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Yes, rats can eat chickpeas, which Americans often call garbanzo beans. PDSA lists chickpeas among occasional treats for rats, and Burgess, quoting PDSA, says cooked chickpeas are a good occasional treat. Give one or two plain cooked chickpeas per rat a few times a week. Hummus is not suitable, as it contains garlic.
| Safe? | Yes, as a treat |
|---|---|
| How much | One or two chickpeas per rat |
| How often | A few times a week |
| Best served | Plain cooked or tinned in water, rinsed |
| Watch out for | Hummus, falafel, salted or spiced roasted chickpeas |
Are chickpeas good for rats?
Yes, as a protein extra. PDSA names chickpeas with lean meat, egg, lentils, beans and peas as occasional treats, and Burgess repeats that advice, saying cooked lentils, beans, peas and chickpeas are good options. They sit on top of a complete rat food, which Rat Guide says should be at least 80% of the diet.
How many chickpeas can a rat have?
None of the sources gives a number for chickpeas, so we follow Rat Guide's rule for cooked beans: one or two bite-sized pieces. For chickpeas, that is one or two each, a few times a week.
Which chickpeas are OK?
| Form | OK? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tinned chickpeas in water, no salt | Yes | Rinse first |
| Dried chickpeas, soaked and boiled | Yes | Cook until completely soft |
| Raw dried chickpeas | No | Burgess says cooked; Rat Guide lists raw dry beans as never to feed |
| Hummus | No | Garlic, which PDSA and Burgess list as harmful; also salt and oil |
| Falafel | No | Fried, with onion and garlic |
| Roasted, salted or spiced chickpea snacks | No | Salt and seasoning |
Hummus is the chickpea food most likely to be shared by accident. It nearly always contains garlic. If your rat has eaten a lot, ring your vet for advice.
How to prepare chickpeas
- Use cooked chickpeas. Tinned in water is easiest.
- Rinse well. We rinse off the tin liquid to cut salt; that is our own suggestion rather than a source's.
- Halve them. One or two chickpeas per rat, cut in half.
- Store the rest. Keep opened chickpeas in a lidded box in the fridge for two or three days, or freeze them.
Who should go easy?
Overweight rats and older males, for whom Rat Guide suggests a lower-protein diet. Start with one chickpea if your rat has a sensitive stomach.
Cooked chickpeas roll. Drop a few in a shallow tray or dig box and your rats will chase them about before eating.
Other protein treats
Rotate chickpeas with lentils, cooked beans and peas. See our safe food list for rats, the rat diet guide and the pet rat care hub.
Questions owners ask
Can rats eat hummus?
No. Hummus contains garlic, which PDSA and Burgess list as harmful to rats, plus salt and oil. Give plain cooked chickpeas instead.
Can rats eat raw chickpeas?
No. Burgess describes cooked chickpeas as the treat, and Rat Guide lists raw dry beans as never to feed. Cook them first.
Can rats eat tinned chickpeas?
Yes, if they are in plain water with no added salt. Rinse them and give one or two per rat.
Are garbanzo beans the same as chickpeas?
Yes. Garbanzo beans is a common US name for chickpeas. The same rules apply.