Yep, wolves & coyotes would starve to DEATH if not for subsisting mainly on mice -- And rodents are only called vermin because they compete with US for the same food we eat, or the the same buildings we inhabit...
Actually, at the vivarium where I buy my snake's feeder rodents, I find myself having to ask for "vermin" because we always keep pet rats at home, so I can't SAY "rat" knowing it's destined for a reptile repast -- Fortunately, the staff there has gotten used to me after many years !
Thanks for all the replys. Next feeding day, I think I'll thaw a few extras out and see how the dogs like them. I'll try the mice first then the rats. My two border collies have killed a few small animals in their days, rabbits(my girlfriends pet who happened to get out of its cage during the night) and birds-wild doves in the yard. My lab on the other hand, doesn't really see small animals as something to get, unless the animal looked like a tennis ball.
Also, yes rats do give very bad bites, they tand to chew their victims instead of just biting. One of the biggest reasons I feed only prekilled to my snakes and lizards. I've seen several bad caes of snakes that were left alone with rats and either got killed or very badly wounded. It's not worth the risk!
A word to the wise for those letting their dogs eat wild rodents. The flea on wild rats, mice, rabbits, etc is the vector for tapeworm. I've hunted with terriers for years and a good working terrier will do what is necessary then leave the quarry.
The only dog I ever had that consistantly got tapeworm was one Norwich that loved to swallow the field mice that he caught.
(Dern showline bred dog was afraid of anything bigger) LOL!
If your dog eats wild mice, rabbits, squirrels, rats it WILL wind up with tapeworm sooner or later.
Yes, it is true wild rodents do carry parasites. I just want to point out that, all the rodents fed to my animals are captive bred and have been captive for hundreds if not thousands of generations. Even still you need to be careful of where you buy feeder rodents from. Some breeders out there don't care about sanition as much as they should.
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Re: Anyone feed rats?
[Re: susan tuck ]
#132244 - 03/07/2007 04:27 PM 
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