Can rats eat rhubarb?

No. Rhubarb is very high in oxalic acid, especially in the leaves. It binds calcium and can damage the kidneys. The RSPCA and PDSA both list rhubarb as harmful to rats.

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Serving

Never

How to prepare

Do not feed in any form

Benefits

None

The details

Don't feed it raw, cooked or baked into desserts, and keep rats away from rhubarb plants if they roam in the garden.

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.