Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anyone know ??

Are their any OTHER concerns with dog food as rodent feed besides RED DYE ?

I’ve met lots of people who feed their rodents exclusively dog food, and the rodents, breed well and live long lives.

The question becomes if feeding them to reptiles long term presents health problems or risks.

I’ve exclusively mazurri for 10 plus years, but the price hikes are tempting me to go to a 25% mazzuri, 75% dog food mix.

Thanks,
Jeff

I feed mine straight dog food. Always have, always will. I always have large litters and the breeders seem to last a good long while.

As far as effects I've seen on the snakes, they eat very well and grow fast. I've never observed any problems do to feeder rodents.

I only feed my rodents Mazuri rodent chow. I generally have litters around 15-20 the pinks are smaller but way better for first time feedings. The females generally drop huge litters for just over a year the production starts dropping from there. Dog chow and Pedigree brands like that is like feeding your dog a candy bar imagine feeding it to your mice.

Tom

Appreciate everybody’s feedback

I’ve went back and forth on this philosophically for years.

On one hand, if you listen to the reps for the Harlan, mazzuri, Ziegler etc., or anyone affiliated with a zoo or lab. They insist it’s a no brainer.

On the other lots of people run rodent colonies and herp collections for decades on pig/dog feed and report no problems. They may also use a herp supplement added to the prey.

I wish their was research done on the blood work of older herps raised on both methods.