Gerbils eat a commercial gerbil seed-and-pellet mix as their main food, with small amounts of fresh vegetables, occasional fruit, hay, and a little extra protein. They should never get rhubarb, chocolate, onions, or other unsafe foods, and they need fresh water every day.
The Base Diet
Choose a gerbil-specific mix or lab block rather than a generic seed blend. Many care guides suggest looking for roughly 14% protein and about 6–8% fat. Sunflower seeds are tasty but fatty, so a mix heavy in them can lead to weight gain. Feed about once a day, and scatter the food on the floor so your gerbil can forage the way it would in the wild. Our guides to the best gerbil food and gerbil food pellets can help you choose.
Fresh Foods
- Daily vegetables: Timothy hay, kale, romaine, broccoli, peas, and cooked sweet potato. Carrots and corn are fine in small amounts.
- Fruit, every other day at most: tiny bite-sized pieces of apple, pear, melon, or blueberries.
- Grains in moderation: plain oats, millet, or dry pasta.
Introduce new foods one at a time and in small amounts. Gerbils are used to dry foods, and sudden changes or too much fresh produce can cause loose stools.
Protein Extras
A little extra protein now and then is helpful, especially if your mix is on the low side. Options include boiled egg and insects such as mealworms or crickets. See our article on mealworms for gerbils for portion ideas.
Treats
Pumpkin seeds, plain oats, and small bits of fresh fruit or vegetable make good treats. Commercial treats often contain extra fat and sugar, so save them for special occasions. For more ideas, see gerbil treats.
Foods to Avoid
- Rhubarb (including the leaves), which is toxic
- Chocolate, candy, and sugary human snacks
- Onions and raw or dried beans, including raw kidney beans
- Grapes and citrus fruits
- Raw potato and anything salty, fried, or heavily processed
- Avocado
If you are unsure about a food, check with a vet who treats small exotic pets before offering it.
Water
Provide fresh water at all times, ideally in an upright bottle with a metal sipper tube. Change it daily and clean the tube regularly. Gerbils drink little, but they still need constant access.
Hoarded Food
Gerbils stash food in their bedding, and fresh items can spoil. Spot-clean the cage regularly and remove hidden fresh food so it does not rot.
Bottom Line
Build the diet around a quality gerbil seed-and-pellet mix, add small amounts of vegetables, occasional fruit, and a bit of protein, and avoid rhubarb, chocolate, onions, beans, grapes, and citrus. Keep fresh water available and watch your gerbil’s weight.
This article is for general information and is not veterinary advice. If your gerbil stops eating, loses weight, or has diarrhea, call a vet experienced with small exotic pets.
