Although they are not as popular as Syrian dogs, still gerbils have their pet following. These are common pets that are more widespread in children because they are far less likely to bite, have a longer life than a dog, and are so fascinating to watch. Gerbils are very social and don’t mind spending time with you endlessly. Commonly pet owners feed standard seed mix to their pet gerbil, but it is not the only food choice for Gerbil.
Dietary needs of Gerbil:
Gerbils require a delicate nutritional balance to stay healthy and survive for a long time. The required essential nutrients for gerbils are:
- Carbohydrates to get energy
- Proteins for muscles growth
- Fat for the Gerbil’s fat store
The maximum of a gerbil’s diet must be composed of carbohydrates, only 2 to 20% of fat, and a sufficient protein quantity. In addition to these food components, gerbils also require vitamins. These vitamins include Vitamin A, D, E, and K. Gerbils require minerals also along with vitamins. Calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium are the minerals needed by pet gerbils.
What can Gerbil eat?
From a dried seed mix to eggs, fruit twigs, vegetables, and fruits, there is plenty of food sources that Gerbil can eat:
Nuts & seeds:
Nuts and seeds are good sources of protein for gerbils, and they love to eat a variety of nuts and seeds like walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. But only a small amount of nuts and seeds is right for Gerbil because all of these are high in fat content.
Custom Gerbil food:
Particular food for gerbils is rich with essential vitamins and minerals necessary for the growth and development of pet gerbils. This high-quality food is made of grains and seeds, and it is available in the form of muesli mixes or nuggets.
Herbs:
Herbs can also be a part of the variety of snacks for gerbils. Fresh coriander, parsley, or basil are wonderful snacks for this tiny rodent.
Vegetables:
Broccoli, carrot, and cabbage are the vegetables you can include in your furry friend’s regular diet, but always serve this vegetable in minimum quantity.
Fruits:
Fruits can be served to the gerbils, but only as a treat. Small pieces of various fruits can be served in limited quantities occasionally to Gerbil.
What fruits can a Gerbil eat?
Gerbil can eat fresh fruits like apples, bananas, and pears, just like humans. These fruits can be an excellent treat for gerbils that you can serve them once or twice a week. Citrus fruits, rhubarb, and grapes could upset your Gerbil’s stomach, so avoid giving these fruits to it.
Gerbils are different!
Of course, gerbils can eat several fruits, but they are not made for it. The Gerbil is desert species, and in their day-to-day life, they don’t use to get water-rich fruits and vegetables. Their digestive system is not well adapted for foods that are rich in moisture. But they can eat small pieces of fruits occasionally without making their stomach upset.
Benefits of fruits for Gerbil:
Although fruits are not more than small delicious treats for Gerbil, all of these fruits are the best sources of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, and antioxidants for this furry creature. Wild Gerbil cannot enjoy leafy green vegetables and fresh fruits. Still, as pet rodents, they can eat fruits like bananas, pears, peaches, bananas, strawberries, kiwi, plums, blueberries, etc.
Gerbils are pets having sweet tooth, and all these fruits can help them keep their fur shiny and clean. These fruits are also helpful in keeping the mind and body of your pet gerbil active.
NOTE: To keep it healthy, it is essential to follow the rule of limited access to Gerbil’s fruits and vegetables.
Never cross the limit!
Gerbils may have to face a few problems with eating a diet that contains a lot of sugar and a lot of water. Having more fruits in their diet may cause excessive weight gain. This weight gain may give your Gerbil a more cute look, but they also have to face some serious health issues that can lead to death. Additionally, excessive sugar in Gerbil’s diet can cause rotten teeth and digestion issues.
These furry pet fellows are not very much used to food with a high content of water. Fruits like watermelon have a fair amount of water, and it can cause Gerbil to have “wet-tail” or runs. It is highly advised to give fruits and vegetables to your Gerbil occasionally in a minimal quantity to avoid health risks.
NOTE: wet-tail is a bacterial infection that affects Gerbil’s tail base, and it becomes wet. It causes loose stool or diarrhea in rodents.
Toxic fruits for Gerbil:
Avocados, grapes, and fruit seeds are toxic for Gerbil.
Avocados:
Avocados have high calcium, acid, and fat contents that are more than enough for Gerbil to handle. Avocados can also cause damaging effects on the heart of Gerbil that can be fatal.
Grapes:
The high acid content of grapes makes them poisonous for Gerbil. High acid content damages the physiology of Gerbil.
Fruit seeds:
All fruit seeds are challenging to digest for gerbils, and they may suffer from digestive issues. Apple seeds and other fruit seeds contain little amount of cyanide that is a harmful chemical for gerbils.
Conclusion:
Gerbils eat a variety of fruits, but only in small quantities as an occasional treat.
There is a long list of fruits beneficial for gerbils, including apples, strawberries, bananas, and plums. These fruits make the perfect treat for gerbils, but you cannot serve your gerbils with this fruit treat regularly.
High sugar content and water present in fruits can cause serious health risks, including obesity. Water present in fruits is also more than enough for gerbils, and they may suffer from diarrhea and wet-tail issues.