Why do people choose Harlan over Oxbow?

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Ya, they should be able to. I got a lot of dog toys through vet purchasing (mind you I used to work there but even if you don't. when you can get the stuff you just have to pay full price, which is what happened to me because one order came in three months after I stopped working there). If you want any other special foods ask them too.
 
The thing about mycotoxins is that it's actually in *all* cereals. So those that feed a grain mix are also feeding the same mycotoxins found in corn.
 
sausage4ever said:
I personally love Oxbow, since it has meat in it for my boys. And I have convinced the boys that it's the only food their getting so they better like it (it may sound means but if rats don't eat for a day or two they're aren't going to die and eventually they will eat whatever is available, that why mine love their Oxbow).

I 100% agree with that statement.
 
littledevils said:
My guys don't like Oxbow either and it kills me! I'd love to feed them Oxbow as the ingredients are a lot better for sure. I keep trying every few months and buy another bag but they just don't like it.

I also tried other lab blocks before but really.. the only ones the rats seem to enjoy and that are ok ingredients wise... is Harlan Teklad. I don't necessarily want to support Harlan because they supply lab animals and that sort of stuff but at this point, there is no good alternative that I'm personally happy with.

As a rescue where we supply the basic food to our fosters, Harlan is quite economical but having said that... we would come up with a way to raise money for the more expensive Oxbow... if only the rats ate it!

You do realize that animal testing is absolutely vital to many branches of research including genetics and cancer research. I know- I was involved in breast and prostate cancer research for 4 years. Without lab animals you're screwed. Don't believe the PETA BS- they're terrorists (read: they literally threaten violence to further political means) and they're liars.

People don't volunteer to be genetically engineered to produce very specific tumors for testing and experimental protocol design purposes. Rats and mice provide an incredible service to humanity in this respect and their treatment is controlled under the strictest circumstances in Canadian universities. You abuse your animals- the ethics committee shuts you down and you lose funding. No funding = no research = no papers written = academic death.

On another note: what do people think about using dog food as a supplemental food (noting that there are lots of low-fat dog foods of varying flavours) for picky eaters?
 
Some pet supply stores carry it, e.g. Global Pets. In Montreal an exotic vet clinic on Sherbrooke St West carries it.

Failing that, you can order it by mail through a web site. Try googling Oxbow to find it. I don't have it on the Favourites list for this computer or I'd include the link.
 
MarcusB said:
On another note: what do people think about using dog food as a supplemental food (noting that there are lots of low-fat dog foods of varying flavours) for picky eaters?

The problem with dog food is that it's for dogs. :cheeky: Is there really a dog food that is 14% protein and only 4% to 5% fat? Even if there was, it still does not contain the exact nutritional values specific to the rat. For example vitamin k is essential to rats.
 
jorats said:
MarcusB said:
On another note: what do people think about using dog food as a supplemental food (noting that there are lots of low-fat dog foods of varying flavours) for picky eaters?

The problem with dog food is that it's for dogs. :cheeky: Is there really a dog food that is 14% protein and only 4% to 5% fat? Even if there was, it still does not contain the exact nutritional values specific to the rat. For example vitamin k is essential to rats.

Gah- you're helping me and costing me money with every post! :laugh4: Damn it. At least my rats will be happier. :D
 
My rats will only eat Oxbow if there is no other option. But, in Fredericton choices are not the greatest as I can only get Oxbow or seed mixes.
 
*sighs* Mine just eat Oxbow... but it's beginning to take it's toll on my pocket book and I may have to change to HT. But I've never noticed them not liking it... Of course all of my guys are chubby and eat like pigs. *shrug*
 
jorats said:
Actually, I have... I prefer the Oxbow, it's got an apple taste. Ya, call me crazy. :stupid:
you're not crazy, i have too... just oxbow though... definite apple taste.

anyways i found some oxbow and the girls seem to really like it.. fingers crossed they keep liking it...
 
Mine seem to go through phases, they eat their Oxbow and then they stop, then they start again, then stop... silly rats.
I offer a mix of Oxbow and Harlan.
 
I haven't been able to get any HT for a while so I have been feeding mine the LW Hamster blocks and Oxbow mixed......I notice they leave a lot of the oxbow.....I have noticed they have all lost a bit of weight (which is probably not a bad thing :giggle: ) I do worry that they are not eating as much as they used to with the HT.
 
Mine loved their Extrusion/Nutriblocks. But again, rats won't starve themselves to death so I wouldn't be too concerned with the weight loss unless they were all over 2 years old.
Mine go nuts for the HT so I limit it to only 2 blocks each a day. If they are still hungry, they can eat the free fed Oxbow, which they do.
 
The only rat that I have difficulties with in eating the Oxbow is Harry. He has lost some weight because the booger doesn't want to eat and sometimes in concerns me....but believe me I am not about to let him starve! I am considering picking up a seed mix and giving them some of that as a treat once or twice a week, mainly for Harry so that I know he has a full tummy. He is a very picky rat, he doesn't like fruit, that included nanners!
 
Both are very well balanced and have excellent ingredients. I believe the Oxbow is a bit better. However, my rats will not touch the Oxbow...so I gave up trying. Some think the lab blocks are "gold bars" and stash them...but still won't eat them. But at least some will eat them too.
 
All of my 5 rats LOVE Oxbow!
I seriously have to re-fill the two bowls everyday or every second day (and they're big bowls). I used to pay $20.00 for a 3lb bag at my vet's, but now I go to Global Pet Foods and get the 3lb bag for $13.99. I go through about a bag and a half a month, so between 5 bubs (4 of which are boys) I don't think that's too bad.
It is expensive, but my rats are my children and I won't skimp on the quality of food they are fed just because I have to pay a little extra.
:thumbup:
 
Lolabelle, you must have some very healthy rats.
Oxbow is the only rat food that I'm aware of that is formulated for the "pet" rat. For health and longevity, not for skimping and making a profit for the big corporate world.
Harlan is formulated for "lab" rats, although, they do have a couple of formulas that is equally as excellent as Oxbow, in fact, the 2014 is exactly what I need for my rats to keep soy out of their diet.
 
My 3 boys do like the Harlan better, but they do eat the oxbow because we don't have any Harlan... Though I've never tasted the lab blocks, the oxbow Regal Rat kinda smells faintly like strawberries or another type of berry...
 
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