It is a common image in popular culture: a mischievous rat with a wedge of cheese. Cartoons, books, and films often depict rodents passionately pursuing dairy delights, leading many to believe that cheese is a rat’s favorite food. This widespread perception raises a simple yet intriguing question: do rats truly like cheese?
The Truth About Rats and Cheese
Despite popular belief, cheese is generally not a preferred food for rats. While a rat might consume cheese if other food sources are scarce, their opportunistic nature drives this behavior rather than genuine preference. Rats are scavengers that will eat almost anything to survive, but they tend to avoid strong-smelling foods.
The pungent aroma of many cheeses can be off-putting to a rat’s sensitive olfactory system. Cheese is high in fat, and most rats are lactose intolerant, meaning they struggle to digest the sugars found in dairy products. Consuming cheese can lead to digestive discomfort for them.
What Rats Actually Prefer
Rats are omnivores with a natural diet rich in grains, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Their dietary preferences lean towards foods high in carbohydrates and sugars, which provide readily available energy. This includes items like cereals, corn, oats, and sweet fruits.
Beyond plant-based foods, rats are also known to consume small insects and even meat if available, demonstrating their adaptability. They often seek out foods that are easy to access and consume, such as soft, crumbly items rather than hard, dense ones. A constant supply of water is also necessary for their survival, as they require regular hydration.
Their keen sense of smell guides them towards palatable and nutritious options, favoring items with a subtle, sweet, or savory scent over strong odors. This explains why a piece of chocolate, peanut butter, or a sugary cracker would attract a rat more effectively than a block of cheese. They prioritize nutritional density and ease of consumption in their foraging habits.
The Origin of the Myth
The enduring myth of rats loving cheese likely stems from historical circumstances and cultural depictions rather than scientific fact. In past centuries, before modern refrigeration and food storage, cheese was often left exposed in pantries, larders, or cellars. This made it an easily accessible food source for scavenging rodents within human dwellings.
While not their top choice, the cheese was often the most available and convenient option for rats in these environments. Over time, this practical accessibility translated into the popular imagination as a strong preference. Literature, fables, and cartoons further cemented this image, perpetuating the idea that cheese is a rat’s ultimate culinary desire, solidifying a misconception that continues to this day.