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Nataly

New Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2019
Messages
4
Location
Hollister California
How much Oxbow do I need to give per rat?
Up until a couple of weeks ago I had been feeding 3tbs of Kaytee fiesta mix per rat and it would last 2-3 days but ever since I transitioned to Oxbow it only lasts a day, maybe a day and a half. I still give 3tbs per rat and some veggies sprinkled in throughout the day.
No one has gained or lost any weight.
 
most people free feed their rats by keeping blocks available at all times, and also giving a variety of daily veg once or twice a day Please see the Reference Thread for links to diet, nutrition etc
 
I give my rats full bowls of food every night. They don't always eat it all (or store it) but I don't have overweight rats, so my rats can control themselves.

Veggies and treats come throughout the day.
 
My rats have a problem with storing it and then they never eat it again. I'm not made of money(or food lol) so when I clean the cage out it wastes a bunch of urine soaked food. Is there like a way you can train them not to do that. They by nature are VERY protective of their food, so when I give them food they go NUTS and act like tigers coming to the slaughter. Any ideas?
 
All rats will stash food …….. mine tend to stash it in hammocks and their houses so when I go to give them more blocks, I usually find the ones they have stashed and they are still ok for them to eat - ie not urine soaked, then the blocks can be returned to their dish

Maybe give them some in their dish several times a day and gradually learn approx. how much they need …… if not given enough food, they will be hungry and will likely develop negative behaviours, may fight over food and will learn to be afraid that they will not get enough food
 
I usually do the same as SQ said. Mine get food plus old food they didn't eat. However, if the old food still fills up their bowl, I don't give them anymore (unless they've only eaten one kind)
 
That's great advice. I will try that. Ones generally more greedy than the other so I geuss I will have to approximate the amounts. They are kinda greedy and will fight over existing food even if they're full and then just leave it to fight over again
Lol.
 
I kept my rats quite slim so I limited their food. Rats on average should have 55 g of food a day. You can measure out your oxbow and also be sure to give veggies as well.
 
I have found that when I ration their food they store it because I guess they worry about not having enough so I just always keep their bowl food and provide plenty of veggies and some fruit. So far I haven't had a problem with weight gain. They seem to be good at just eating when they're hungry and as long as what youre giving them is healthy it should be fine
 
I have found that when I ration their food they store it because I guess they worry about not having enough so I just always keep their bowl food and provide plenty of veggies and some fruit. So far I haven't had a problem with weight gain. They seem to be good at just eating when they're hungry and as long as what youre giving them is healthy it should be fine
Yup, my girls are especially bad at stashing, so they get daily rations. Most males don't unless they had a rough childhood with lots of siblings, lol
 
I have found that when I ration their food they store it because I guess they worry about not having enough so I just always keep their bowl food and provide plenty of veggies and some fruit. So far I haven't had a problem with weight gain. They seem to be good at just eating when they're hungry and as long as what youre giving them is healthy it should be fine
Btw, my favorite heartt rat ever was named.....
TESLA!!!!! Miss him so much.
IMG_20190216_140033~3.jpg
 
Btw, my favorite heartt rat ever was named.....
TESLA!!!!! Miss him so much.
View attachment 13247
That was his favorite position to lie in when on bed, even when i was lying in bed with him. He would go under the covers, turn around, and come back out just so his head was poking out. Lol, and if i had a little pillow there? You know he fluffed it up by pulling it with his feet sand teeth until it was perfect to his liking. RiP Tesla the Diplomat.
 
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