If you own a pet rat, it’s safe to say you know they can be quite greedy. Scavengers by nature, rats are constantly on the lookout for items to store. Anytime they spot a food item to snatch, they will stash it away for later.
Despite the fact that they can basically eat everything a human can, it doesn’t mean it’s a safe idea to provide them with an all-day buffet of choices! So, how about a vegetable like celery? While rats certainly can eat celery, it doesn’t really have much nutritional value beyond hydration—and they may very well not even like it.
Celery Nutrition Facts
What Is Celery?
Celery is a stalk vegetable that is closely related to carrots and parsley. The stalks are incredibly fibrous and mostly composed of water. The entire plant is edible, from the leaves to the stalks, although most people cut off the tops before serving.
Like most veggies, celery is non-toxic to rats in any form. But its pungent taste and stringy texture might not be a favorite item for them.
Do Rats Like Celery?
As a rat owner, you know that rats can pick through goodies, eating up all the things they love and leaving behind the rest. So, if you give your rats a little medley of veggies, will they like any of it? Of course, like anything else, this is a matter of preference and will vary from rat to rat.
But most of the time, if you let your rat choose between celery and any other savory snack, this poor stalk veggie is probably going to sit for a while. If you offer your rat celery and notice it’s still sitting in the cage, remember to remove it before it goes bad since this can be a potential problem for rats.
Benefits of Celery for Rats
In moderation, celery can be beneficial for rats because it contains lots of vitamins and minerals—not to mention, it gives them a hydration boost. There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving your rats a nibble on occasion, and it won’t harm them in any way if it’s portioned appropriately.
Celery is also a non-fat snack. We all know that rats will scarf down calorie-filled treats and would pack on the pounds if you let them, but that is of no concern here. Celery equates to no weight gain or empty calories.
Drawbacks of Celery for Rats
On the downside, celery lacks solid nutritional content long-term. It doesn’t nourish their bodies, giving them very little dietary benefits compared to their regular food. So, it’s crucial never to substitute a meal for celery. It can quickly lead to malnutrition.
Also, because of the higher water content, too much celery can lead to diarrhea as well. This can pose sanitation issues, sickness, and general upset.
How Much Celery Can I Feed My Rat?
Rats can be bottomless pits, gorging on every morsel you give them. But just remember how tiny their little bellies actually are. For a snack, just one small slice of celery would suffice—roughly the size you would use for stew.
Make sure you thread the pieces to remove any choking hazards. Even though rats have sharp incisors, they sometimes scarf food. They don’t have a gag reflex and cannot vomit.
In addition to stripping the stalk, wash the vegetable thoroughly before serving. Organic is always best—but if it isn’t, any trace chemicals need to come off, as they can make your rats very sick.
It’s best to keep celery snacks limited to about once per week. Any more than this, and you can run the risk of adverse side effects mentioned above.
Rats and Celery: Final Thoughts
So, now you know that celery isn’t the best snack choice for your rats—but it’s non-toxic. Rats can have a small amount of celery occasionally, permitting they even like it. Ultimately, your rat will be able to decide whether this veggie is a yay or nay.
Remember not to overdo it, even if your rat prefers the taste. Too much celery can quickly lead to malnutrition and diarrhea. Just wash this veggie thoroughly, peel it appropriately, and serve accordingly for your rats to enjoy—or avoid it altogether.
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