Raw diets for rats?

[tinytippytoes]

I've been reading alot about the diet for rats. Why they get tumors so easily and why they die such a short life. Although I've had only 2 rats my whole life that lived a longgg life. My 1st , Peanut lived for 5 1/2 years. He died from complications from tumors(yes the boys do get them too)and Lacey my sweet heart rat that lived for a wee bit older than 4 years. after joining this forum I wondered about the diet of rats which to me is so high in refined foods(blocks,cereals and so many starches added.
This is one article I have been reading and its very tempting for me to try...slowly of course.
www.total-diet.com/vegan-diet/raw-vegan-pet-rats/
There are plenty of other things to read but I want to try to see what would happened if I changed their diet like that. Has anybody ever tried it? Any suggestions?

[whipple]

I used to feed my rats a "raw" diet. I had whole grain pasta mixed with veggies of all sorts and it stayed in the freezer that way. They got peas in a water bowl as a treat and game. They loved diving for peas.

Anyhow, they definately looked way better once I switched. One thing, my pets have always eaten way better than I.

[tinytippytoes]

Did you give them blocks or dog food of any kind? Or just the fresh veg ,fruits...nuts etc stuff? Mine like the water and peas too. I'm buying more vegs tomorrow. after staying up late tonight I think I'm slowly going to try this one because its closer what a rat really eats. www.ratfanclub.org/diet.html
I'll start real slow by giving what they normally eat and add a teaspoon of vegs fruits and some tofu. Now I like tofu cooked ....raw ewwww LOL but supposedly they like it raw. This I have to see. This will be good for when I finally get ferts. Good experience to switch to raw.

[Deleted]

I feed the rat fan club diet. My rats LOVE it. Its more expensive but its worth it. I dont use the total cereal because it has BHT in it. I use the childrens chewable vitamin/mineral tablet.

[tinytippytoes]

Thats good i was wondering how to add the vitamins they were saying to mix. Thats funny Im following the same plan your using. Small world after all. So tonight I gave them chickpeas, barley green peppers and there 1st strawberry. They ate it all.

[trippyferret]

When I had rats, they would eat anything I gave them, so I don't think you'll have too much problem there.
Now every time I go through the produce section at the grocery store, it makes me think of my ratties(I used to go through there specifically for fruits and veggies for them). I miss them.