What Do Rats Eat? Whatever They Can Get Their Paws On

Pet rats enjoy sweet treats like this grape, whereas wild rats have a much more diverse diet; as the saying goes, beggars can't be choosers. Photograph by Kris Yinqing Liu / Getty Images

Rats are nature’s ultimate survivors. But what do rats eat? These highly adaptable rodents will chow down on just about anything they can find, from meat scraps to fruit trees.

Whether we’re talking about wild rats in urban environments or pet rats living in homes, their diet depends on what food sources are available.

In cities, rats scavenge for human food, leading to issues like rodent infestation and rat control challenges. In the wild, rats tend to eat seeds, nuts and insects. No matter where they live, if there’s food waste nearby, rats seek it out, making proper sanitation key to avoiding a rat infestation.

Wild Rats vs. Pet Rats: What’s on the Menu?

Wild rats — including brown rats, aka Norway rats — have highly varied diets. City rats often rely on food waste from restaurants and garbage bins, while roof rats (aka fruit rats) prefer fresh fruits and vegetables.

In contrast, pet rats typically eat specially formulated pet food, which provides balanced nutrition.

Because wild rats have to find food wherever they can, they’re much less picky than their domesticated relatives. They’ll eat whatever attracts rats to an area, whether it’s human food scraps, pet food left outside or anything they can pull from the trash.

Rats and Human Environments

Rat populations thrive in areas where food sources are abundant. That’s why cities, with their endless supply of food waste, make the perfect habitat for rats. Once they find a reliable food source, rats build rat nests nearby, leading to ongoing issues with rodent infestation.

To prevent a rat infestation, experts recommend eliminating access to food waste and water sources, as well as sealing up entry points where rats seek shelter. Trapping rats and using rat traps can help control populations, but proper sanitation is the first step in effective rat control.

Signs of Rat Activity in Your Home

rat droppings — If you see this many droppings in your home, you need to get better at preventing rat infestations.
aquaArts studio / Getty Images

You may not see a rat unless it becomes a severe problem, but there are a few things you should look out for, including:

Droppings where you store food, like in a pantry
Chewed up food packages
Shredded paper and other nesting materials

Why Rats Are So Hard to Get Rid Of

Rats are incredibly resourceful when it comes to finding food. They can squeeze into small spaces, climb walls and even chew through plastic and wood to reach their next meal. This makes trapping rats a challenge, as they quickly learn to avoid dangers in their environment.

Since food sources attract rats, cutting off their access is key to controlling their numbers. When rats can’t find enough to eat, their populations decline naturally, reducing the need for aggressive rat control methods.

Health Risks and the Importance of Prevention

A major concern with rat infestations is the health risks they pose. Rats can spread disease through their droppings, urine and bites, making them a serious problem in areas with large human populations.

Proper waste management and pest control are critical to keeping rat populations in check.

Whether they’re city rats rummaging through garbage or wild rats in rural environments, these rodents are experts at finding food. Understanding what rats eat is the first step in preventing infestations and keeping food sources secure.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.