The Best Food to Feed Toy Rat Terriers

Your rat terrier needs fresh food every day. Terrific Pets online reports that though it may be easier to buy a commercial bag of dog food, it is not the optimal meal plan for your pet. Michelle Welton, author of "11 Things You Must Do Right In Order to Keep Your Dog Happy and Healthy," states that a rat terrier does not do well on a diet made up mostly of grains and wheat. This is what most commercial dog foods contain. A rat terrier is a hunting dog that needs meat and fresh fruits.

  1. Fresh Food

    • Dr. Martin Goldstein D.V.M. advises feeding fresh food to your rat terrier. He states, "You can boost your pet's health profoundly by making one simple decision. All you have to do is change his diet from commercial-brand fare to something you may never have imagined giving him: real food. The fresh food you buy at the market for yourself is the food you should give your pet, too."

    Foods to Feed Your Rat Terrier

    • The best food to feed your rat terrier is meat. The meat can consist of chicken or other fowl type meats, pork, beef and venison and should be the primary ingredient in a meal. Fruits are a good addition to his diet. Your dog can also have a little bit of vegetables and a very little bit of cereal and grains.

    Avoid Junk Food

    • Feed your dog real food; however, avoid "junk food." It can cause dental problems and diabetes. It can also lead to obesity. Being overweight is a big problem for the tiny rat terrier. It can actually be a life threatening problem because it can crush the dog's internal organs eventually.

    Obesity Effects

    • Obesity can, in the short term, obstruct your rat terrier's movement. This decrease in activity makes it less active and more prone to illnesses and joint problems. Another side issue of obesity is your inactive pet may begin to be destructive due to boredom.

    Limit Commercial Dog Foods

    • The problem with commercial dog foods is that they don't contain the fresh foods that the rat terriers need. They also contribute to over-feeding your pet. If you use one, make sure it is an adjunct to fresh food. Ask your veterinarian what and how much you should feed your rat terrier. It will depend on the health, size and activity level of the dog.