Gerbils have a unique diet, and a good quality gerbil food is a must. Most pellet-based gerbil foods contain too much wheat, a cheap bulking agent, and little nutritional value. In addition to this, most gerbil food products contain artificial additives to make up for the nutrients that are lost during the manufacturing process. To ensure that your gerbil has a healthy, balanced diet, look for a natural feed mix.
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gerbils eat only one food
Many people are under the mistaken impression that gerbils eat only one type of food. While they can eat a variety of foods, these animals are not supposed to be fed processed foods. The reason is simple – processed food is often filled with empty calories and lacks the nutrients and vitamins they need. Furthermore, cooking destroys these nutrients, so it is best to avoid feeding gerbils cooked food. Alternatively, you can feed them a specially formulated gerbil mix with fruit and vegetables.
You should be aware that gerbils need magnesium to function properly. In fact, if you feed them a diet low in magnesium, they are prone to seizures. These seizures have complex medical origins and can become worse if a gerbil is not given enough magnesium. Furthermore, if a gerbil is introduced to a new environment with a low-magnesium diet, it will likely suffer from seizures more often.
They need a low-protein diet
Ideally, your gerbil should eat a diet with a low-protein level. A commercial gerbil food will contain a minimum of 14% protein. If it contains less than that, supplement the food with additional sources of protein. While some sources recommend a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, you should also avoid feeding your gerbil more than that amount of protein.
In the wild, gerbils eat mostly dry seeds that are only used as emergency rations. They also eat fresh plant material and insects, but their diet should also include some animal protein. Ideally, your gerbil should be fed about 5 grams of a gerbil mix per day to avoid obesity. Gerbils who become overweight are at an increased risk of developing hyperglycemia and islet cell hyperplasia.
They don’t need much fat
If you have a gerbil in your home, you probably have noticed that they don’t need a lot of fat in their diet. These little animals have evolved from central Asian grasslands. They are self-reliant and will often eat their own poop. Because of this, you need to be careful about feeding your pet a high-fat diet. High-fat diets can contribute to obesity, increased cholesterol levels, and heart disease. Too much fat can also render female gerbils sterile. On the other hand, a high-protein diet can result in kidney stones, skin lesions, and liver damage. Low-protein diets can also stunt growth and cause young gerbils to become stunted.
Another good source of fat for your gerbil is seeds. Sunflower seeds are high in fat, and your gerbil may be tempted to pick one out. Sunflower seeds are also high in fat and can pile on pounds, so be careful about putting them in your pet’s bowl. Sunflower seeds are high in fat, but gerbils do not need them. You can try sunflower seeds and linseed. These foods are very healthy for gerbils and help to promote healthy skin.
They can eat bread
In moderation, gerbils can eat bread. However, wholemeal bread is a better choice because it is lower in sugar and salt. This is good news for your gerbil’s health. It also has nutritional value. The seeds on wholemeal bread are particularly good for your gerbil, as they contain a large amount of fat and protein. Moreover, gerbils can also enjoy the crunch of wholegrain bread, which contains flakes made of malted wheat.
Although gerbils can eat bread, you must keep in mind that it is not the healthiest option. White bread is high in salt and sugar, which are not healthy for gerbils. In addition, wholemeal and granary bread are higher in vitamins and minerals. Although bread is suitable for gerbils, it should only be fed occasionally. Ideally, they should be fed a gerbil food mix.
They don’t need much fiber
A high-fiber gerbil food is best. Gerbils can’t get enough fiber in their diet if they eat only one type of pellet. It will also keep their teeth filed down and provide a good staple gerbil diet. Some pellets contain as much as 3% fiber, which is plenty for gerbils. While many brands are available, Oxbow’s Healthy Handfuls is one of the most popular.
Hamsters and gerbils share the same nutritional needs, although they do have different digestive systems. Although they both need high fiber diets, gerbils are not likely to benefit from them as much as hamsters. Hamsters, for example, can eat gerbil food pellets, but they aren’t as active as gerbils. It’s best to avoid the commercially available pellets unless you’re sure you’ll be giving your gerbils a diet that contains too much fiber.
