The Best Snake Treats And How To Choose Them

If you’re a pet snake owner, you know that feeding time is an important bonding experience with your scaly friend. Like any pet, snakes deserve tasty treats in between nutritious main meals. But with so many snake treat options on the market, how do you choose the healthiest, most appetizing ones?

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Opt for natural, responsibly-sourced treats free of preservatives, like rodents, chicks, quail eggs, or freeze-dried options. Check ingredients to avoid fillers. And know your snake’s needs and preferences.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover how to select quality snake treats that provide enrichment without compromising your snake’s health. You’ll learn about different treat types, what nutrients snakes need, safety precautions for raw vs prepared treats, and how to gauge your snake’s interest.

We’ll also recommend 10 top-rated snake treats to try.

Key Nutrients in Snake Treats

When choosing treats for pet snakes, it’s important to understand the key nutrients they need to stay happy and healthy. Snakes are carnivores, so their treats should be high in protein, contain healthy fats, and provide essential vitamins and minerals. Let’s explore why these nutrients matter.

Protein

As carnivores, snakes need ample protein in their diets from sources like mice, rats, chicks, eggs, or fish. When picking supplemental treats, opt for options that boost protein like:

• Mealworms
• Wax worms
• Crickets
• Beef or salmon treats

Protein gives snakes essential amino acids and helps them build muscle mass to support an active lifestyle.

Fats

Snakes also require fatty acids to round out their nutrition. The right kinds of fats give snakes lasting energy and aids digestion. Great high fat treats include:

• Eggs
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Coconut
• Avocado

Just like people, snakes can have too much of a good thing. Moderation is key when offering high-fat foods.

Vitamins and Minerals

A varied diet with whole food treats supplies snakes with vitamins and minerals like:

• Vitamin A for eye and skin health
• B vitamins for converting food into energy
• Vitamin D for strong bones
• Calcium for muscle and nerve functioning
• Phosphorous to filter waste and transport nutrients

Great options for boosting nutrition include duck, quail, hard boiled eggs, fruits like melon or berries, and raw bones.

When choosing treats, read ingredient lists and select minimally processed options that mirror what a snake might eat in the wild. With thoughtfully picked supplements supporting their staple diet, pet snakes can thrive.

Types of Snake Treats

Whole Prey

Snakes love to eat whole prey like mice, rats, chicks, or quail as treats. These mimic what they would eat in the wild and allow them to exercise their hunting instincts. Whole prey provides complete nutrition with bones, organs, fur/feathers, etc.

According to the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV), 80-90% of pet snakes’ diet should consist of whole prey (ARAV). When choosing whole prey, pick prey items that are no bigger than the widest part of the snake to prevent regurgitation or impaction issues.

Some popular whole prey treat options include:

• Mice pinkies or fuzzies for smaller snakes like corn snakes or king snakes
• Rat pups or small rats for ball pythons, milk snakes, etc.
• Quail or day-old chicks for larger constrictors like boas, pythons, etc.

Parts and Pieces

While most of a snake’s nutrition should come from whole prey, parts like organs, bones and skin also make healthy occasional treats. According to reptile nutrition experts, these provide beneficial nutrients and mental stimulation (ReptiFiles):

• Organs: hearts, livers, lungs are rich in vitamin A, iron and protein
• Bones: an excellent calcium source to support bone health
• Skin: provides fiber and calcium

Never feed wild-caught parts and pieces due to disease risks. Purchase high quality frozen feeder animal parts from reputable reptile food brands to ensure safety and nutrition.

Reptile-Safe Sweets

While snakes’ main diet should be whole prey according to veterinary guidelines, an occasional sugary treat can be given safely. Some sweet human foods adapted as reptile treats include:

When fed judiciously, these sweets make excellent enrichment for your snake friend! 😊 Just be careful not to over-feed them as too much sugar is unhealthy long term.

Choosing Safe, High-Quality Treats

Avoid Unnecessary Fillers and Preservatives

When selecting snacks for your snake, it’s important to check the ingredient list and avoid products with unnecessary fillers, preservatives, or artificial colors and flavors. These additives provide no nutritional value and may cause gastrointestinal upset in some snakes.

Opt for minimally processed, all-natural treats when possible.

Some fillers to watch out for include corn, soy, wheat, and rice. While small amounts may be okay, large quantities can lead to obesity. Avoid treats with BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, and other preservatives. And steer clear of artificial dyes and artificial smoke flavors which are meant to entice humans more than provide health benefits for snakes.

Consider Sustainably Sourced

Today more companies are developing eco-friendly products to reduce their environmental footprint. When shopping for snake treats, look for options made from sustainably raised, harvested, and processed ingredients.

This ensures humane practices for any animal-based proteins as well as limited harm to habitats and species.

For example, opt for wild-caught salmon, free-range chicken, or grass-fed beef over conventional commercial sources. And choose fruits, vegetables, and grains produced organically and without pesticides when possible.

Not only is this better for the Earth, but it results in more nutritious treats your snake will love.

Raw vs. Prepared: Assess Risks

Snake owners often debate the pros and cons of feeding raw vs. freeze-dried, baked, or otherwise prepared treats. Each comes with certain benefits and risks to evaluate.

On the one hand, raw foods like meat contain natural enzymes and are free of processing additives. The texture can also help support dental health. However, raw foods may pose a slight risk of bacteria without proper handling and storage.

This is why prepared snacks with water removed are so popular – the process eliminates pathogens.

When deciding between raw and prepared treats, assess your snake’s health status along with your ability to properly store and prep raw items. For example, snakes with compromised immune systems or digestion issues may do better with freeze-dried or cooked options to reduce risks.

But healthy snakes can enjoy raw treats in moderation with proper food safety practices.

How to Offer Treats

Gauge Your Snake’s Interest First

Before offering any treats to your snake, it’s important to assess their hunger levels first. An uninterested snake may refuse food, while an overly hungry one could regurgitate a large meal. Pay attention to your snake’s body language – a hungry snake will be more alert and active in its enclosure, while a satiated snake may be hidden or coiled in a resting position.

Gently touch their tail with the treat – an interested snake will follow the movements, while a disinterested one will not respond. It’s generally best to wait at least 1-2 days after feeding before offering treats.

Offer Appropriate Treat Size and Quantity

Since treats are not a complete meal, it’s important to offer smaller portions to avoid overfeeding. A good general rule is to keep treats under 10% of the snake’s normal prey size. For example, if your ball python usually eats large mice weighing 30g, treats should be 3g or less.

Rodent body parts like hearts, livers and kidneys are nutritious options. For larger snakes, chicks and quail can be offered. It’s also wise to space out treats – offering a treat once every 1-2 weeks prevents obesity. Portion into a few pieces for multiple rewarding sessions.

Remember that snakes have slow metabolisms and don’t need large volumes of food.

Supervise Mealtimes

Never leave your snake unattended with treats, as they can be a choking hazard. Assist feed if needed by gently tapping their nose to elicit a feeding response. Watch carefully that the snake properly positions the treat before swallowing.

Since treats are often swallowed whole, make sure the pieces are an appropriate size. After feeding, check for any regurgitation over the next 48 hours, as improper temperatures or overfeeding can cause this issue. For picky eaters, try scenting treats with rodent bedding or braining.

Overall supervising mealtimes ensures your snake’s safety and enjoyment of these enriching snacks.

10 Top-Rated Snake Treat Recommendations

Finding the right treats for your snake can be tricky, but it’s important to offer them nutritious options to supplement their diet. Here are 10 top picks for healthy, veterinarian-approved snake treats:

1. Rodent Frozen Feeder Mice

Frozen feeder mice make an excellent protein-packed treat for many snakes. Thaw the frozen mice completely before feeding for safety. Select an appropriate size for your snake to prevent choking hazards.

2. Quail Eggs

Quail eggs with the shells removed are filled with nutrients like protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. The smaller size is perfect for snacks. Make sure to wash the eggs thoroughly before serving.

3. Nightcrawlers

These large earthworms are relished by many snakes. They provide lean protein, calcium and trace minerals. Use care when handling nightcrawlers as their slime and wriggling can make them tricky to grasp.

4. Silverside Fish

Silverside fish fillets are soft, odor-free and packed with nutrition. Thaw before feeding. Remove all bones as these can pose a hazard to your snake if swallowed.

5. Frozen/Thawed Pinky Mice

Young, fuzzy pinky mice are an irresistible feast for snakes small and large. Slow-thaw pinkies in the refrigerator before serving for the best texture.

6. Canned Snails

Canned snails are a prime source of protein, calcium and moisture. Rinse thoroughly before feeding to remove excess salt. Start with a small portion to assess your snake’s reaction.

7. Mazuri Tortoise Diet

This commercial pellet food is made with timothy hay, fruits and vegetables. The crunchy texture helps wear down teeth and gum tissue. Soak before feeding for easier swallowing.

8. Reptilinks

These all-natural whole-prey sausage links contain organs, bones, muscles and nutrients. They come in formulas for different snake sizes and tastes.

9. Hard-Boiled Eggs

Hard-boiled eggs are packed with protein and make an egg-cellent occasional snack! Be sure to remove the shell completely, as it could injure your snake’s digestive tract.

10. Zoo Med Canned Snakes

These vet-approved canned items are made of bone-free certified fillets packed in a savory gravy. Warm before serving to release the aroma and flavor.

Conclusion

Snake treats should be an enjoyable extra topping off your snake’s usual nutritious diet. By choosing safe, high-quality treats and paying attention to your snake’s individual preferences, you can turn treat time into a fun activity for both of you.

We covered the key nutrients snakes need, the most common treat types, important safety factors in selection and storage, tips for gauging your snake’s interest and serving size, and 10 top snake treat products to try out. Remember to always supervise your snake when offering any novel food item.

We hope this guide gave you ideas for providing your snake extra enrichment!