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Rats are known for being little garbage disposals. There doesn’t seem to be much a rat won’t eat. We know that various fruits, vegetables, and greens are suitable for rats. What about spinach? It’s very popular in the human diet, but can rats eat it? Surprisingly, the answer is no.
Spinach is not toxic to rats, but they shouldn’t eat it because it contains a relatively high number of oxalic acids or oxalates. Oxalates may not harm your rat in small amounts, but they can be dangerous in large quantities.
Feeding a rat too much spinach can cause kidney stones, calcium deficiency, and other health issues. Though you could feed spinach to your rat in tiny amounts and sparingly without issue, it may be best to avoid it entirely.
Do Rats Enjoy Eating Spinach?
You probably enjoy eating spinach as much as the next human. However, it’s also possible that your rat may not be interested at all. This varies greatly depending on your rat’s preferences. They can eat plenty of healthy alternatives in place of spinach to get their needed vitamins and minerals.
Optimal Diet for Rats
Wild rats eat anything they can get their hands on, and so will your pet if given the chance. Rats are not concerned with whether food is good for them. If it tastes good, they’ll eat it. That’s one of several reasons wild rats have a shorter lifespan than their domesticated counterparts.
Pet rats have the luxury of human companions that feed them well-balanced and healthy diets. The ideal rat diet consists of pellets, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Only 10% to 20% of a rat’s diet is made of fruits and vegetables; the other 80% to 90% must be a high-quality pellet mix. You can provide occasional treats of meat, nuts, and seeds, but since they are all high in calories and fat, it’s best to do so sparingly.
Knowing that spinach can cause health issues, you’re probably wondering which vegetables and fruits are safe for rat consumption. We’ve compiled a list of the best fruits and vegetables for a rat’s diet:
Best Vegetables for Rats
- Asparagus
- Bell Peppers
- Bok Choy
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Corn
- Cucumber
- Eggplant
- Garlic
- Kale
- Mushrooms
- Okra
- Parsnip
- Peas
- Potatoes
- Pumpkin
- Radish
- Romaine Lettuce
- Turnip
- Zucchini
Best Fruits for Rats
- Banana
- Blackberries
- Blackcurrant
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cherries
- Coconut
- Cranberries
- Dates
- Dragon Fruit
- Elderberries
- Figs
- Grapes
- Kiwi
- Mango
- Mulberry
- Nectarines
- Olives
- Papaya
- Passion fruit
- Peaches
- Pears
- Pineapple
- Plums
- Pomegranate
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
Unsafe Foods for Rats
Knowing that spinach is best to avoid may leave you wondering what other foods you will need to avoid as a rat owner. Now that we know what is safe, we’ve put together a list of unsafe food items with a short description of the reasoning:
- Artichoke – Rats cannot eat raw artichoke because it can inhibit their protein digestion. Cooked artichoke does not have the same effect and can be served to rats in small amounts.
- Alfalfa – Rats cannot digest alfalfa. Alfalfa is cellulose, which is an indigestible fiber that can cause intestinal blockages.
- Beans (raw) – Rats should never consume raw beans because they contain an antinutrient that destroys their vitamin A and the enzymes needed to digest proteins and starches.
- Beets – Beets, like spinach, are high in oxalic acid and nitrates. They can cause kidney stones, calcium deficiency, and other health issues.
- Brussels Sprouts – Raw Brussels sprouts are toxic to rats and cause thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency.
- Red Cabbage – Like Brussels sprouts, red cabbage can also cause vitamin B1 deficiency. Green cabbage does not have this effect.
- Iceberg lettuce – Iceberg lettuce is not recommended for rats because it is almost entirely water. For the most nutritional value, rats should be fed romaine lettuce.
- Leeks – Leeks are difficult to chew and may be a choking hazard for rats. As members of the onion family, they can also cause an upset stomach.
- Onions – Raw onions can cause anemia and upset stomachs in rats. However, rats can eat cooked onions without problems.
- Rhubarb – Rhubarb is also very high in oxalates and should be avoided, like spinach.
- Swiss chard – Swiss chard is yet another food that is very high in oxalates and is best to avoid.
Conclusion
Rats may not be picky eaters, but they rely on their human companions to keep them on the straight and narrow regarding their diet. Spinach isn’t a suitable snack due to its high oxalic acid content, which can cause kidney stones, calcium deficiency, and other issues.
If a rat owner decides to feed spinach or other high-oxalate foods, it’s best to do it in moderation. Always consult a veterinarian before doing so. There are plenty of other fruits and vegetables that can be fed to a rat that will carry the same nutritional value and will not cause adverse effects.
