Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / February 2005

Milk doesn't harm young rats at all; cow's milk is much weaker than rat's
milk so cow's milk is a pretty mild food item for young rats. For adult
rats milk can add way too much fat & too much extra protein to their diet.
Small amounts or fat-free milk would still be okay, though only as much as
they will drink immediately due to rapid spoilage. Yogurt drops have
become a very common rodent pet-treat & the majority of rats love them;
they shouldn't be given so many as to much raise their total protein
intake.

For elderly rats off their feed I've found that a piece of bread soaked in
whole milk can awaken their apetite & help them hold their weight. But the
calcium in milk has the ability to absorb & neutralize medications, so
rats on antibiotics should not have much if any milk.

Some people seem to believe that milk can worsen lung infections by
increasing mucus production. Though people will swear on a stack of
tiresome testimonies this is true, in reality milk does NOT increase mucus
production, sot his is a false worry for rats as well as for people.
ndividuals convinced it's the milk that gives them extra phlegm more
likely have seasonal allergies. However, rats like people CAN have milk
allergies, though that would be associated with gastric distress, not
mucus production.

-paghat the ratgirl

I think I saw the same movie! Isn't that temple awesome!?

RAT

I've seen that too - the sight of thousands of rats scampering about in the
Indian temple whilst the people just get on with things, unfazed by their
presence, is amazing.  Can you just imagine that happening in the West!!?

Tracey