Can Rats Eat Cherries?

Can rats eat cherries? I’m glad you asked. Rats enjoy various food such as strawberries and watermelon, but can rats eat cherries? Continue reading to find out what’s good and bad about this delicious fruit.

Can Rats Eat Cherries?

The short answer is yes. Rats can eat cherries, but before you start feeding cherries to rats, there are a few risks you should be aware of first. Let’s find out what’s good and bad about serving cherries to your rat.

Are Cherries Good for Rats?

Yes, cherries are good and safe for rats to eat in moderate amounts. However, you have to learn how to prepare them to avoid some risks.

Cherries provide numerous nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, proteins and carbs that can benefit the health of your rat. in addition to a high water levels (around 82%) which makes it a good food for summer days because it can help keep rats hydrated.

Down below, we’ve put together some of the health benefits of serving cherries to your rat.

Vitamins

Rats use vitamins to maintain their body functions. Below are some vitamins that rats can get from cherries.

Vitamin A is necessary for your rat to maintain healthy organs and eyes.
Vitamin C helps create antibodies which are vital for rats’ immune system, and it also acts as an anti-inflammatory
Vitamin K in cherries aids rat’s blood’s ability to coagulate normally.

Minerals

Rats need several minerals in their diet. Below are several minerals that rats can get from cherries.

Potassium content of cherries helps reduce blood pressure and protect rats from strokes and other diseases such as osteoporosis and kidney stones.
Calcium content of cherries help rats build and maintain strong and healthy bones. The rats’ nerves, muscles and heart also require calcium to function properly.
Magnesium content of cherries aids the rat’s body to have healthy blood sugar levels in addition to a healthy heart.

Fiber

Cherries are around 1,6% fiber which keep your rat’s digestion system in good condition.

Protein

Cherries are also 1% protein which is necessary for rat’s growth.

Are Cherries Bad for Rats?

No, cherries are neither bad nor poisonous to rats just make they are unseasoned, unsalted and fresh. However, eating significant amounts can cause some side effects like digestion issues, diarrhea and clogged arteries due to the high water and sugar content which constitute around 81% of cherries’ size.

Do Rats Like Cherries?

Unfortunately, we can’t ask our rats what they like. However, finding out what rats like and dislikes is not hard because if your rats like something, they will eat it; if they do not, they won’t eat it.

However, most rats enjoy eating cherries like in the video below.

However, there’s a chance that your rats won’t like it at all, and that’s okay. Rats have their own dietary preferences.

If your rats aren’t interested in a specific food, there are many others that you can replace it with.

How Much Cherries Can Rats Eat?

There is no exact rule on how much cherries rats can eat. However, cherries or any food should never make more than 5-10% of rats’ total calories. You should consider cherries as a treat, not as a replacement for their main meal. If you feed rats cherries, it should be a part of a well-balanced meal.

How to Feed Cherries to Rats?

Here is how you can offer cherries to your rat.

It is best to seek organic cherries whenever possible.
Wash the cherries thoroughly to remove any potential pesticides from the skin.
Remove the skin if your rat does not like it or if you want to eliminate the risk of pesticide poisoning .
remove the pit and cut the cherries up into small slices that your rats can enjoy.
Mix the cherries with other foods that your rat eat.
Start with a smaller amount of cherries the first time you give them to your rat to see if they show any negative signs. It’s wise to do this with any new treat.

Conclusion: Can Rats Eat Cherries?

Yes, rats can eat cherries in moderate amounts. They are healthy, delicious and completely safe for rats. However, it can cause some issues if excessively consumed.

And with so many healthier options available out there. Cherries are best fed with other food that your rat eat.

Keep cherries as a special treat, and don’t replace them with the rats’ main meal.