Do Rats Like Cheese? Everything a Pet Parent Should Know
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In pop culture, the answer to the question, “Do rats eat cheese?” seems obvious.
After all, countless cartoons and movies show rats scurrying off with wedges of cheese.
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, “rat cheese” is an informal term for cheddar. This term came about because domestic cheddar was inexpensive and was considered suitable only for rat traps.
But is there any truth to this? Do rats really like cheese?
Despite the popular portrayal of cheese as a favorite snack for rodents, the reality is more nuanced.
Understanding your rat’s actual dietary habits and preferences requires looking beyond the stereotypes.
Let’s explore the truth behind the myth and uncover why cheese might not be a rat’s favorite snack after all.
Do Rats Like Cheese?
Although each rat has individual preferences, the majority will eat cheese but don’t necessarily love the savory treat.
Rats do enjoy high-fat foods such as nuts and peanut butter.
Cheese is not bad for rats—but should be given in moderation. Cheese can be a great source of protein, fat, and calcium.
If given the option, rats often choose foods such as bananas, cookies, or standard rat pellets instead of cheese.
However, keep in mind that each rat has individual preferences.
Offer your rat healthy treat choices and see which they gravitate to and enjoy the most.
Is Cheese Bad for Rats?
Cheese is not bad for rats—but should be given in moderation. Cheese can be a great source of protein, fat, and calcium.
However, too much cheese can cause:
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An upset stomach
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Diarrhea
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Excess sodium consumption
If your rat enjoys cheese, it should be reserved as an occasional treat or for training.
If you offer cheese to your rat, offer only hard cheeses because they are easier for your rat to chew. Options include:
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Cheddar
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Gouda
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Asiago
Do not give your rat soft cheeses, such as:
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Brie
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Mozzarella
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Cream cheese
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Cottage cheese
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Queso
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Ricotta
Soft cheeses can get stuck in your rat’s teeth, contribute to plaque buildup, dental issues, and pose a choking hazard.
Blue cheese should never be fed to rats because it contains Penicillium mold.
Penicillium fosters mycotoxins, which is introduced to the milk or curds during the cheese-making process.
As the cheese ages, the mold grows throughout the cheese, creating blue-green veins.
The mold helps give blue cheese its distinctive flavor, aroma, and sharp, tangy taste.
While the level of mycotoxins in commercially available blue cheese is not harmful to humans, the toxins could potentially harm rats, especially when given over long periods of time.
The mycotoxins in blue cheese have the potential to cause these harmful symptoms in rats:
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Abdominal pain
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Bloody diarrhea
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Weight loss
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Anemia
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Liver and kidney degeneration
How To Safely Feed Cheese to Your Rat
If your rat loves being a “cheese rat” you can offer small amounts of hard cheese in moderation as a treat.
However, discuss your rat’s diet and nutrition with your veterinarian first, especially if your rat has any medical conditions.
Varying your rat’s treat options provides enrichment, novelty, and foraging options that can enhance their overall health and well-being.
Keep in mind that treats or other supplementary nutrition should make up only 10% to 20% of your rat’s diet, with 80% to 90% composed of species-appropriate rodent pellets or blocks.
Ideally, you should give your rat cheese only once per day and offer only one kind of cheese per day.
Some examples of hard to semi-hard cheeses you can offer include:
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Gouda (aged): 1 gram (¼ teaspoon)
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Asiago (aged): 1 gram (¼ teaspoon)
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Appenzeller: 1 gram (¼ teaspoon)
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Babybel original: 1 gram (¼ teaspoon)
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Gran Padano: 1 gram (¼ teaspoon)
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Cheddar: 1 gram (¼ teaspoon)
While cheese can be an enjoyable treat for some rats, it’s essential to provide a variety of healthy snacks in addition to a well-balanced, rat-appropriate pellet or block diet.
Rats can also safely enjoy fruits and vegetables, which offer vitamins and minerals without excess fat or sodium.
Additionally, whole grains—such as oats—or small amounts of cooked pasta can provide carbohydrates and fiber.
Varying your rat’s treat options provides enrichment, novelty, and foraging options that can enhance their overall health and well-being.
References
Prats E, Monfar M, Castellà J, Iglesias R, Alemany M. Energy intake of rats fed a cafeteria diet. Physiology & Behavior. 1989;45(2):263–272.