Can Rats Eat Meat? [Ham, Bacon, Pepperoni, Ground Beef, Steak & More!]

Have you ever wondered if your pet rats can eat meat? And if so, whether it’s actually good for them? It’s a common question among rat owners and a good one at that. After all, rats are known for eating almost anything they can get their little paws on, even if it’s not healthy for them. As their owners and caretakers, it’s up to us to make sure that the food we give them is good for them and that we avoid the foods that can cause harm.

Today, we’re going to take a closer look at whether or not rats can eat meat. We’ll start off by taking a look at whether or not rats are capable of digesting it in the first place. After that, I’ll go over whether or not it should be part of their diet. Then, we’ll take a look at which kinds of meat rats can safely eat, and which ones should be avoided. Finally, we’ll also take a look at some precautions you must take when feeding meat to your pet rat. Let’s dig in!

can rats eat meat?

If you’re in need of a quick answer, here it is: Rats can eat most kinds of meat, but since meat is high in calories and protein you do have to be careful that you do not give them too much of it. Too much meat can lead to nutritional imbalances and weight gain, so make sure that it’s fed in addition to a balanced, nutritional diet.

Do keep reading though, because there’s a lot more to learn when it comes to feeding meat to your pet rat safely.


Can rats eat meat and is it good for them?

Just like humans, rats are omnivores. This means that they’re capable of digesting meat as well as plant-based foods. So yes, rats can eat and digest meat. However, just because they can eat something, does not always mean that they should. There are several kinds of foods that rats can eat, but that they really shouldn’t. Is meat one of them?

Luckily, in small quantities, meat can be part of a balanced, nutritional diet for your pet rat. All types of meat are very high in protein and vitamin B12, which is an essential part of your rat’s diet. Red meat is also high in iron, which your rat can benefit from.

However, meat is also relatively high in calories. Because of that, your rat’s meat intake should be limited, otherwise, it can lead to rapid weight gain which can lead to a host of issues. The majority of their daily food intake should consist of 80% pellets, and 20% fruits and veggies. Meat should be treated more as an occasional treat, rather than a staple of their daily diet.

Furthermore, in the case of processed meats (such as pepperoni, bacon, ham, beef jerky) you should limit the quantity you feed even further. These processed meats contain nitrates, which studies have shown can contribute to manic episodes in rats in large quantities.

In short, small amounts of meat can be good for your pet rat, but feeding them too much is bad. Consider meat an occasional treat for your rat, not a staple of their diet.

Do rats need meat in their diet?

No, rats do not necessarily need meat in their diet. Just like humans, rats can a perfectly happy and healthy life without ever eating meat. As long as they get the nutrients they need from other sources they will be totally fine.

If you do not want to feed meat to your pet rat, that’s no problem at all. To find a list of alternative foods that your pet rat can eat, check out my rat nutrition guide.

What kinds of meat can rats eat?

Now that you know that rats are omnivores, and thus capable of eating and digesting meat, you might be curious what kinds of meat are safe for them to consume. I’ve already discussed fish and chicken/turkey in previous posts, so here I’m only going to go over meat products made from pork, beef, lamb, etc.

Can rats eat ham?

Yes, rats can eat ham in small quantities. Do be careful though, because ham is relatively high in salt, which is used to cure and flavor the meat. Rats should not have high amounts of salt in their diet, so their ham intake should be very limited. A small piece of ham is okay, but it should not be something they eat every day or in large amounts.

Can rats eat bacon?

bacon

Rats can eat small amounts of bacon, but it is very high in fat and salt, so you have to be careful that you do not give them too much of it. A very small piece of bacon on special occasions will not harm your rat, but be careful not to give it to your rat too often.

Can rats eat sausages?

sausage

Yes, your rat can eat sausages, as long as you feed it to them in moderation. Just like the aforementioned meats, sausages are high in salt and they contain a pretty large amount of fat. Because of this, you have to make sure that you do not overdo it. A small piece of sausage on special occasions is okay, but it should by no means be a large part of their diet.

Can rats eat salami or pepperoni?

Salami and pepperoni are very high in calories and fat, so even though rats can eat them, you have to make sure that you limit their intake. In small quantities, it’s not harmful, but feeding them too much salami can lead to rapid weight gain and nutritional imbalances. So yes, rats can eat salami, but in moderation, not as a regular part of their diet.

Can rats eat beef jerky?

Technically rats can eat beef jerky, but it’s by no means good for them. Beef jerky is highly processed and contains a lot of salt, nitrites, and sugar. If you give your rat a very small piece of beef jerky as a one-time treat, nothing bad will happen, but it’s definitely not healthy for them to eat. Personally, I would avoid beef jerky altogether.

Can rats eat ground beef/minced meat/hamburger meat?

Rats can eat ground beef, but make sure that it’s cooked all the way through. Also, if possible, choose a leaner type of ground beef with less fat. Rats do not need a whole lot of fat in their diet, so choosing ground beef with a lower fat content is better for them. Just like the other types of meat, ground beef is not something they should eat frequently. Only give it to them as an occasional treat.

Can rats eat steak?

Steak is very high in fat, so while rats can eat it, you have to make sure that you do not give them too much of it.

Can rats eat lamb?

Yes, rats can eat lamb. Do make sure that the lamb meat you’re about to feed them is properly cooked. If it’s not cooked it can contain harmful bacteria. Also, just like with other red meats, you have to make sure that you limit the amount you feed them. Lamb is lower in calories than beef, but since rats are so small, for them it’s still a high-calorie food.

A fun way to feed lamb to your rat is by giving them a piece of bone with a very small amount of meat still attached to it. It gives them the opportunity to grind their strong teeth on the bones while also enjoying the meat as a treat.

Can rats eat pork?

Rats can eat pork in small amounts. Just like with lamb, a fun way to feed pork to your rat is by giving them a bone with a very small amount of meat still attached to it. That way they can chew on the bone and enjoy the pork as a snack.

As with other kinds of meat, your rat’s pork intake should be limited because of how much fat and calories it contains. A small amount of pork once in a while is okay, but do not make it a large part of their diet.

Can rats eat insects?

Rats can absolutely eat insects and it’s healthier for them to eat than most other kinds of meat because they’re much lower in fat and calories. Rats particularly like mealworms and crickets.

Can rats eat raw meat?

In the wild, rats are scavengers that regularly eat raw meat. After all, while rats are smart rodents, they’re not smart enough to be able to cook the meat they find themselves!

Nevertheless, raw meat can contain parasites and bacteria that can be harmful to your pet rat. So while rats can technically eat raw meat, I do not recommend feeding it to them.

Do rats like meat?

Most rats absolutely love meat. Maybe even a little too much. Rats are naturally drawn to food that is high in fat, calories, and protein because it gives them the energy they need. Meat satisfies all those qualities and because of that, most rats will eat as much meat as they can. Since rats like meat so much, it’s up to us to limit how much we give them. As we’ve previously discussed, meat is okay in small quantities, but giving them too much of it is not good for them.

ThePetFaq Team