Can rats eat moldy or spoiled food?

No. Mold can produce toxins that harm the liver and kidneys. Throw away anything moldy or spoiled — never give it to rats.

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Serving

Never

How to prepare

Throw it away

Benefits

None

The details

Fresh food goes off quickly in a warm cage. Remove uneaten fresh food within a few hours. Rats like to carry food away and eat it elsewhere, so check their favorite corners and hideouts when you clean.

What to do if your rat ate it

Call a vet straight away — ideally one who treats exotic pets — and don't wait for symptoms. Rats can't vomit, and the RSPCA warns that even a small amount of something harmful can kill them. Tell the vet what your rat ate, roughly how much and when, and bring the packaging if there is one. Don't try home remedies or human medicines: the RSPCA warns these are very dangerous to rats.