How often do I feed my rat (who can't eat by himself)?

[cyanAstrologist]

I recently discovered that one of my boys has a pituitary tumor, and he's at the point where he cannot eat on his own and needs me to hand-feed him regularly (as well as clean him, since he can't groom properly either). How many times a day should I feed him, and what should I feed him? He can't eat solids really, so I've been giving him apple sauce diluted with water to help him stay hydrated.

 

[lilspaz68]

your best bet is to switch to Ensure (calories and fluids all at once). Strawberry has always been my rats favourite over the years, with vanilla a far 2nd and chocolate waaaay down the list. If you can, try to feed him 3 times a day (if you work or are out most days) morning, just home and before bed. They can drink 12-20 mls of Ensure before not really wanting anymore.

 

[cyanAstrologist]

your best bet is to switch to Ensure (calories and fluids all at once). Strawberry has always been my rats favourite over the years, with vanilla a far 2nd and chocolate waaaay down the list. If you can, try to feed him 3 times a day (if you work or are out most days) morning, just home and before bed. They can drink 12-20 mls of Ensure before not really wanting anymore.

https://www.amazon.com/Ensure-Nutrition-Drink-Strawberry-bottles/dp/B000052XB2 this?

 

[lilspaz68]

Yep that's perfect. If you are in North America you can often buy them at grocery stores, Walmart or drug stores.