Walmart usually stocks several gerbil and hamster-and-gerbil foods in the small-pet aisle and online, but selection varies by store. Whatever you pick, choose by label rather than packaging: you want a food made for gerbils, with moderate fat and little added sugar.
How to Choose a Gerbil Food on the Shelf
- Species: look for “gerbil” or “hamster and gerbil” on the front. Avoid foods meant for rabbits or guinea pigs.
- Type: seed mixes are cheap and give variety, but gerbils may pick out favorites. Pellet or extruded foods give the same nutrition in every bite.
- Ingredients: whole grains and seeds near the top, limited sunflower seeds and peanuts, and no sugary fruit chunks or colored pieces.
- Freshness: check the best-by date and avoid torn or dusty bags.
Common Types You Will See
Store shelves typically carry seed-style mixes with dried fruit and vegetable bits, pellet-style complete diets, and treat sticks. Treats are fine now and then, but they should not be the main meal. If you buy a mix and your gerbils leave a pile of pellets behind, try a pure pellet food or feed the mix in measured portions so they eat everything.
How Much to Feed
Start with about one tablespoon of dry food per gerbil per day and adjust to body condition. Make food changes gradually over a week. Provide hay, a gnawing chew, and fresh water daily.
Safe Extras
Thumbnail-sized pieces of carrot, cucumber, or broccoli a couple of times a week are good extras. Skip chocolate, citrus, onion, garlic, avocado, and sticky snacks like peanut butter.
Bottom Line
You can build a perfectly good gerbil diet from what is on the Walmart shelf if you read labels, favor lower-sugar and lower-fat options, and add small fresh extras. If your gerbil loses weight or stops eating, call your vet.
General information only, not veterinary advice. Brands and prices at any store change often.
Related reading: Best Gerbil Food, What Can I Feed Gerbils?, and Kaytee Fiesta Hamster and Gerbil Food.
