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Yes, rats can eat a little cooked salmon as a protein treat. Rats are omnivores, the PDSA lists small pieces of lean meat as treats, and Woodgreen uses dried fish as a protein source in its rat food mix. Give a boneless, plain, cooked piece about the size of your thumbnail, once a week at most. Raw, smoked and salted salmon are a no.
| Safe? | Sometimes: cooked and plain only |
|---|---|
| How much | A piece the size of your thumbnail per rat |
| How often | Once a week at most |
| Best served | Steamed, poached or baked with nothing added, boneless, cooled |
| Watch out for | Raw salmon, smoked salmon, bones, salt, sauces and oil |
Is salmon good for rats?
In small amounts, yes. Salmon is a rich source of protein and fat. Pet rats get most of their protein from pellets, so they don't need fish, but a little plain cooked salmon is a treat most rats love. Chewy's vet-reviewed guide suggests protein treats two to three times a week in small amounts, using foods such as cooked egg, cooked chicken and cooked shrimp. Salmon fits in that group.
The reason to keep it small is fat. Salmon is one of the oilier fish, and rats gain weight easily. Woodgreen warns that too much of any food can cause obesity or digestive problems.
Can rats eat raw salmon?
No. WebMD's vet-reviewed guide says meat should only be fed cooked, as raw it may be harmful. Raw fish can carry bacteria and parasites. Cooking it plain removes that worry, so always cook salmon through before sharing.
Smoked, tinned and other forms of salmon
| Form | OK? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh, cooked plain | Yes | The best choice |
| Tinned (canned) in spring water | Yes, a little | Drain well; remove bones and skin |
| Tinned in brine or oil | Not ideal | Salt or extra fat; rinse well or skip |
| Smoked salmon | No | Very salty and not cooked through |
| Raw, sushi, sashimi | No | Bacteria and parasites |
| Skin, cooked plain | A tiny piece | Very fatty |
| Fish fingers, fishcakes, salmon in sauce | No | Batter, salt, butter, onion or garlic |
How much salmon can a rat eat?
A piece about the size of your thumbnail per rat, once a week at most. On salmon days, skip other protein treats. Count it as part of the day's food.
How to prepare salmon for rats
- Cook it plain. Steam, poach or bake a small piece with no salt, oil, butter or seasoning.
- Check for bones. Flake it and remove every bone, including the fine pin bones.
- Cool it. Let it cool to room temperature before serving.
- Serve outside the cage. Walkerville Vet suggests giving perishable treats such as cooked meat outside the enclosure, so it isn't hidden.
- Clear leftovers. Fish goes off quickly; remove any within an hour.
Rats hoard food, and a stashed piece of fish spoils fast in a warm cage. Check hides and hammocks after a fish treat, and remove anything that was carried off.
What to offer instead
For other protein treats, see our pages on eggs and mealworms, and why fish-flavoured cat food is not a good swap. 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 tinned salmon?
A little, yes, if it is packed in spring water. Drain it, remove the soft bones and skin, and give a thumbnail-sized piece. Salmon in brine is salty, so rinse it well or choose another treat.
Can rats eat smoked salmon?
No. Smoked salmon is cured with a lot of salt and usually isn't cooked through. A plain cooked piece of fresh or tinned salmon is a much safer way to share.
Can rats eat other fish, like tuna or white fish?
Plain cooked fish is fine as an occasional protein treat. White fish such as cod is leaner than salmon. Tuna in spring water is fine in a small piece now and then. Always remove bones and avoid salty or oily versions.