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Yes, rats can eat oats. Rat Guide says oats should be dry rolled oats, not instant and not flavoured, and warns they are a binding food that can cause constipation if overfed. Unusual Pet Vets lists dry oatmeal as a treat. A small pinch of plain rolled oats a few times a week, or as part of a home mix, is fine.
| Safe? | Yes, plain rolled oats |
|---|---|
| How much | A small pinch per rat |
| How often | A few times a week, or within a mix |
| Best served | Dry, plain rolled oats |
| Watch out for | Instant or flavoured oats, sugar, milk; constipation |
Are oats good for rats?
Plain oats are a wholesome grain and a good treat. Rat Guide includes oats in home-made rat diets and Unusual Pet Vets lists dry oatmeal with plain popcorn and wholewheat pasta as treats. Woodgreen suggests low-sugar cereals with under 5% sugar, such as oat hoops, for rats.
Which oats? Rolled, instant, porridge and cereal
| Form | OK? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plain rolled (porridge) oats, dry | Yes | Rat Guide's choice: dry rolled, not instant, unflavoured |
| Jumbo oats | Yes | Plain rolled oats in bigger flakes |
| Instant or flavoured sachets | Not normally | Rat Guide keeps these for ill or elderly rats with a poor appetite |
| Porridge made with water, plain, cooled | A little | Soft food for older rats; serve thin enough to eat easily |
| Porridge with milk, sugar, syrup or honey | No | Burgess says avoid sugary foods and dairy |
| Granola, flapjack, oat biscuits | No | Sugar and fat |
| Oat hoop cereal under 5% sugar | Yes, a few | Woodgreen's suggestion |
How much oats can a rat have?
A small pinch, about a teaspoon shared between two rats, a few times a week, or as part of a balanced home mix. Rat Guide warns oats are binding and can cause constipation if overfed, so do not let them become a big part of the diet.
Watch droppings if you add oats. Small, hard or few droppings, or a rat straining, can mean too many binding foods. Cut back and offer watery vegetables, and ring your vet if a rat stops passing droppings or stops eating.
Oats for older or poorly rats
Rat Guide says flavoured or instant oatmeal can be used for ill or elderly rats with a poor appetite, as a soft way to get food in. Ask your vet first if your rat is unwell.
Scatter a pinch of dry oats through clean bedding for a quick foraging game. It turns a small treat into a long search.
Other grains for rats
Try plain cooked rice, pasta or a little Weetabix. See our safe food list for rats, the rat diet guide and the pet rat care hub.
Questions owners ask
Can rats eat porridge oats?
Yes. Plain porridge oats are rolled oats, which Rat Guide recommends dry and unflavoured. Avoid porridge made with milk or sugar.
Can rats eat raw oats?
Yes. Dry rolled oats are eaten raw, and that is the form Rat Guide suggests. Keep portions small as oats can cause constipation if overfed.
Can rats eat instant oats?
Not as an everyday treat. Rat Guide says oats should be rolled, not instant, though flavoured or instant oatmeal can help ill or elderly rats eat.
Can rats eat oat milk?
Rat Guide lists plant milks, including oat milk, as a treat in only one or two bite-sized amounts. Water is their drink.