Would rats eat more than they need?

Question

Im going away for 5 days and am not able to take my rats with me. Since no ones really found of them, i don't think i can find anyone to take care of them... i was wondering would that be ok if i leave them a big dish of food and nibbles + fill up their water thingy and leave it for them? The water is enough for about a week but Im not sure if they would eat all the food once they see they have a lot or not... I really donno what to do!
Besides they keep trying to hide their food, and their cage has wire underneath so they like drop it into their trash tray and they cant reach it later... how do i stop them from doing that or what should i do? Thanks a lot
xx

Answer 1

One will live and the question will be asked, Are you the dirty rat that killed my brother.

Answer 2

Rats tend to drink a lot and yes, they do tend to hide food a lot too. Just to be on the safe side, I would not chance leaving them for 5 days unattended. If you choose to leave them for that long, I would suggest leaving them with at least 2 or 3 extra large sized water bottles as well as a half to 3 quarters of a full bag of food. Whatever is left over when you get back, just wrap it up and put it aside.

Answer 3

if you really insist on leaving them alone make sure you leave at least 2 water bottle! water is waaay more important than food, and your water bottle might be big enough, but water if it jams, or all leaks out or something and no-ones there to notice? also, i would put food in different places, like not just one big bowl. try hiding some around the cage so they have to find it. oh and a little off subject, but rats really shouldn't be in wire bottom cages, its bad for their feet.

Answer 4

you will be better giving them several bowls of dry food placed in different areas of cage

i would buy an extra bottle for the water though

they will eat when they are hungry

and hide the best bits in a treasure store



i dont ever use a cage with wire bottoms as it hurts their feet.

it will be better if some one will at least put a bowl of food in ever day.

Answer 5

just get 2 or one big dog bowl of food depend of the amount of rats and give them 2 bottles of water to be sure and they will only eat wat they need and also insted of put just the beding in the bottle fill it above the top of the wire then thta way it will be ncier on there feet aswell =] and they do that to save there foot they do it in the wild

Answer 6

when i fill my rats food dish up, its usually all gone by the next day

Answer 7

well usually they eat all their food at once (or at least nearly all their food)

are you sure you don't have a neighbour that could feed them every two days or something?

Answer 8

You don't say when you're going - but wouldn't your local pet shop board them for a few days ? You could ask them tomorrow when they open !