I bought a bag of rat food mix and a bag of lab blocks, but after taking a closer look at the ingredients I found that they weren't very healthy (lots of seeds, corn, etc). Can someone suggest a good brand for lab blocks/mix? Also, I heard something about a brand of mix/lab blocks (not sure which) called Harlan. Is that a good brand, and it is sold in Canada? Sorry about all the questions ^^;. Thanks

Thank you

*scratchs head* I had the flag a few days ago, dunno why it's gone. I'll see if I can get it back XD. Thanks for the tip!

Hagen Nutriblocks are readily available in Canada and not horrible... I think they are comparable to Mazuri (for those of us who don't have a Petsmart).

However I heard that they may be being discontinued?

There is also Oxbow Regal Rat that is available throughout lots of Canada - http://www.oxbowhay.com/link.sp?page=International_Canada

Ya know, in the blue toobar at the top of the page, in between Profile and My Messages...

Any feed stores nearby? They might be able to get Mazuri or Harlan lab blocks at a much better price than ordering online or the tiny 2 lb bags sold in pet stores

Couldn't you mail your money order so it has to be signed for when they recieve it?  Then you don't have to worry about it getting lost?  Although, I will say, I wouldn't worry about the Ark stealing your money (I think that's what you were worried about?)  The founders of the ark are members of this board, and I've met them several times.  Nice ladies, and trustworthy as well.  It's where I get my rat supplies from, and I like knowing that the money I spend goes directly back into the rats they care for. 

Call the feed stores, they might stock it already.  Mine stocks Purina Labdiet lab blocks, which are ok in a pinch, but I usually try to feed Harlan 2018.

I've had several money orders get lost. I won't use them anymore.

Rather than using blocks, I'm feeding my rats the Ducommon molasses mix with the fruits, veggies, beans, and oysters/liver. Has anyone else done the Ducommon diet exactly as it's written? The reason I'm doing it is because they don't seem to like lab blocks at all.

Do they need something to wear their teeth down? I give mine wood sticks.

I've read on a few rat sites that fuits and veggies should be given twice a week? Is that okay?


Um, this may sound silly, but what's the diffrence between a feed store and a pet store? ^^;

Feed stores also tend to stock larger bulk quantities of pet foods and tend to sell it cheaper than pet stores.  They sell by the lb out of bulk bags rather than the smaller pre-packaged and more expensive pet food sold in pet stores.

I tried Debbies Mix and they hated it.  Wouldn't touch it after the first two days.  I now do a dry mix and fresh fruits and veggies.

And to whoever asked about vegetables twice a week, my advice is to give them daily.  I personally believe that fresh foods are essential to a rats health.  Lab blocks are good if you want an easy convienient form of a balanced diet but if you read the ingredients you are basically feeding them a staple of @ 4 ingredients plus vitamins and minerals.  Personally, as omnivores, I think they need much more variety than that.  So if you do the blocks definitly supplement daily with fresh foods.

Ah, okay ^^. I hope the stupid fridge doesn't go off again *mumbles about lazy landlords*. Just one more thing, veggies & fruits every day won't cause diarrhea, will they?