Feeding for Different Stages of Life
There are five main stages to a rats life. The rat has very different requirements from one to the next though the transition is very gradual. Theses are
- Nursing - Rat kittens from birth to weaning - this is a period of rapid growth where the kittens rely almost exclusively for there mums for all the nutrients they need. Feeding mum adequately is key. As they approach 2-4 weeks old they will begin to try offered food so offering good high protein and nutrient meals can be a big help
- Rapid Growth - From weaning (which is typically around 4-5 weeks for rats who are allowed to stay on mum for longer) the rat enter a phase where they are mostly reliant on foods other than mums milk. They need additional high protein meals and lots of extra vitamins and minerals to enable them to shoot up at a rapid pace. This phase tends to last until around 7-8 weeks, though in reality they can dip into growth spurts and these increased requirements for months afterwards.
- Kittenhood - this is from homing (7 weeks) until around 3-4 months. During this phase they tend to do well on a mainly adult diet but do still need regular protien. This is very much about getting the balancing act right. Feed too much and they will grow too fast and be prone to getting overweight, feed too little and there growth may be stunted or they may suffer from deficiencies. More information on what to feed can be found here.
- Adulthood - Once a rat has put on the majority of its length (usually by around 4-5 months) then it will start filling out and building muscle tone. This is more obvious in bucks than does, and should be equated with the rat getting fat. Adults may have growth spurts or need extra nutrients when they go through a moult but are otherwise fairly stable. The main challenge with adults is keeping them slim.
- Old age - As rats get older they may benefit from additional support nutritionally. This is because as they age various systems may start working less effectively so they may need more available calories, or special supplements etc. There is more information on how to go about this here.
Feeding to Support Illnesses in Old Age
Below is a list of some of the more common illnesses associated with old age, if you follow the link to the pages there is a little bit about how they work and their symptoms as well as some of the foods and changes to the diet that may help support rats with the conditions.
Note: Diet is in no way an alternative to veterinary treatment, if you think your rat is suffering from one of these conditions it is important to take them to the vets, altering their diet can help support veterinary treatment and extend quality of life significantly but it can’t replace the appropriate medicine.
Note: Diet is in no way an alternative to veterinary treatment, if you think your rat is suffering from one of these conditions it is important to take them to the vets, altering their diet can help support veterinary treatment and extend quality of life significantly but it can’t replace the appropriate medicine.
- Kidney Degeneration / Failure - characterised by a rat who is loosing weight / muscle tone (especially over hind end - may be linked with HLD symptoms too), thinning fur, urinating / drinking more often may also be present. A urine dipstick test will show elevated levels of protein.
- Hind Leg Degeneration (HLD) - characterised by a flat footed gait, or weakness in the hind legs, tail weakness / floppiness and loss of muscle tone over the hind end. This gradual process may see the rat virtually paralysed at its back end.
- Heart Failure - characterised by a rat who easily gets worn out, brief spells of activity followed by flopping down. May sleep with head hanging over ledges, may also show respiratory symptoms.
- Tumours (benign) - characterised by soft, generally slow growing lumps. The two most common are Mammary tumours; tend to be round and soft found in the armpits or around the groin and are more common in girls, and fatty lumps; are flatter and more irregular and can be found anywhere. Most lumps in rats are benign