Rat food UK weaning question

[Rosh]

Hi,

I posted under the baby squirrel heading asking about Farley's rusks for weaning, I read that they were good but didn't know if they should be given mushy or dry?

Also, rodent blocks aren't a thing in the UK, but I saw on other threads here that you can give rat pellets. I've seen these,

https://millbryhill.co.uk/products/burgess-excel-rat-nuggets

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Supreme-Science-Selective-Mouse-1-5kg/dp/B007ZYR9S0/ref=pd_aw_fbt_img_m_sccl_1/259-7788440-5993765?pd_rd_w=YMw1A&content-id=amzn1.sym.06894400-2627-41c6-90e2-f7e318d490ba&pf_rd_p=06894400-2627-41c6-90e2-f7e318d490ba&pf_rd_r=ZW3FZG13GV9M75STKB45&pd_rd_wg=rvPI4&pd_rd_r=d7bd87d9-f6ae-4ce1-b67f-31d75b7edd16&pd_rd_i=B007ZYR9S0&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beaphar-Care-Rat-Food-700g/dp/B00355JV02/ref=asc_df_B00355JV02/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=255759595579&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9012725109385249887&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046612&hvtargid=pla-562697270856&psc=1&mcid=145703f1a8733e1499e62f1acb4cab20&th=1&psc=1

And was wondering if anyone knew if they would be ok to offer instead?

I have 2 greys, 8/9ish weeks old (I think!)

Many thanks! :)

[CritterMom]

All of these will work. As far as diet is concerned, rats and squirrels are very close. I would pass on the biscuits simply because they are designed to be tasty and nutritious for humans, not nutritious for rodents! You may need to experiment to see which he likes better.

[Rosh]

All of these will work. As far as diet is concerned, rats and squirrels are very close. I would pass on the biscuits simply because they are designed to be tasty and nutritious for humans, not nutritious for rodents! You may need to experiment to see which he likes better.

Amazing! Thank you so much for your response - really appreciate it. 🤗 Ok, I'll not bother with the rusks then (I did get the reduced sugar ones, but it's probably still tastier than rat food!) and I'll order the rat food to try.

Would you just let them have as much as they want, as in keep a topped up bowl of it in the cage all the time, or only give a certain amount a few times a day? They love their formula, but presumably, they won't bother as much once they get onto solids. They've had a bit of apple (mainly shredding) and avocado which they eat (and end up looking very green! 😂) They have a water bottle too and know how to use it.

Thanks again for responding!

[CritterMom]

Eventually you can leave them in there though I prefer to feed multiple times a day instead of a pile of food in the morning - everything stays fresher. I would start with a specific number of the pellets so you can tell if they are being eaten or not.

What is your plan for them? The UK isn't exactly friendly to gray squirrels...

[Rosh]

Eventually you can leave them in there though I prefer to feed multiple times a day instead of a pile of food in the morning - everything stays fresher. I would start with a specific number of the pellets so you can tell if they are being eaten or not.

What is your plan for them? The UK isn't exactly friendly to gray squirrels...

That's great, I'll do that then. I've ordered a bag ... Hope they take to them!

I know, really not, unfortunately... There'll be a soft release on the quiet! 😉