Balanced Growth Formula for Mice and Young Rats Product Description Every pellet in this food has the same mix of nutrients, so a mouse or rat can't just eat around the bits it likes and skip the rest. That matters most for young animals still growing, and for rats that are pregnant or nursing. Whole grain makes up the base, and the formula is fortified with vitamins and minerals for mice and rats of any age. It has no added preservatives, colors, or flavors. Benefits Uniform Nutrition: Every pellet has the same nutrients, so pets can't skip pieces the way they might with a mixed or muesli-style diet. Supports Growth Stages: Protein, fat, and carbohydrates supply energy, and added calcium supports muscle and bone development in growing animals. Full Vitamin Coverage: Meets daily vitamin and mineral needs, with no added preservatives, colors, or flavors. Vet-Guided Formula: Veterinary nutritionists helped formulate this diet for the specific protein, calcium, and energy needs of growing and reproducing rodents. Ingredients Ground corn, soybean meal, wheat middlings, dried whey, cane molasses, soybean oil, soybean hulls, sunflower meal, sun-cured alfalfa meal, sodium bentonite, flaxseed, calcium carbonate, lignin sulfonate, menhaden fish meal, monocalcium phosphate, natural flavor, DL-methionine, salt, magnesium oxide, choline chloride, hydrolyzed yeast, yucca schidigera extract, mixed tocopherols (preservative), vitamin E supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-monophosphate (vitamin C), zinc oxide, manganous oxide, yeast culture, mineral oil, niacin, copper sulfate, zinc proteinate, biotin, vitamin A supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, vitamin D3 supplement, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, sodium selenite, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (vitamin K), vitamin B12 supplement, calcium iodate, cobalt carbonate, rosemary extract. Guaranteed Analysis Nutrient Minimum Maximum Crude Protein 18.00% — Crude Fat 6.00% — Crude Fiber 2.00% 6.00% Moisture — 12.00% Calcium 0.80% 1.20% Phosphorus 0.60% — Vitamin A 8,000 IU/kg — Vitamin D 1,000 IU/kg — Vitamin E 125 IU/kg — How to Use Feeding Directions & Tips Young Rats & Mice: Feed unlimited amounts to young rats under six months old and to mice of all ages. Pregnant or Nursing Rats: Offer unlimited access, since reproductive stages call for higher energy and nutrient intake. Add Fresh Produce: Supplement the diet with a limited amount of appropriate vegetables and fresh fruit. Switch at Six Months: This formula isn't intended for adult rats; transition rats over six months to Oxbow's Adult Rat Food. Transitioning to a New Food Week One: Mix one-quarter new food with three-quarters of the pet's current food to begin the transition gradually. Week Two: Move to an even mix of half new food and half current food as the pet continues adjusting. Week Three: Increase to three-quarters new food mixed with one-quarter of the previous diet. Week Four: Feed Oxbow Essentials Mouse & Young Rat Food exclusively once the transition period is complete. Shipping & Return We offer ground, express, and priority delivery; see our shipping policy for details. For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy. Frequently Asked Questions Q1: What is Oxbow Essentials Mouse & Young Rat Food formulated for? Ans: Oxbow Essentials Mouse & Young Rat Food is a fortified pellet diet built for young rats under six months, mice of all ages, and pregnant or nursing rats. High-energy whole grain serves as the top ingredient, and balanced protein, fat, and calcium levels support energy needs along with healthy bone and muscle development during early growth and reproductive stages. Q2: Can adult rats eat Essentials Mouse & Young Rat Food? Ans: Essentials Mouse & Young Rat Food isn't intended for adult rats, since older rats have different energy and protein requirements than growing or reproducing rodents. Once a rat passes six months of age, switching to an adult rat formula is recommended, since that's formulated specifically for adult nutritional needs. Q3: How should the switch to Oxbow Essentials Mouse & Young Rat Food from another food be handled? Ans: Make the switch gradually over four weeks rather than all at once, since a sudden change can upset a small pet's digestion. Start week one with about a quarter new food mixed into three quarters old food, then move to an even half-and-half split by week two. Shift to three quarters new food in week three, and by week four your pet should be eating the new formula on its own. Q4: Does Oxbow Essentials Mouse & Young Rat Food contain artificial preservatives or colors? Ans: Essentials Mouse & Young Rat Food is made without artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors, relying instead on ingredients like mixed tocopherols and rosemary extract for natural preservation. Whole grain leads the ingredient list, followed by protein and fiber sources that support complete daily nutrition for growing and nursing rodents. Q5: Why are the pellets in Essentials Mouse & Young Rat Food uniform instead of a mixed blend? Ans: Every pellet has the same mix of nutrients, so a pet can't pick through the bowl and eat only the parts it likes, the way it could with a muesli-style blend. If a pet ate that way, it might get plenty of one nutrient and fall short on others over time. Q6: Can vegetables or fruit be added alongside Oxbow Essentials Mouse & Young Rat Food? Ans: Supplementing Essentials Mouse & Young Rat Food with a limited amount of appropriate vegetables and fresh fruit is recommended. Pellets remain the primary source of balanced nutrition, so fresh produce should be offered in small, controlled amounts rather than replacing a meaningful portion of the daily pellet feeding. Q7: Who formulates Oxbow Essentials Mouse & Young Rat Food? Ans: Veterinary nutritionists set the protein, calcium, and vitamin levels in this food to match what growing, pregnant, and nursing rodents need at each life stage. Oxbow uses that same formulation process for its other Essentials diets, so the approach isn't unique to this one product. Q8: What role does calcium play in Oxbow Essentials Mouse & Young Rat Food? Ans: Added calcium in Essentials Mouse & Young Rat Food supports muscle and bone development during periods of rapid growth in young rats and mice, as well as during pregnancy and nursing in adult rats. The guaranteed analysis lists a calcium range formulated to meet these elevated developmental needs.
