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Yes, rats can eat plums as an occasional treat. Plums are a stone fruit like peaches, which Burgess lists as rat-safe, and the same rules apply: give a piece of ripe flesh about the size of your rat's ear, with the stone removed, once or twice a week at most. Never let rats chew the stone, and skip prunes and tinned plums in syrup.
| Safe? | Sometimes, as a treat |
|---|---|
| How much | A piece about the size of your rat's ear |
| How often | Once or twice a week at most |
| Best served | Ripe, washed, stone removed |
| Watch out for | The stone, prunes, plum jam, tinned plums in syrup |
Are plums safe for rats?
The limit is sugar. Burgess advises very small amounts of fruit for rats because it is high in sugar, and Chewy's vets suggest a few small bites of fruit a few times a week in total. Plums can also loosen droppings if overdone, which is why we keep them to once or twice a week.
Can rats eat plum stones?
No. Stones of plums, peaches, cherries and apricots contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide when chewed. The Vet Desk notes there are no reports of seed or pit poisoning in pet rats, but recommends never offering the pit to be safe. Rats are strong chewers and could crack one open, so cut the flesh away and throw the stone in a lidded bin.
If your rat has chewed into a plum stone, take the pieces away and ring a vet for advice. Go straight to a vet if you see fast or laboured breathing, weakness, wobbliness or collapse.
How much plum can a rat eat?
A piece about the size of your rat's ear, the fruit portion Burgess recommends, once or twice a week. For an average plum, that is a small wedge, or about an eighth of the fruit. Keep vegetables as the main fresh food.
Plum skin, prunes and other forms
| Part or form | OK? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ripe flesh | Yes | The part to offer |
| Skin | Yes, once washed | Can be sharp; peel if your rat leaves it |
| Stone | Never | Contains amygdalin |
| Prunes (dried plums) | No | Concentrated sugar and strongly laxative |
| Tinned in syrup, jam, crumble | No | Added sugar, which the RSPCA advises against |
| Plum leaves and twigs | No | Not food; we leave them out |
- Wash the plum. Rinse it well under the tap.
- Cut away from the stone. Slice the flesh off in wedges and bin the stone.
- Cut small pieces. One ear-sized piece per rat.
- Clear up. Remove leftover fruit within a few hours.
What to offer instead
Other stone fruits follow the same rules: see peaches and cherries. For a fruit with no stone, try pear or blueberries. 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 plum skin?
Yes, once the plum is washed. Some plum skins are sharp-tasting, and many rats nibble the flesh and leave the skin. If yours do, simply peel the next piece.
Can rats eat prunes?
It is best not to. Prunes are dried plums, so the sugar is concentrated, and they are known for loosening stools. A small piece of fresh plum is the better choice.
Can rats eat greengages or damsons?
Yes, prepared the same way as plums: ripe flesh only, stone removed, a small piece once or twice a week. Damsons are quite sour, so many rats prefer sweeter fruit.