What do gerbils eat? Here are some tips. Gerbils should eat clean, unprocessed food, free from pesticides. Raw vegetables such as potato, rhubarb leaves, and kidney beans are not advisable, as they are high in fat. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds are excellent treats for gerbils, and you can offer them whole grain bread. They will love it!
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Fruits and vegetables
Gerbils enjoy a variety of foods and are particularly fond of commercial seed mixtures. You can purchase a variety of seeds and other prepackaged foods that include cereal for added nutritional value. Gerbils like larger seeds and will progressively nibble at the smaller ones in the mix. Nevertheless, avoid feeding your gerbil large amounts of corn or any other second-rate sources of nutrients.
Mealworms
Mealworms, also known as Tenebrio, are the larvae of a black beetle. They are usually black or dark brown in color and do not fly. These slow moving insects are very nutritious for gerbils, although the pupa stage is dangerous. Mealworms are motionless and only move their tail when disturbed. If you are thinking about giving mealworms to your gerbil, you should first read up on what these insects are.
Extruded foods
Extruded foods for gerbil are a great way to add extra nutrition to your pet’s diet. They contain all the nutrients your hamster or gerbil needs to stay healthy and active. Little friends Extruded Hamster and Gerbil Food is one example of a great option. The food is extruded to give it a unique texture and consistency, and the yucca extract in it controls odour.
Lab blocks
Gerbils need a consistent diet. Lab blocks or loose pellets are good choices. Gerbils need five to ten grams of food each day. Feed your gerbils on the same schedule each day, so they will know when to expect food. Also, make sure to remove any uneaten food before feeding them. This way, the pellets will be less likely to get wet or dirty.
Uncooked rice
While cooked rice is the most common staple food, uncooked rice is also a viable alternative. Rice is already soaked in water, so it won’t expand during storage. Rice is an adequate snack for gerbils, but it’s not a good choice for a full meal. Rice lacks protein and some essential vitamins and minerals, making it not suitable for constant feeding. As a snack, rice is best fed sparingly, along with other food.
Carrots
Carrots are a good source of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant and beneficial to the health of gerbils. Along with beta-carotene, carrots contain a variety of health-supporting nutrients. You can feed your gerbils carrots or a mixture of grated and crushed carrots. Other healthy foods to give your gerbils include apples and bananas.
Cheese
If you have ever wondered if cheese is good for your gerbil, you aren’t alone. The cheese we eat is one of the most popular treats for gerbils. While it has no specific health benefits for gerbils, it does have a few potential side effects that may make it unsuitable for gerbils. First of all, cheese contains lots of fat and protein, and too much of either of those can be harmful to your gerbil. Second, while gerbils don’t need much protein from cheese, they can get plenty of magnesium from other sources, so it doesn’t need to be added to their diet.
