Well let me ask u this. Instead of giving my girls lab blocks I go to the store and get a few boxes of cereal such as Cheerios ancients grains and unsweetened rice puffs. I also try to add some sort of seed and noodles. Sometimes I put oats in too. Do u think this is a good substitute for lab block? Cuz I don't like buying them cuz my girls just hoard them in their house and pee on them so I end up throwing a lot away
It’s difficult to say, because I’m not a nutritionist and I don’t really know exactly what rats need in their diet.
However, most of the “homemade” diets I’ve seen still include some kind of lab block or kibble, usually for the protein and junk. I’m guessing there must be something in the lab block that isn’t in cereals, or maybe there’s more of something that there just isn’t enough of in cereals. I understand the frustration at throwing out lots of lab blocks, but I don’t think it’d be wise to cut them out completely.
If anyone with more experience or knowledge on the matter wants to advise this anon, please do!
If you're interested in making your own mix, google the Shunamite diet. It forms the basis of most rat diets in the UK. There's a website, and more information on the Fancy Rats Forum.
