If you are looking for food ideas for your gerbil, you have come to the right place. You will discover what to avoid when giving your pet, and the list will be long! In this article, you will discover what to avoid, including Caffeine, Theobromine, Grapes, Raisins, Chocolate, and even certain types of fruit. By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to feed your gerbil a diet that’s completely safe for your pet!
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Caffeine
Although gerbils are omnivorous animals, you should avoid giving them food containing caffeine. The caffeine in coffee and other alcoholic beverages may cause them to get diarrhoea and become overweight. Even more, theobromine, a component of chocolate, is toxic to gerbils, so you should avoid giving your pet any type of coffee or chocolate. Caffeine is also bad for other small animals.
Theobromine
Chocolate contains theobromine, which is extremely toxic to gerbils. You shouldn’t give your gerbil this food if you love chocolate! This substance can build up in their body, causing an array of health problems. So, what is the best food for your gerbil? Here are some suggestions to make sure your gerbil doesn’t suffer from the same fate as you:
Grapes
Gerbils are omnivorous and eat virtually anything you give them. But you should avoid giving them grapes, raisins, onions and garlic. Grapes and raisins are toxic to gerbils. Also, the stomach of a gerbil is simple and they don’t need to eat them. Grapes and raisins are not good for your gerbil, and they can also cause obesity.
Raisins
Although raisins can be given to gerbils as snacks and treats, they are not a staple diet for gerbils. They are high in carbohydrates and contain little to no protein or fat. Although gerbils enjoy eating sweets, they need protein and fat in their diets from other sources. Raisins contain no such vitamins or minerals. You can offer your gerbils raisins as a treat, but make sure you do not overfeed them.
Black bananas
You can give your gerbil small portions of boiled eggs, but never the runny yolk. This can be dangerous for your gerbil, as it contains too much sugar and has a high acidic content. Gerbils should not eat flies, as they may have unwanted bacteria. Another food your gerbil should avoid are fresh strawberries. Fresh coconut is very high in fat and should not be given to your gerbil. These foods can also be steamed.
Sprouted millet
Gerbils are not likely to eat sprouted millet or green alfalfa pellets. They prefer heartier food such as cereals. Some commercial pellet mixes for rabbits and gerbils include antibiotics, so make sure to check the ingredients before feeding your gerbil. However, they will enjoy romaine lettuce, kale, beet greens, sweet potato, broccoli, and spinach. Runner bean seeds and grapes are fine to feed gerbils in moderation.
Sprouted sorghum
Gerbils are small rodents with large movable front legs. They use these legs for eating and hopping. They breed from late winter until the end of fall, having up to five cubs in a litter. While not all cubs survive the birth, they will begin eating at about twelve days. During this period, gerbils are still reliant on their mother’s milk for nutrition.
Rhubarb
Despite its sweet taste, rhubarb is not recommended for feeding gerbils. The fruit contains a high amount of oxalic acid, a compound that can cause kidney stones. In large amounts, this compound can be fatal. The leaves should never be given to gerbils. While the stalks are safe for human consumption, gerbils should not eat them.
