Ethical Question.....PICS ADDED

[crazyratlady]

I have a senior who is starting show signs of fading. He is still healthy, he is just a bit slower, has lost condition etc. His hindend is still fairly solid. Would it be wrong of me to allow him to have extra treats, or even foods he hasn't been allowed to eat because of the nutrional content? He is in his twilight time and would really enjoy the extra treats etc. Should I let him enjoy the time he has left by indulging him a bit now and then or would I be one of those "bad" owners if I let him indulge?

Some pics of my golden boy, introducing Mr Paddy O'Ratt.

My favorite pic of Paddy, you can see the little soul in there.



His coat has lost it's shine and his hips are starting to sink, he has also lost weight.


I allow him to roam on the lawn as he can't move very quickly anymore, he's a slight bit wobbly now and then but basicly solid in the hindend. Sometimes he falls over when grooming, I prop him up against me to hold him up when he needs help.

[lilspaz68]

How senior?  How old is your boy?
When rats are ill or much older a lot of us just tuck away the diet book...nothing too insane but definitely more treats and foods because they are getting thinner.  It sounds like your healthy diet did its job since he's now a healthy senior.   

[jorats]

It depends how senior. I've seen people call their 18 month old rat a senior.
But at an older age a naughty treat shouldn't do to much harm. I have my rats on a strict healthy diet but once they reach 30 months, I'll sneak them some buttered popcorn, KFC, bits of chocolate or cake.

[crazyratlady]

How senior?  How old is your boy?
When rats are ill or much older a lot of us just tuck away the diet book...nothing too insane but definitely more treats and foods because they are getting thinner.  It sounds like your healthy diet did its job since he's now a healthy senior.   

He is a rescue rattie, the previous owner told me he was close to 2 years old, and I would aggree that is in the ballpark. He is my favorite, sweetest personality I've ever seen in an animal and for some unknown reason we "connected" he picked me to love him.

[lilspaz68]

24 months and in good health?  I would occasionally give him a few more treats, but I would still try to maintain the healthy ones.  I have 2 rescue ratties here at 37 months and 34 months...so you never know. 
Pics?

[Scubbs]

I would give him lots of softer foods, but still try to keep things on the healthier side.  When Gabriel started declining, I made him two small plates of goodies daily, since he stopped eating harder food (Suebee's, lab blocks, pretty much everything in the normal rat diet).  Here was one of breakfast/dinner plates I made him:

[jorats]

I would give him lots of softer foods, but still try to keep things on the healthier side.  When Gabriel started declining, I made him two small plates of goodies daily, since he stopped eating harder food (Suebee's, lab blocks, pretty much everything in the normal rat diet).  Here was one of breakfast/dinner plates I made him:

Wow!! That looks great!

[Maxxsgirl]

Even I would love to eat that!

[*Kat*]

Better to stick to the healthy diet, maybe an extra treat here or there, but not overdone.

[ginniejollie]

Hi, I agree to keep them on as healthy a diet as possible, but I have a nearly 37 mth and a 33mth, they just Love sharing one or (maybe 2  ) of my KFC Popcorn Chicken bits.  I also supplement a few times a week, Organic Baby Food, of their favourite flavours, just as a boost to their systems.

It's wonderful to hear you have an older boy in such good health and I agree 110%, I love that plate of food for me. 

[RKEM]

If he is obviously fading (regardless of age, sometimes genes are cruel and you never know what the past of rescues might have been like), giving him foods that are perhaps a bit less nutritionally balanced but that he will eat more of might be a good thing. It's important that he keeps his body weight up. Fatty treats and sugary ones are ok in moderation. I wouldn't make KFC a daily staple but anything else that is healthy would be a good for him.

You have to remember that a rat's conception of a "treat" might be very different from ours. Hard boiled egg, poached salmon, boiled chicken, cooked shrimp are all treats my rats would kill for yet for me it's hardly a "treat". There are tons of things with higher protein content that you can give him and who will make him feel happy and like he's being treated to a feast. Cooked pasta and rice are also always appreciated. Veggies and fruits are obviously always a good thing, and they help add water and fibre to their diets. You can even cook some of the veggies to make them more appealing or if he seems to be having a hard time with harder foods. You can also go crazy and make your own baby foods. This is what an example of a geriatric meal I would make for my girl Botine in the last few months of her life.

[TheNightSpider]

I would LOVE to eat that! My boy looked at the page and now he realises how much rats can mean to people.  I feel bad I don't feed my ratties with plates! 

[RKEM]

I find that plates work better (or in this case a saucer from my espresso cup set) because the rattie doesn't have to perch or climb over the ledge to get at the food. They can just walk up to it and eat on all four if they're at a point where their front leg dexterity isn't so great anymore or they tire rapidly.

[andrea1970]

so, RKEM, what is on that plate?

[flyingteapot]

I would give him lots of softer foods, but still try to keep things on the healthier side.  When Gabriel started declining, I made him two small plates of goodies daily, since he stopped eating harder food (Suebee's, lab blocks, pretty much everything in the normal rat diet).  Here was one of breakfast/dinner plates I made him:

Kin saw that and wants to know if he can come live with you!

(boy are they happy to be getting yummy stuff tonight. and bananas.)


as for the thread  :

 I haven't had a rat reach 2 yet. but I've lived with animals all my life and as they get older, I slowly add in more treats here and there.

 well, unless you talk about the dogs...ahem. spoiled rotten and very healthy despite it.  (my muscle aussies )

[Dork123]

That is one seriously handsome rattie!  Wow...  I love the variation of colors in his coat.  And you're right-- definitely a cool soul in that li'l guy!

[Dorasmommy]

Yes, he's most definitely a cutie.  You can give him more treats, without letting him eat a jar of icing or something! I know it's hard to try to not fatten mine up too much, they love to eat! 

[Amykins]

As pets get older, I definately add more treats in.  It's hard for them to keep on weight and so I don't mind giving them some extra.  Truth be told though, I am quite a softy for them even when they aren't aging!  I'm such a sucker for all my pets' faces!  Especially my dog, he has this one look he gives me and I just give in everytime! 

Evidence of "the look":

[RKEM]

so, RKEM, what is on that plate?

Starting at 12 o'clock, peeled green grapes and shelled green peas, brocoli puree, sweet potoatoe and turnip puree, chicken, carrots ginger and honey puree, butternut squash and cinnamon purree, mashed potatoes with butter and olive oil and in the middle full fat yoghurt with acidophilus ... and the others are a repeat of the previous ... I just like to make small piles so that each item is easily accessible to a mobility reduced rat ... and yes, I admit it ... I just like to make it look pretty.

It might seem like a lot of work but I usually make larger quantities and freeze some in small containers. The only ones that don't seem to freeze well are corn puree and anything with potoatoes in them ... so I make those in smaller quantities and keep them in the fridge.

And Amykins, that is one impressive "I'm a poor starving mistreated animal ... and I'll guiltrip you until I get some of what you're having" look

[Amykins]

RKEM- Buddy would like to say that he appreciates how you noticed how abused he is!   He is taking treat donations at our address!

Some more evidence of the daily abuse is documented here:



I mean, how rude of me to only SHARE my Breyers!  A truly loved animal would get the whole darn thing!