Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been switching my animals to organic after learning not only about BHA (and other such preservatives) but that regular animal food can contain trans-genetic grains that is disgustingly unhealthy.

I currently have them on a mix of Reggie Rat by Supreme and Forti Diet for Rat, Mouse and Hamster. I also try and provide fresh fruits and veggies (more of the latter, they get a tiny piece of apple every morning from my mom haha.)

I am adding Zoo Formula by Dynamite as a top dressing to their regular food, as was suggested by my rep from that company. I love the company, switched my horses and I over years ago.

But what about regular food? I want USDA certified organic. The only thing I have found thus far was a homemade recipe by the Rat Fan Club.

Also, is brocoli and cauliflower actually bad? I was on Oxbows website (I get rabbit food/hay from them) and read that it creates gas, and rats cant burp (but apparently fart?)

I am so confused.
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1 bearded dragon (m)
2 leopard geckos(f&m)
1 california tree frog(m)
1 california tarantula(?)
2 rosy boas (mid baja and mexican)(m&m)

2 hooded rats(f&m)

1 thoroughbred(m)
1 breeding stock paint(f)

1 fiance(that is just as crazy to support my animals!)

Rats can't burp and as far as I know they can fart. As for good natural organic foods, I tend to use quality lab rat blocks, Mazuri is a good brand. They have several different recipes including a maintenance diet which would be the best one to use in your case. I know they also have a formula for nursing/growing rats as well.

As lab blocks can be boring to eat after awhile I have often supplemented it with large parrot fruit/nut mixes. I find these are much better consumed by rats than most typical petstore sold diets (which often contain alot of pellets which my rats never seem to eat). For treats I use whole grain cereals like Cheerios instead of typical store bought rat treats. Box of Cheerios is far cheaper than little rat treats anyway, and the rats love them. (especially when half the treats I bought at pet stores, the rats didn't particularly care for anyway).
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PHLdyPayne