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Yes, rats can eat courgette (zucchini). Burgess lists courgette among the vegetables to feed rats, and RSPCA Australia puts zucchini in the non-starchy vegetables that make up a rat's daily fresh food. Give a thin slice or a small cube per rat, raw or plain cooked, with the skin on. It is mild, watery and low in sugar, so it suits most rats.
| Safe? | Yes |
|---|---|
| How much | A thin slice or a cube about 1 cm (half an inch) across per rat |
| How often | Daily, as part of mixed vegetables |
| Best served | Washed, raw or lightly steamed, skin on |
| Watch out for | Very bitter courgettes, fried or seasoned courgette, courgette bread or cake |
Is courgette good for rats?
Yes. Courgette is mostly water, with a little fibre and very little sugar, which makes it one of the easiest vegetables to give every day. RSPCA Australia builds the daily diet around dark greens and non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, green beans and zucchini, alongside rat pellets. Chewy's vet-reviewed guide also lists zucchini among the vegetables rats can have a few bites of each day.
Because it is so mild, courgette is a good first vegetable for rats who are new to fresh food, and a gentle choice for older rats.
How much courgette can a rat eat?
A thin slice or a cube about 1 cm (half an inch) across per rat each day. Burgess describes a vegetable portion for a rat as a slender slice or a compact cube. Count it within the day's food, and mix it with other vegetables rather than giving courgette alone, so your rats get a range of nutrients.
Too much watery veg at once can loosen droppings. If that happens, cut the portion back for a few days.
Raw or cooked courgette for rats?
Both are fine. Raw courgette gives a little crunch and is quicker. Lightly steamed or boiled courgette is softer, which helps older rats or any rat with tooth trouble. Cook it plain, with no oil, butter, salt or garlic, and let it cool.
- Wash it. Rinse under the tap to remove soil and spray.
- Taste a sliver. If it is very bitter, throw the whole courgette away.
- Slice or dice. One thin round or a small cube per rat.
- Serve raw or steamed. Steam for two to three minutes if you want it soft, then cool.
- Clear up. Remove leftovers within a few hours.
A courgette that tastes strongly bitter can upset people's stomachs, and it is not worth the risk for a rat either. Normal courgettes taste mild; if yours doesn't, bin it.
Skin, seeds, flowers and courgette dishes
| Part or form | OK? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flesh and skin | Yes | Leave the skin on; just wash it |
| Soft seeds inside | Yes | Fine in an ordinary courgette |
| Marrow (an overgrown courgette) | Yes | Peel if the skin is tough; remove large seeds |
| Fried, roasted with oil or seasoned | No | Fat, salt and often garlic |
| Courgette cake or bread | No | Sugar and fat |
What to offer with courgette
Pair courgette with broccoli, cucumber or a few peas, and try butternut squash as a sweeter cousin a few times a week. See the full rat safe food list, our rat diet guide and the pet rat care hub.
Questions rat owners ask
Can rats eat courgette skin?
Yes. The skin on an ordinary courgette is thin and safe, and it adds a little fibre. Wash it well. On a big, overgrown courgette or marrow the skin can get tough, so peel that one.
Can rats eat courgette every day?
Yes. It is a mild, low-sugar vegetable that vets list for daily feeding. Keep the portion small, a thin slice or small cube, and mix it with other vegetables through the week.