix instead of rat blocks to their rats, I hope you also add the vitamin and mineral supplements that rats need. No cereal or dog food contain the proper amount of minerals and vitamins that a rat needs to live. I've done a lot of research on this and rats often need sometimes up to 290% more of certain minerals and vitamins than a human need or dogs. And you are right, low fat and low protein is ideal for rats. SignatureJoanne Mom to 10 rats http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 > Just a side note, Kelly, I know many people feed a home made grain mix > instead of rat blocks to their rats, I hope you also add the vitamin and [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > of certain minerals and vitamins than a human need or dogs. And you are > right, low fat and low protein is ideal for rats. Hey Joanne, You make a great point. I add Vector Cereal in for the vitamins and minerals to the mix. I also give them 4 lab blocks in addition to the mixed diet every evening. The blocks force them to gnaw and I figure if they're not getting something in the mix, then the lab blocks will supplement that. Kelly >> Just a side note, Kelly, I know many people feed a home made grain mix >> instead of rat blocks to their rats, I hope you also add the vitamin and [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Kelly That sounds good Kelly, the blocks will give them all the minerals and vitamins they need!! A lot of people don't seem to realize that rats need far more vitamins and minerals then we do... that's why it's important to add either a supplement or their rat blocks. SignatureJoanne Mom to 10 rats http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 >Maybe it's because I'm a biologist, but whenever someone asks "should I give >this to my rats"... I automatically think of what the rats body is [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > >Kelly Rats in the wild are omnivorous scavengers who will occasionally hunt smaller mammals, birds, and insects, so I don't think it is really detrimental for ours to occasionally (and I mean very occasionally here, so no issues with too much overall protein) to have some bones to gnaw on, as they really aren't something that nature definitely intended them _not_ to eat. http://www.curiosityrats.com/infotrue.html SignatureMariette http://community.webshots.com/user/wabewawa (wabewawa61-at-earthlink-dot-net) >>Maybe it's because I'm a biologist, but whenever someone asks "should I give >>this to my rats"... I automatically think of what the rats body is [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > >http://www.curiosityrats.com/infotrue.html And specifically from the above site: "Belief: Feeding meat will make rat vicious. Basis/Reality: WRONG. Meat products are a necessary part of a rats diet. Rats are omnivores. That doesn't mean they CAN eat both meat and vegetable products, it means they MUST eat a varied diet that contains both in order to be healthy. There is absolutely no evidence that a diet rich with meat makes rats or any other animal vicious. There is evidence to the contrary! If rats are denied meat products such as a kibble, rodent block, or a little egg or chicken in their diet, they will and have had to turn elsewhere for the nutrients they need. This may involve preying on mice (or trying their best to!) nearby or catching bugs--whatever it takes. The rare instances where rats have eaten the flesh of other rats or killed other animals often take place when the rats have an incomplete diet. (Especially in pet stores where they are fed only grains and kept in close proximity to other rodents they can hunt.) BTW, I have among the most gentle rats I've ever known, and they regularly get leftovers including bones and meat--in addition to their dry diet which includes kibble. Only a despirate or starving animal is a "vicious" animal... " ~~~~ Though I personally would amend the terms "meat" or "meat products" to "animal products" myself (i.e., eggs as a source of such also, for example). SignatureMariette (wabewawa61-at-earthlink-dot-net) >>>Maybe it's because I'm a biologist, but whenever someone asks "should I >>>give [quoted text clipped - 70 lines] > to "animal products" myself (i.e., eggs as a source of such also, for > example). I've had curiosityrat website bookmarked for some time now. But it's too bad they don't tell us how they get their information. In the end, curiosity rat website is a personal webpage with info without proof. I'm not saying Kelly's right or Mariette's wrong... I'm just saying, it would be nice to have the real source link from curiosityrats. Otherwise, I do like that website. SignatureJoanne Mom to 10 rats http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 >I've had curiosityrat website bookmarked for some time now. But it's too bad >they don't tell us how they get their information. >In the end, curiosity rat website is a personal webpage with info without >proof. I'm not saying Kelly's right or Mariette's wrong... I'm just saying, >it would be nice to have the real source link from curiosityrats. Otherwise, >I do like that website. I've e-mailed the webmistress of the site to see if she might have a bibliography or references for her info that she could supply. She does have a published book available (mostly the same info as on Curiosity Rats, apparently) and also states on her site that she is a Biology major at Marshall University in West Virginia, interested in pursuing veterinary medicine or field research biology as a career. http://www.cafeshops.com/curiousrat.9768932 SignatureMariette (wabewawa61-at-earthlink-dot-net) >>I've had curiosityrat website bookmarked for some time now. But it's too bad >>they don't tell us how they get their information. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > >http://www.cafeshops.com/curiousrat.9768932 Response to my e-mail to Vickie Boutwell (and a very good one it is, too, IMO), which she's given me permission to reproduce here: "Well, no, just my links page. Plus experience. That's pretty much it. Most of the stuff is experiece and my own conjecture (some is based on classes I've taken). Not any kind of expert things. (Much of the advice and books I've found have been way off, so I just wing it and see what works.) My real favorites are the ~"Rat Fan Club": http://www.ratfanclub.org/ ~"Introduction to the Rat Race": http://members.madasafish.com/~cj_whitehound/Rats_Nest/frame_Introduction.htm ~"Rat Health Care" by Debbie Duccomun (I am most skeptical about articles at Rat (show) Clubs, since they tend to be strongly opinionated and with "agendas." But I will still read the articles and decide on their validity in regards to pet rats.) Much of my genetic info came from Rodentfancy, but those articles all got deleted... So, I really can't cite them any more. My behavior stuff is inspired by "How to Speak Dog" (not any info from it since dogs are entirely different animals, but "inspired by it). It is 90% my own observation (I have had rats since I was three, and probably made every mistake a rat owner can make...) and 10% things I know about wild rats from Animal Planet, biology classes, books, etc. I also read forums a lot, even ones I don't post at, just to see what kinds of things other people experience in per ownership, breeding, etc. Anyway, I'm sorry I can't back up anything with "expert" sources. I have just been learning from mistakes and from "bad advice," (sometimes from "experts" likes vets, show people, scientists...) and my site is not really a "reference" as much as it is sharing my personal experiences/observations. (I never "pass on info" copied from anywhere. I'm a born skeptic, so I only make suggestions/recommendations I personally trust.) Anyway, longer answer than you wanted and without really saying much, I'm afraid. Definitely check out the links page, and besides that, I just want to remind you (and everyone else) not to just blindly take people's/books'/websites' advice even if it is "expert" or "experienced." (Yes, even vets, long time breeders, etc. can be wrong...) I talk too much... :-o Vickie Boutwell spark13@hotmail.com http://www.curiosityrats.com" >From: "Mariette" <wabewawa61@earthlink.net> >Reply-To: "Mariette" <wabewawa61@earthlink.net> [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] >Sincerely, >Mariette SignatureMariette (wabewawa61-at-earthlink-dot-net) >>>I've had curiosityrat website bookmarked for some time now. But it's too >>>bad [quoted text clipped - 91 lines] >>Sincerely, >>Mariette Thanks Mariette for that extra info. Unfortunately many people go by their experience and believe it to be right. I've recently did some research on rat nutrition and I've come up with what I shared with Kelly about the nutrition. Many people follow the homemade grain mix and no rat blocks and these mixes are absolutely not enough nutrition for our little guys. For example, most homemade diet don't have vitamin K and rats need vitamin K because this vitamin is responsible for creating blood clotting in their system. Even with dog food added, it's simply not enough. But talk to any rat lover and they'll say their grain mix is ok because they read it somewhere...most likely on rats rule. It's misinformation... that's why I'm now going with "expert" knowledge and also with my personal experience. Curiosity rats is a great site especially in all her personal experience but for other stuff... well, it's just not good enough for me. I really appreciate you contacting her about this... and she does seem like quite a caring person to have responded as she did. SignatureJoanne Mom to 10 rats http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 <snip> >Thanks Mariette for that extra info. Unfortunately many people go by their >experience and believe it to be right. [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] >I really appreciate you contacting her about this... and she does seem like >quite a caring person to have responded as she did. Well, at this point, I feel rather iconoclastic about the "experts" (as I've had some particularly bad recent experiences with some of the same, who have "doctorates" in the realm of animal care ... i.e., vets). I'm often more willing to go with the advice of those whom I feel are truly "caring" about trying to keep our loved ones (our little ratty ones, I mean) alive _for as long as possible_, as opposed to those who have found out some incidental evidence as a result of "experimenting" on them for other purposes. We, here, are at the vanguard of rat research, IMO. I had a science instructor in junior high whose main purpose seemed to be to instruct via the ways of death and destruction (we did an experiment where we supposedly tried to keep aquarium snails alive via different methods, such as giving them various nutrients or not, in test tubes to see if they would actually survive under different ridiculous conditions, and also bred maggots under her tutelage, ad nauseum ... well, like the saying goes, you can learn something from everybody, either how to be or how _not_ to be). My younger brother, on the other hand, had the science instructor in that school who was the total opposite, who had rats that mated and had rittens, which is how we got our first rats then, our three little girls. I myself want to be on the side of those who, by their own personal experience, even "anecdotal" as opposed to experimental results, etc., etc., are decidedly on the side of _life_. SignatureMariette http://community.webshots.com/user/wabewawa (wabewawa61-at-earthlink-dot-net)s SNIP > Rats in the wild are omnivorous scavengers who will > occasionally hunt [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > http://www.curiosityrats.com/infotrue.html THANKYOU Marietta! That was most helpful. So I guess I've been doing more than alright by my bunch...obtw my wife (biology/chem major) also says that technically we are just like rats...teeth of an herbivore and digestive tract of a carnivore(granted the rat digestive tract is biased towards veggies) SignatureNefarious Necrologist 42nd Degree Some people ride, some just like to show off their butt jewelry once in a while. Dum vivimus, vivamus <:(3 )3~ <:(3 )3~ <:(3 )~ <:(3 )~ > THANKYOU Marietta! That was most helpful. So I guess I've been doing more > than alright by my bunch...obtw my wife (biology/chem major) also says > that technically we are just like rats...teeth of an herbivore and > digestive tract of a carnivore(granted the rat digestive tract is biased > towards veggies) Look inside your rats mouth, not go to the mirror and look in your mouth. Hello???? We have omnivorous teeth. Rats have herbivorous teeth. Rats DO NOT have a digestive tract of a carnivore in any sense. They have a specialized part of the intestiinal tract called a caecum that is filled with bacteria who's job is to break down cellulose. This is characteristic of the Rodentia family and the purpose of breaking down plant material. If your wife thinks that we are just like rats and rats have the digestive tract of a carnivore (?!??!), she needs to go back to University. That's scary. Kelly >> THANKYOU Marietta! That was most helpful. So I guess I've been doing more >> than alright by my bunch...obtw my wife (biology/chem major) also says [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > >Kelly Kelly, you're obviously a very knowledgeable person, but I think your tone and attitude are unnecessary. We're a pretty smart group here and would be interested in "debating" this some more, no doubt, but I'm already put off by your whole attitude in general and so I myself won't be responding to your posts anymore. SignatureMariette http://community.webshots.com/user/wabewawa (wabewawa61-at-earthlink-dot-net) >>> THANKYOU Marietta! That was most helpful. So I guess >>> I've been doing more [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > so I myself > won't be responding to your posts anymore. Hmm, kinder words than I considered then deleted. Obviously she didn't read for content or pay attention to the last line, instead she merely went for what was easy to respond to. I'd like to see how she accounts for rat predation on mice, insects, voles, small birds etc. Rat teeth are VERY good at shredding live flesh, better than our own in my personal observation. Also humans still have the remains of our caecum...we call it an appendix. Vestigial yes, still there and still storing bacteria a resounding yes. I'd like to know where the idea that we are EXACTLY like rats came from? Where did I say that...hmm? Like any educated person would state I added a valid caveat to my statement allowing for the major differences. I'll trust SWBO'd on this subject as she dealt with rodentia all through college and had at least one independent study that showed quantifiable differences between male and female responses to anesthesia. Differences that point to male and female differences in uptake and metabolization of medications. A discovery that surprised her independent studies advisor (head of the biology dept at Simmons college) and his counterparts and friends at other schools. A paper that passed peer review by the biology dept...not other students. Just shows that most science STILL has a very chauvinistic attitude towards views that differ from there own. SignatureKeith Schiffner "I was just out walking my rat and seem to have got lost." J. Bond Dum vivimus, vivamus <:(3 )3~ <:(3 )3~ <:(3 )~ <:(3 )~ http://community.webshots.com/user/sciffners > Kelly, you're obviously a very knowledgeable person, but I think your > tone and attitude are unnecessary. We're a pretty smart group here > and would be interested in "debating" this some more, no doubt, but > I'm already put off by your whole attitude in general and so I myself > won't be responding to your posts anymore. I'm completely aware of the way I have come across, but seriously I have no patience for someone who says his wife is a biology major (of which I am one myself) and his wife says that a rat has the digestive tract of a carnivore and they are just like people. That is just completely false and if you're going to go shooting around facts that are completely ludicrous while waving around credentials, then some attitude is definitely warrented. You might also want to consider that words can be taken in many ways over the internet. Kelly >> Kelly, you're obviously a very knowledgeable person, but >> I think your [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > You might also want to consider that words can be taken in > many ways over the internet. Then maybe you ought to learn to read a whole post before replying...something we all could learn to do. SignatureKeith Schiffner "I was just out walking my rat and seem to have got lost." J. Bond Dum vivimus, vivamus <:(3 )3~ <:(3 )3~ <:(3 )~ <:(3 )~ http://community.webshots.com/user/sciffners >"I was just out walking my rat and seem to have got lost." BTW, too too funny (I see by googling that it's from "Diamonds Are Forever"). How in the heck did you ever find that? And any more good "ratty" quotes that you discovered in your internet (or otherwise) travels that you might want to entertain us with? :) SignatureMariette http://community.webshots.com/user/wabewawa (wabewawa61-at-earthlink-dot-net) #1 Sorry about adding that "A" at the end...if you can figure out the 'WHY' let me know. It's a bit disconcerting a mistake like that. >>"I was just out walking my rat and seem to have got lost." > > BTW, too too funny (I see by googling that it's from > "Diamonds Are > Forever"). How in the heck did you ever find that? Well...I could lie and say I've always used that line. Truth it thoug that my eldest and I were lounging about the house enjoying a James Bond marathon on Spike TV. Watch those throw in a little Mat Helm and "Our Man Flint" A great week IMO...really get an idea of the show that inspired Dr. Evil. ;^) >And any more good > "ratty" quotes that you discovered in your internet (or > otherwise) > travels that you might want to entertain us with? :) I wish, well there is a rather weak one to dredge up from an Indian Jones movie that I'll most likely mess up. "Rats! RATS!" "Relax it could be worse" "Oh yeah HOW?" "Could have been snakes" Just doesn't quiet work does it? Oh and just for the record, Sean Connery is the BEST Bond EVER! Well that chap from Oz was good but he only did "In her Majesty's Service" SignatureKeith Schiffner "I was just out walking my rat and seem to have got lost." J. Bond Dum vivimus, vivamus <:(3 )3~ <:(3 )3~ <:(3 )~ <:(3 )~ http://community.webshots.com/user/sciffners >#1 Sorry about adding that "A" at the end...if you can >figure out the 'WHY' let me know. It's a bit disconcerting a >mistake like that. Do you maybe speak Spanish or one of the other romance languages? I think that particular mistake with my name tends to be more common among people who do. Nothing to be disconcerted about, just an honest mistake that a lot of people make. I've had my name mangled in much worse ways over the years ... my "favorite" is Marionette. <aaargh!> >>>"I was just out walking my rat and seem to have got lost." >> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >IMO...really get an idea of the show that inspired Dr. Evil. >;^) Ah, you found it by pure serendipity. Cool. :) >>And any more good >> "ratty" quotes that you discovered in your internet (or [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >Just doesn't quiet work does it? Nope, the Bond one is much better. >Oh and just for the record, Sean Connery is the BEST Bond >EVER! Well that chap from Oz was good but he only did "In >her Majesty's Service" You mean Lazenby? He's got something of a reputation among many for being the worst, from just that one movie, but I only ever saw a part of it, so I can't really say. Do you know who they're talking about now to play the "young" James Bond? Orlando Bloom! (i.e., Legolas from LOTR). I don't know, _maybe_ it would work, but on first hearing, it sounds almost sacrilegous or something, lol. SignatureMariette (wabewawa61-at-earthlink-dot-net) >>#1 Sorry about adding that "A" at the end...if you can >>figure out the 'WHY' let me know. It's a bit disconcerting [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > worse ways over the years ... my "favorite" is Marionette. > <aaargh!> Not a bit...well okay I suppose I could order a cerveza or 12 and that's about it. Anyway you'd laugh if you knew how many ways people mess up my last name "skiffner" "schniffener" etc, etc ad naseum. It's got to the point that when some fool is wanting insult me by messing it up I don't get upset unless they don't come up with an original...usually I'm disappointed in their attempts. >>>>"I was just out walking my rat and seem to have got >>>>lost." [quoted text clipped - 50 lines] > on first hearing, it sounds almost sacrilegous or > something, lol. OH BULL PUCKY! He was excellent as he played the part the way Ian Fleming WROTE him...obviously the man had read the books. The best part is that you find out WHY Bond hated Bloufeldt<sic> poor s.o.b. made the mistake of shooting Bonds wife. SignatureKeith Schiffner "I was just out walking my rat and seem to have got lost." J. Bond Dum vivimus, vivamus <:(3 )3~ <:(3 )3~ <:(3 )~ <:(3 )~ http://community.webshots.com/user/sciffners >"Mariette" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message >> http://www.curiosityrats.com/infotrue.html > >THANKYOU Marietta! No offense intended by you, I know, but please, it's "Mariette" (I had a kindergarten teacher who called me "Marietta" all year, despite my obviously too weak protestations at the beginning of the year to call me by my given name, Mariette). Thanks. :) >That was most helpful. So I guess I've >been doing more than alright by my bunch...obtw my wife >(biology/chem major) also says that technically we are just >like rats...teeth of an herbivore and digestive tract of a >carnivore(granted the rat digestive tract is biased towards >veggies) SignatureMariette (wabewawa61-at-earthlink-dot-net) > Rats in the wild are omnivorous scavengers who will occasionally hunt > smaller mammals, birds, and insects, so I don't think it is really > detrimental for ours to occasionally (and I mean very occasionally > here, so no issues with too much overall protein) to have some bones > to gnaw on, as they really aren't something that nature definitely > intended them _not_ to eat. I'm not talking about occassionally giving your rat a crickit to hunt and enjoy. There's a big difference between a T-bone steak bone, ribs, chicken wings, etc. and what they may *occasionally*... keyword, occasionally eat in the wild. The meats that we cook, and the way we cook them, I would consider detrimental to a rats health (just as it has been proven detrimental to OUR OWN health). The bottom line is, a rat is a rodent. It has the digestive tract of a rodent, which is works optimally for a high fibre, roughage grain diet. It is not designed for meat. The fact that they may eat meat in the wild is reflective of the fact that they are opportunistic feeders. In other words, if the meat is there, they will eat it... but it is not ideal for their health. The point I'm trying to make here, is that we as rat owners have a choice of what we can feed our rats. Knowing that bones and our meats are unhealthy, why would one choose to give their rats this crap? They are just as happy getting veggies and fruits, which are much better for them and will prevent cancer in the long run, rather than increase the risk. Kelly |
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