Can rats eat onion or garlic?

No. Onion and garlic contain disulfides, which damage red blood cells and cause hemolytic anemia in rats. The RSPCA lists onion as harmful. Don't feed them in any form.

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Serving

Never

How to prepare

Do not feed in any form

Benefits

None

The details

This is the main reason sharing leftovers is risky: onion and garlic hide in sauces, soups, stock and seasoning. Only share plain food prepared without them.

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.