Nutrition at Raining Rats Rattery
One of the questions I'm asked most often is, "What do you feed your rats?" The answer isn't a single food—it's a carefully developed feeding program that's been refined through more than two decades of research, experience, and raising healthy companion rats.
“Good nutrition isn't about finding one perfect food—it's about providing balance, variety, and consistency every single day.”
Raining Rats Rattery
The RRRA Feeding Program
Nutrition has always been one of the foundations of my breeding program. Over the years I've spent countless hours researching rat nutrition, learning from experienced breeders, and observing what consistently produces healthy, active, friendly, and long-lived rats.
My feeding program is based on the principles of the Shunamite Diet, a balanced approach that emphasizes variety and whole foods rather than relying on a single commercial food. Over time, I've adapted that foundation into a program that works well for my own colony while remaining true to the principles of balance and moderation.
Every day, my rats enjoy my homemade RRRA Daily Mix, unlimited access to quality laboratory blocks, fresh vegetables, sprouts and fodder when available, fresh filtered water, and other wholesome additions that provide both nutrition and enrichment.
I believe feeding should do more than satisfy hunger. Scatter feeding encourages natural foraging behaviors, fresh foods provide variety, and a balanced diet helps support healthy bodies and active minds.
Every breeder develops their own feeding program over time. This page simply shares the approach that has worked well for my colony and continues to evolve as I learn more each year.
RRRA Feeding Program at a Glance
A quick overview of the feeding routine used throughout my colony.
Daily Mix
Hand mixed RRRA Daily Mix provides variety and encourages natural foraging.
Lab Blocks
Kalmbach Laboratory Blocks remain available at all times as the nutritional foundation.
Fresh Foods
Fresh vegetables and healthy additions are offered daily for variety and enrichment.
Fresh Water
Clean, filtered water is available at all times and checked throughout the day.
Scatter Feeding
Food is scattered throughout the cage to encourage natural foraging and mental stimulation.
Balance
The goal is balance, moderation, and variety—not relying on a single food source.
The RRRA Daily Mix
The RRRA Daily Mix is the homemade food blend I prepare for my colony. Based on the principles of the Shunamite Diet, it combines a wide variety of grains, cereals, seeds, herbs, and other wholesome ingredients to encourage natural foraging while providing balanced nutrition.
Rather than relying on a single commercial food, the mix offers variety while working alongside Kalmbach Laboratory Blocks and fresh foods to create a complete daily feeding program.
Ingredients Include
- Whole Oats
- Barley
- Pasta
- Cheerios
- Bran Flakes
- Ryvita Crackers
- Soup Crackers
- High Quality Dog Food
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Flaxseed
- Herbs & Flowers
🌿 RRRA Golden Milk Blend
What is it?
A handcrafted powdered supplement designed to be mixed into warm water and served as a nutritious treat or added to RRRA Mush.
How is it made?
Each batch is hand blended in small batches using quality ingredients selected for companion rats.
Ingredients
Turmeric • Ginger • Baby Wheat Cereal • Baby Formula • Cracked Chia Seed • Raw Honey Granules • Goji Berry
Directions
Mix equal parts powder and warm water (1:1 ratio) until smooth. Serve fresh.
❤️ RRRA Senior Support Blend
What is it?
A handcrafted powdered supplement formulated for senior companion rats (18 months and older). It can be mixed into RRRA Mush, plain Greek yogurt, or other soft foods.
How is it used?
I typically add a small amount of coconut oil and CoQ10 before serving. I offer this blend 3 or more times per week for my senior rats and daily for rats needing additional nutritional support.
Ingredients
Power Mushroom Blend • Pau d'Arco • Milk Thistle • Grapefruit Seed • Glucosamine • Calcium • Turmeric • Garlic • Cinnamon • Green Mushroom Powder • Goji Berry • Raspberry • Soy Protein Powder • Rice Baby Cereal
Serving Tip
A little goes a long way. Mix with soft foods and serve fresh.
🥣 RRRA Mush
A warm, nutritious meal that's perfect for rats of all ages. Whether you're caring for growing babies, active adults, or cherished seniors, RRRA Mush is an easy way to provide extra hydration, variety, and wholesome nutrition.
What Is It?
RRRA Mush is a warm cereal-style food made from wholesome ingredients that can be served on its own or mixed with fresh foods and supplements. It's especially popular during cooler weather and with older rats that appreciate softer meals.
How I Serve It
Simply mix 1:2 hot water let sit until it reaches an oatmeal-like consistency and cools. Can be made in an instapot under rice setting or made on stovetop like you would rice.
What's Inside?
Every batch is hand mixed in small quantities using quality ingredients.
Ingredients: whole oats, rice, pasta, pea, lentils, couscous, coconut, chai Seeds, flaxseed, millet, green mush powder power mushrooms
RRRA Mush is one of my favorite foods to prepare. It's warm, easy to customize, and almost always greeted with excited little faces waiting at the front of the cage.
🏡 From My Rattery
My rats know exactly when breakfast is coming. If someone doesn't come running for food, I take a little extra time to watch them. A change in appetite is often one of the earliest signs that something isn't quite right.
🐭 Fun Fact
Rats often carry their favorite foods back to a safe place before eating. It's a natural behavior that helps them feel secure while enjoying a meal. My rats tend to LOVE to eat in the litter box.
💧 Water Bottle Check
Fresh water should always be available. I check every bottle each morning to make sure it's flowing properly before feeding my rats.
Wash water bottles regularly—especially the drinking spout. Over time, saliva, food particles, and mineral buildup can collect inside the tip, making it less sanitary and sometimes causing the bottle to drip or leak.
Jess's Tip: After refilling, tap the ball in the drinking spout to make sure water flows freely and the bottle isn't leaking before returning it to the cage.
Favorite Treats
- Fresh peas
- Sprouts & fodder
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Cooked egg
- Blueberries
- Watermelon
- Cooked pasta
💛 Golden Milk Time
If one of my rats seems a little off or simply needs some extra encouragement to eat, I often prepare a warm serving of RRRA Golden Milk. Most of my rats happily lick up every last drop.
🍌 Homemade Treat
Banana Oat Bites
- 1 ripe banana
- Rolled oats
- A spoonful of plain Greek yogurt
Mix together, spoon into small silicone molds or onto parchment paper, and freeze. Offer occasionally as a cool enrichment treat.
🥕 Rotate Their Veggies
Just like us, rats enjoy variety. Instead of serving the same vegetables every day, rotate different safe vegetables throughout the week to provide new flavors, textures, and enrichment.
🧊 Jess's Kitchen Tip
I like to prepare a full batch of RRRA Mush in my Instant Pot, then spoon the finished mush into silicone ice cube trays and freeze it.
Each cube is the perfect serving size for 1–2 rats. Simply thaw a cube on the counter or stir it into a small amount of warm water before serving.
Tip: Try to avoid microwaving or overheating the mush, as excessive heat may reduce the benefits of the herbs and mushrooms included in the blend.
🥣 Try This!
Hide peas, corn, or a few pieces of your RRRA Daily Mix inside a cardboard tube stuffed with shredded paper. It turns snack time into a fun foraging activity that keeps curious rats busy.
🌽 Fun Fact
Rats often sample just a tiny bite of a new food before deciding whether they like it. This natural behavior helps protect wild rats from eating something unsafe.