Recipies

These are a collection of food and heath recipies which I have developed or have been given to me by other rat owners. I owe a special debt of grattitude to Belinda from the Ratz DUNZ rescue for providing me with many of these.

Note: This mix does not constitute a complete balanced diet. I use it as a breakfast mix for my rats, who also get Harlan Lab Blocks (specifically formulated pellets for rats) and fresh fruit and veges daily.

4 Weetbix, crumbled into large chunks.
1 C rolled oats.
1/2 C plain sunflower seeds (with shells).
1/2 C uncooked vege pasta (contains little nutritional value, but the rats enjoy chewing on it)
1 handful of pumpkin seeds
1 handful of crumbled banana chips
1/2 C low protein dog biscuits

To this base mix, I also add one or two of the following (which I alter each mix for variety):

1 handful Cheerios cereal or another sugary cereal such as honey puffs.
1 handful dried fruit such as papaya, pineapple, dates, cranberries or apple.
1 handful dried coconut flakes
1 handful choc drops (only occasionally as a treat!)
1 handful roasted cashew nuts/peanuts/pistacio nuts (make sure these are cooked, raw nuts are unhealthy for rats)
1 handful pine nuts

These added extras are high in protein or sugar, so are added as treats only, and make up a small part of the total mix.

If your rats are exhibiting respiratory problems, mix around 0.75 mL (~20 drops) of liquid echinacea/goldenseal into a mug. Add to this 1 teaspoon of honey, and mix with enough hot water to dissolve the honey. Pour this mixture into a 200mL rat drink bottle and top up with cold water. Put this in the rats cage, and continue to supply the mixture for 3 weeks. Echinacea seems to be more effective when not given continously, so after 3 weeks we advise that you stop giving it to your rats for a week before recommensing treatment.

If your rats do not currently have any respiratory problems, then giving them a echinacea mix is still encouraged, but use a lower dosage of around 0.2 - 0.3 mL.

This is a favorite recipie for both me and my rats! Vary the amount of potatoe in the recipie to cater for the number of people/rodents sharing dinner.

8 medium potatoes
2/3 C grated tasty cheese
1-2 t paprika
breadcrumbs
oil for frying

Peel and chop the potatoes for boiling. Cook for about 20 mins on stove or until potatoes are soft enough to mash. Drain thoroughly. Grate the cheese and mash into potatoe along with the paprika until a smooth mixture is formed without lumps. Set aside until cool.

Using your hands, form scoops of the potatoe mixture into round balls, then squash into thick patty shapes. Coat in breadcrumbs and fry until golden.

I find this meal is best served with warm baked beans and peas & corn. My rats then just get a mini-meal (though they just lick the sauce off the beans!) which they thoroughly enjoy.

This meal is a fun way to get rid of your scraps after enjoying a good meal yourself.

Plain pieces of weiner schnizel
Flour
1 egg
Milk
Breadcrumbs
Oil for frying

Take the pieces fo weiner schnizel and trim all the fat off, being generous with the meat left on the sides of the fat offcuts. On three seperate plates put the flour, beaten egg mixed with milk, and breadcrumbs. First coat the schnizel with the flour, then dip in the egg mixture and finally coat with breadcrumbs. When you have finished preparing the 'human' pieces, take the fatty offcuts and cut into small pieces. Coat in the same fashion as before. Fry the schnizel followed by the rat schnizel. Serve with mashed potatoe and peas.

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