There are some great gerbil foods for your pet. Some of these foods are Eggshells, Mealworms, Popcorn, and Carrots. The size of the portion is dependent on the size of your gerbil. However, you should divide the serving size into three to four smaller meals throughout the day. Fresh fruit and vegetable is another great food for gerbils, but be sure to only give them a teaspoon or so twice a week to avoid causing excess moisture to their stomach.
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Eggshells
Many people think eggs are healthy for people, but most people don’t feed eggs to their pets. While gerbils can eat scrambled or boiled eggs, they may not recognize the eggshell as food. Eggshells are a good source of calcium and other nutrients that help the teeth of gerbils stay clean. Eggshells can be ground up and added to your gerbil’s regular food. However, be careful not to give your gerbil raw eggs, as this can be a choking hazard.
Mealworms
Mealworms are a natural favorite of many gerbils. Known as Tenebrio, mealworms are the larvae of the black beetle. They are black and brown in color, rarely fly, and have a long, slow life cycle. Mealworms go through a transformation stage during which they turn from worms to pupae. The pupae are usually white or yellow and motionless, with only the tail moving when disturbed. However, you should not give your gerbil mealworms as they are in the form of pupae.
Popcorn
Corn is one of a gerbil’s favorite foods, and they will eat cooked or raw kernels. In the wild, gerbils do not eat cooked food, as the process changes the nutritional value. You can season your own popcorn for your gerbil by using salt, sugar, or oil. For the best results, try to avoid giving your gerbil popcorn with salt and oil.
Carrots
Carrots are an excellent source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant. Carrots also contain a wide variety of health-supporting nutrients. Gerbils can enjoy both the tops and flesh of carrots. Carrots are not the only source of dietary fiber, so you can give your gerbil a mix of carrots and seeds. You can also offer your gerbil bananas or apples.
Apples
One of the best treats for a gerbil is an apple. Apples have a large amount of sugar. Gerbils can only process small amounts of sugar in a day, and too much sugar will lead to a number of health issues. However, apples make a great snack if you give them small amounts. Here are some suggestions for feeding apples to gerbils. A fresh apple will give your gerbil plenty of chewing opportunities.
Bananas
While gerbils are not particularly picky eaters, they do prefer bananas over other foods. This is not to say that they don’t enjoy other types of foods – they simply prefer sweet, soft fruit like bananas. Because gerbils are native to arid habitats, they are often called desert rats. However, the food they eat should be provided in moderation. Fresh bananas contain 12% sugar per piece, and dried bananas have a lot more sugar. Moreover, too much sugar can cause digestive issues and can even affect their teeth. The ratio of calcium and phosphorus is important for rodents and humans alike, so gerbils should get at least 5.0g of calcium per kilogram of body weight and three grams of phosphorus.
Cabbage
The nutritional value of cabbage is excellent. It is a low-calorie vegetable that contains 80% carbs, 15% protein, and 5% fat. It is also a great source of vitamin C and fibre, both of which are needed by gerbils. While it has a strong flavor, cabbage is not overly acidic or high in fat, which can cause cardiac problems and inflammation. A cup of raw cabbage a day is sufficient to satisfy the needs of a gerbil.
Cucumber
One of the most common vegetables your gerbil will love is cucumber. Cucumber is a long, green fruit with watery flesh. It is popular in pickles and salads, and is actually a member of the gourd family. This vegetable is native to the Chinese Himalayas, but is rare elsewhere. Cucumber contains fat, calcium, salt, and water. It can be sliced and cooked for your gerbil.
