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If you own a pet rat, you likely know that they can be quite greedy. Scavengers by nature, rats are constantly on the lookout for things to store. Anytime they spot food to snatch, they will either gobble it up or stash it away for later.
While these rodents can eat many different foods safely, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to provide them with an all-day buffet of anything and everything! So, what about a vegetable like celery? While rats can eat celery, it doesn’t have much nutritional value beyond hydration, and they may not even like it.
Celery Nutrition Facts
- Water: 38.2 grams (g)
- Calories: 5.6 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 1.19 g
- Fat:0.068 g
- Fiber:0.64 g
- Protein: 0.276 g
- Potassium: 104 milligrams (mg)
- Vitamin A (retinol): 108 micrograms (µg)
- Vitamin C: 1.24 mg
- Calcium: 16 mg
- Phosphorus: 9.6 mg
Source: USDA
Note that vitamin C isn’t essential for rats because they synthesize this within their body. Also, this information highlights that the overwhelming majority of a celery stalk is just water.
What Is Celery?
Celery is a stalk vegetable that is related to carrots and parsley. It’s incredibly fibrous and mostly composed of water. The entire plant is edible, from the leaves to the stalks, though most people cut off the tops before serving.
Like most veggies, celery is non-toxic to rats in any form. But some people think that its pungent taste and stringy texture mean it might not be a favorite item for them.
Do Rats Like Celery?
As a rat owner, you know that your pet can pick through various goodies, eating up all the things they love and leaving behind the rest. So, if you give your rats a medley of veggies, will they like any of them? Of course, this is a matter of preference and will vary from rat to rat.
But if you let your rat choose between celery and any other savory snack, anecdotal evidence suggests that this poor stalk veggie will probably sit around for a while. If you offer your rat celery and notice later that it’s still sitting in the cage, remember to remove it before it goes bad, as that can be a potential problem for rats.
Benefits of Celery for Rats
In moderation, celery can be beneficial for rats because it contains an array of vitamins and minerals and gives them a hydration boost. There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving your rats a nibble on occasion, and it won’t harm them in any way if it’s portioned appropriately.
Celery is also a non-fat snack. We all know that rats will scarf down calorie-filled treats and would pack on the pounds if we let them, but that is of no concern here. Celery equates to no weight gain.
Drawbacks of Celery for Rats
On the downside, celery lacks solid nutritional content for the long term. It doesn’t nourish the rat’s body, giving them few dietary benefits compared to their regular food. So, it’s crucial never to substitute a meal for celery. It can quickly lead to malnutrition.
Due to its higher water content, too much celery can also lead to diarrhea. This can pose sanitation issues, sickness, and general upset.
How Much Celery Can I Feed My Rat?
Rats can be bottomless pits, gorging on every morsel you give them. But just remember how tiny their bellies actually are. For a snack, just one small slice of celery will suffice—roughly the size that you would use in a stew.
Make sure you trim the pieces to remove the “threads” and any other potential choking hazards. Even though rats have sharp incisors and it’s rare for them to choke, they sometimes scarf down food, which is dangerous because they cannot vomit.
In addition to stripping the stalk, wash the vegetable thoroughly before serving. Any trace chemicals need to come off, as they can make your rats sick. Organic is always best, but you should always wash the celery, anyway.
It’s best to keep celery snacks limited to about once per week. Any more often than this, and you can run the risk of adverse side effects
Rats and Celery: Final Thoughts
So, now you know that while celery isn’t the best snack choice for your rats, it’s non-toxic. These rodents can have a small amount of celery occasionally, permitting that they even like it. Ultimately, your rat will be able to decide whether this veggie is a yay or nay.
Remember not to overdo it, though, even if your rat prefers the taste. Too much celery can quickly lead to malnutrition and diarrhea. Just wash this veggie thoroughly, peel it appropriately, and serve accordingly for your rat to enjoy.
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