What do rats eat besides food? - briefly
Rats commonly gnaw on paper, cardboard, plastic, wood, fabric, and hair to wear down continuously growing incisors and to obtain moisture. They may also ingest small quantities of soil or debris while foraging.
What do rats eat besides food? - in detail
Rats supplement their diet with a variety of non‑nutritional materials that serve physiological, behavioral, and environmental functions.
Rats constantly gnaw to keep their incisors from overgrowing. Objects they chew include:
- Softwood branches, dowels, and pencil shavings
- Cardboard, paper, and corrugated packaging
- Plastic tubing, PVC pipe, and Styrofoam
- Metal wires and thin sheet metal
These substances provide abrasive surfaces that wear down teeth and satisfy exploratory instincts. The act of chewing also releases stress‑relieving endorphins.
In addition to structural items, rats ingest non‑food substances to obtain micronutrients:
- Soil and dust contain trace minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron.
- Salty residues on concrete, metal, or rock surfaces supply sodium, a mineral rats actively seek.
- Small invertebrates (cockroaches, beetles, larvae) and occasional carrion supply protein and essential amino acids not always present in grain‑based diets.
Rats practice coprophagy, consuming their own soft feces to recover B‑vitamins, vitamin K, and microbial enzymes synthesized in the gut. This behavior enhances nutrient absorption and maintains a balanced microbiome.
Water is a critical intake that complements solid consumption. Rats obtain moisture from:
- Standing water in containers or puddles
- High‑water‑content foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables, and garden waste
- Dew on leaves or damp bedding material
These sources prevent dehydration and support metabolic processes.
Overall, rats’ consumption of non‑nutritive items is driven by dental maintenance, mineral acquisition, opportunistic protein hunting, and physiological recycling of nutrients. Their adaptability allows them to exploit virtually any material encountered in human‑occupied or wild environments.