Make sure your gerbil always has a supply of fresh, clean water in a sipper bottle. It is a dry, low-fat, high-protein food, and will make up 75% of a gerbils diet. According to the National Academies Press, gerbils have a delicate nutritional balance that they require. Some human foods are generally considered safe for dogs. This will prevent bacterial build-up. Gerbils will chew on hay and have something to do while doing so, but they dont necessarily need it to stay healthy. There are smaller pellet foods for gerbils that look like kibble and also contain all nutrients. But if youre reaching for sugar all the time, try adding, say, cheese to your sandwiches or chicken to your pasta and see if a better balance of nutrients helps you feel more even-keeled overall. Feeding pet gerbils a combination of foods helps to overcome the disadvantages of the different kinds of diets. But they shouldnt be fed regularly like seed mix. Our factory in Yorkshire produces only the best quality gerbil food, made from nutritiously balanced ingredients. This be done in a food processor or blender, but don't grind them too finely. Its better to feed your gerbil raw food instead. Added vitamins and minerals (fortified gerbil mix). Raw meat and eggs may contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. But there are foods they should avoid because theyre bad for their health. Cinnamon. This means that you can give treats such as the ones I mentioned above once a week. This is something you do need to pay attention to. Despite this, don't make the mistake of thinking water is not important. When you're constipated, highly processed foods, fast food, dairy products, and high-fat meats that are low in fiber but high in saturated fat, sodium, and sugar can worsen symptoms. 2) 2. Gerbils and hamsters have the same diet as they can only digest particular foods. One of the healthiest vegetables you can eat is broccoli, a cruciferous veggie in the same family as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage. To make sure they dont eat too many, buy a premade gerbil mix. Avoid these bad nuts at all costs because they can lead to serious health issues. Im always interested in learning about new products so if you know about other good food or treats you can let me know by contacting me. Most fruits have lots of vitamins and minerals, which gerbils need in their diet. Gerbils eat grasses and greens in the wild, but not exclusively. These include the following as per The Spruce Pets: Gerbils as pets tend to be fairly low maintenance, dont take up much space, and can be an ideal pet for a beginner or for children. A list of suitable foods to fill their food dish with are: Seeds are a favourite for gerbils as they can easily hold them and nibble at them without effort. What this means is that you dont need to add vitamins to your gerbils diet. Gerbils cat eat applies. In either case, you want to give a staple food that contains the right percentages of proteins, fat, and fiber and is nutritional for your gerbils. A healthy gerbil diet should comprise of: Gerbils also need a constant supply of fresh drinking water. So, animals need enclosures that mimic their natural habitat. This common snack has one thing going for it: fiber. As I already mentioned, gerbils are foragers and will often empty their food bowl. Parsley. Shutterstock. Its important to note that while gerbils can eat a variety of foods, there are also some foods that should be avoided. The 9 Best Dog Foods without Corn, Wheat or Soy, Oxbow Garden Select Fortified Food For Hamsters and Gerbils, Oxbow's Essentials Hamster and Gerbil Food, Make Travelling With Dogs Easier by Bringing Home Favorite Treats, The Importance of Vitamin B and Vitamin E For Cattle. Youll need to make a gentle transition from the old diet to the new diet or else your gerbil can get sick. But even if they arent, its wise to stick to the rule of If youre not sure, dont.. It is reported that they ended up as pets after they were brought to America for research purposes. Gerbils originally came from Mongolia and can also be found in Africa and Asia. However, most hamster mixes contain fatty seeds that arent suitable for the main gerbil diet. Learn everything about this cute pocket pet. Try giving your gerbils pistachios, which are high in magnesium and potassium. Gerbils are inveterate hoarders so stay vigilant and remove any stale food items theyve stashed away. Again, its poisonous for some rodent species. You can also call our expert team, available 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, on +44 (0)1405 862241 wholl be happy to help. This grows in salt marshes and is used by people for soap making. Try Feeding Your Gerbil its Favorite Foods. Register now to enjoy all the benefits of Burgess Pet Club and receive your discount code. Step 2. I would recommend that you use a water bottle and attach it to the outside of the cage or tank. "Broccoli is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which overall can promote digestive benefits, immune system function, and bone health," says Young. Feed any treat items in a separate bowl and remove them after a couple of hours if uneaten to prevent spoilage. As it is nutritious and a good energy source, you may want to feed meat to your gerbil. Hamsters belong to the rodent family, and so do gerbils. Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, and K. Your gerbil would benefit from the supplementation of foods higher in these vitamins. Unfortunately, this leads to fighting in a variety of circumstances. Start by offering small amounts of fresh vegetables or fruits to prevent diarrhea from eating too much at once. If you feed your gerbil a seed mix, it should be the majority of your pets diet. All alcoholic beverages have the potential to cause vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, loss of coordination, tremors, coma, and even death in dogs. Its best to consult a veterinarian before feeding your gerbil any type of herb or plant that youre unsure about. Chestnuts are a kind of nut that's popular during the winter. Gerbils can eat insects if you count insects as meat. Below youll find a list of my recommended staple food and treats. So, remove stale gerbil food from your pets gerbilarium regularly. However, some research says that the compounds used for artificial coloring can cause kidney problems and other diseases. When you're constipated, highly processed foods, fast food, dairy products, and high-fat meats that are low in fiber but high in saturated fat, sodium, and sugar can worsen symptoms. It is unknown what component of the nut is toxic, but we do know that even a small number of macadamia nuts can result in weakness, vomiting, tremors, depression, and elevated body temperature in dogs. |. They should also receive specialized vitamins and minerals. If youre at all unsure about the best way of feeding your gerbils, or have any concerns about specific nutritional requirements, ask your local veterinary practice for advice. Chocolate and dairy products are particularly dangerous and citrus fruit can upset their sensitive tummies. If your dog eats chocolate, coffee, or anything containing caffeine, call the vet immediately to talk about next steps. If you house your gerbils in a gerbilarium or tank (which is recommended), youll need to be able to attach the water bottle to the glass (without drilling holes in it). Other healthy snacks for gerbils include unsweetened cereals. The main vegetables that people feed gerbils are cucumber, fennel, pumpkin, and carrot. Rather than just putting your gerbils favourite food in a gnaw-proof ceramic bowl, scattering some of it around encourages natural foraging behaviour. Pick a nice, cool spot within the house that still has lots of natural light. They have a diet that provides all the vitamins and nutrients they need to survive. The smaller pellets can be shattered around the cage to promote foraging. We tend to think of dairy as part of a balanced diet, but this isnt the case for our canine friends. Gerbils also eat small invertebrates (insects) on occasion, as they would naturally encounter them in the wild, and theyre the right size to eat. These social, funny, adorable rodents are great companions for children learning to take care of a pet. (Diet, Care & Feeding Tips). But when sharing with your pup, always do so in small amounts (less than 10% of your pets daily calories) and after talking with your veterinarian. Gerbils are creatures of habit Grapes are capable of causing fatal kidney failure in dogs. Lab blocks look like large pieces of pellet food. Corn On The Cob. Its far easier to buy specially formulated gerbil mix supplemented with fruit and vegetables. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Many people own and breed pet gerbils, and, like with all things, there are sometimes different views on what is a good brand of food and what isnt. A gerbil diet should contain protein and fibre to help their digestive system function correctly, as well as all the essential nutrients and minerals they need for bone, teeth and heart health, and to support a healthy coat. You can recreate this sort of diet by offering your gerbil hay. Fruit is safe for gerbils to eat and is reasonably nutritious. Avoid raw kidney beans, raw potato, onion, potato leaves, and rhubarb leaves. Establish a routine where your gerbils are fed at about the same time each day (the evening works well). You can find an entire feeding schedule for your gerbils below. Also, clean the sipper tube regularly to prevent bacteria. Or, according to The Journal of Nutrition, carrots and carrot leaves are good too. You can also call our expert team, available 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, on +44 (0)1405 862241 wholl be happy to help. PDSAadvises that the following vegetables and herbs are suitable for gerbils. Alternatively, you could leave 8tbsp of food in their enclosure every other morning. Can Gerbils Eat Mangos? Gerbils are omnivorous and can eat insects but only occasionally. Nandini Balial is a writer and fact checker specializing in a variety of lifestyle topics, including film/TV, literature, and feminism, with work appearing in Slate, Wired, Pacific Standard, and more prestigious outlets. So, you might be wondering whether its safe to feed gerbils apple. Occasionally treats such as sunflower seeds, fruit, and vegetables can be given. Take pumpkin seeds, for example. This recommended product from Critterville is both suitable for glass tanks and wire cages. Moreover, not all fruit can be given. To avoid this, be sure to cut up the food into small pieces. Citrus fruits are highly acidic, and therefore are best avoided in gerbil Refresh the water in their bottle and clean out their food bowl once per day. Theyll also happily chow down on locusts, worms and beetles. Read More Can Gerbils Eat Melons? Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds can be offered sparingly since they are high in fat. Gerbils are thought of as regular rodents. How To Prevent Gerbils From Eating Dog Food? Empty toilet rolls are a great addition to a gerbils cage as they can chew on them and shred them, which also helps them maintain their teeth. They dont look very appealing but are the perfect food when your gerbils are picky eaters. So, lab blocks and pellet food are not suitable to promote the foraging behavior of gerbils. You can try items such as carrots, broccoli, dandelion greens, apples, and berries. Older gerbils will need a diet with less protein and fat. Gerbils also need access to clean water at all times. Some are poisonous and could seriously damage your gerbils health or even kill it. However, studies indicate that gerbils can survive when fed as little as 2% fat. If you're happy with that click Accept, and all cookies will be applied. Lab blocks and pellet food do have a disadvantage: you cant shatter them around the gerbil cage. Some fruits suitable for gerbils include: The benefits include seizure prevention through the minerals in the fruit, which are Potassium, Magnesium, Copper, and Manganese, and they can be fed any banana regardless of how ripe or overripe it is. Eating corn on the cob by biting directly into the kernels can put significant pressure on your front teeth, Pezzullo said. The skin of an orange can be harmful to a gerbil, as it contains cyanide. It can be low in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, which the body needs to survive. GERBILS, GERBILS FOOD / By YahyaDZ Sharing mushrooms with gerbils is not something very common, it just doesnt seem like the kind of food a gerbil would eat, but youd be amazed what gerbils can eat. Although most dogs arent crazy about the taste of alcohol, some dogs will drink it if offered. There are different gerbil species with different diets depending on the availability of certain food sources in their natural environment. Gerbil muesli Muesli-based gerbil diets encourage selective feeding, where gerbils eat high starch/sugar components of the muesli while rejecting the more fibrous pellets. Seed mixes can be shattered easily around the cage, promoting the natural foraging behavior of gerbils and keeping them busy during the day and night. This falls into the same trap as a general seed mix where your pet will be nutritionally deficient. Dont give any foods or drinks that contain these compounds as it will lead to poisoning very fast. Young male gerbils are particularly susceptible, so it is a good idea to take your gerbil to a veterinarian to rule out the possibility of infection. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. You can also give your gerbils mealworms on a regular basis, but cut back if your gerbil is gaining weight. This is not only painful for dogs, but it can also lead to a potentially fatal condition called gastric bloat and torsion. Fruits: apples, bananas, watermelon, blueberries, raspberries, pineapple, Vegetables: broccoli, green beans, cooked potatoes and sweet potatoes, zucchini, carrots, cooked pumpkin, peas, Meats: cooked chicken, turkey, beef, and salmon, Grains: cooked rice, cooked pasta, cooked oatmeal, Nuts and dairy: cooked eggs, plain yogurt, cottage cheese, xylitol-free peanut butter. However, dogs who are prone to high blood pressure or have heart or kidney disease are more sensitive to the effects of salt. Thyme. Moreover, not all fruit can be given. Although cats are more sensitive, dogs can be affected by eating products from the Allium group: garlic, onions, chives, leeks, and related plants. But that doesnt mean they dont need water at all. (space per gerbil). You should check your gerbils enclosure each night to make sure they arent hoarding. Although a large amount of salt is indeed considered a toxin, most dogs are not likely to eat salt or salty snacks in a large enough quantity to be poisoned. They are mostly nocturnal creatures who have a lovely temperament and tend to be more social and friendlier than a hamster. Gerbils also need magnesium. Most artificial coloring wont cause a lot of problems for your gerbils. Not all vegetables are safe for your gerbil. Gerbils can develop their own vitamin c and dont necessarily need it in their diet.
