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Yes, rats can eat peas, and most love them. Burgess lists peas among the vegetables to feed rats, and the PDSA counts peas among its occasional protein treats, alongside lentils and beans. Give three to five plain peas per rat, fresh, thawed from frozen or lightly cooked, as part of the day's fresh food rather than on top of it.
| Safe? | Yes |
|---|---|
| How much | 3 to 5 peas per rat |
| How often | Most days, as part of a mix of vegetables |
| Best served | Plain: thawed frozen, fresh from the pod or lightly cooked |
| Watch out for | Tinned (canned) peas in salt water, mushy peas with salt or butter, wasabi peas |
Are peas good for rats?
Yes. Peas give rats fibre and a little plant protein, and they are the perfect size for small hands. Burgess and Walkerville Vet both list peas with the everyday vegetables, and Chewy's vet-reviewed guide includes peas in the vegetables rats can have a few bites of daily. Woodgreen includes peas in its list of fresh foods for rats.
Peas are a little starchier than leafy greens, so think of them as one part of a varied bowl, next to greens such as kale or broccoli, not the whole thing.
How many peas can a rat eat?
Three to five peas per rat is the portion we'd give, about the size of a rat's ear when piled together. The RSPCA advises counting fresh food inside the daily allowance, so if peas are on the menu, the rest of the vegetables can be a little smaller that day.
Can rats eat frozen, raw or cooked peas?
| Form | OK? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen, thawed | Yes | Cheap, easy and plain; the handiest option |
| Frozen, straight from the bag | Yes, a few | A cool treat on hot days |
| Fresh from the pod | Yes | Rats enjoy opening the pod themselves |
| Cooked plain | Yes | Softer for older rats |
| Sugar snap and mangetout (snow peas) | Yes | Unusual Pet Vets lists sugar snap peas as an everyday vegetable |
| Tinned (canned) in salted water | Not ideal | Rinse well, or choose ones with no added salt |
| Mushy peas, wasabi peas, pea crisps | No | Salt, butter, sugar or spice |
Drop a few frozen peas into a shallow dish of water and let your rats fish for them. It is a cheap game that many rats love, and a good way to cool them down in summer.
How to serve peas to rats
- Pick plain peas. Frozen garden peas or petits pois with nothing added are ideal.
- Thaw or cook. Leave them in a bowl for 20 minutes, or boil for two to three minutes and cool.
- Share them out. Scatter them so every rat gets some, rather than one rat guarding a pile.
- Remove leftovers. Clear thawed or cooked peas after a few hours.
What to offer with peas
Mix peas with other rat-safe vegetables such as broccoli, carrots and lightly cooked green beans. See the full safe food list for rats, our rat diet guide and the pet rat care hub.
Questions rat owners ask
Can rats eat pea pods?
Yes. Fresh pea pods are safe, and many rats enjoy shelling them for the peas inside. Wash them first. Tougher pods may get chewed and left, so tidy away the pieces the next day.
Can rats eat frozen peas straight from the freezer?
A few, yes. Frozen peas make a cool treat on hot days, and fishing them out of a shallow dish of water is good fun. For the main portion, thawed peas are easier on teeth and tummies.
Can rats eat chickpeas and split peas?
Cooked, yes. The PDSA lists chickpeas, lentils and beans as occasional treats. Dried pulses must be fully cooked first, as raw dried beans and legumes can harm rats. Avoid hummus, which usually has garlic and salt.