These sociable, amusing, and endearing rodents are excellent companions for children learning to care for pets. However, giving your gerbil the right nutrients is critical to ensuring that they live a long, healthy, and happy life.
Different Options to Feed Your Pet Gerbil
Seed Mixes: These are loose seed combinations that may include pellets or dried vegetables and fruits. The majority of these will be nutritionally balanced, but only if your gerbil consumes all of the ingredients. Unfortunately, many gerbils may select their favorite things and leave the remainder of the mixture in their bowl, which might result in a dietary imbalance if certain components are frequently avoided by your gerbils. This is especially true if there are a lot of sunflower seeds in the mix (which gerbils love but are extremely fatty), and sunflower seeds alone aren't a balanced diet. Loose seed combinations aren't good for use as your gerbil's main food because they don't provide a complete and balanced diet until all of the contents are consumed.
Pellets and Lab Blocks (Pellets and Lab Blocks): The advantage of these gerbil diets is that they are nutritionally balanced. Pellets are little pellets, while lab blocks are larger food bits that look like small biscuits. Both are good choices, but some people say the lab blocks are the best because of the extensive scientific research that has gone into them. The gerbils can't pick and choose which parts of the diet they want to consume like they can with loose combinations, so the blocks and pellets ensure a balanced diet in every bite. This type of diet, on the other hand, provides little diversity and enrichment. As a result, while pellets and lab blocks provide an excellent core diet, it's still a good idea to supplement with additional meals for mental health.
What Is the Best Gerbil Food?
The disadvantages of different types of diets can be mitigated by feeding pet gerbils a combination of foods. A pelleted or lab block diet can provide a well-balanced meal for your gerbil, while loose seed mix and other goodies give variety and interest. Before offering your gerbil the seed combination or other treats, make sure they've consumed enough pellets or lab blocks to reap the nutritional benefits. Avoiding sunflower seed combinations altogether and saving them for special treats can be extremely beneficial in taming and training your pet gerbil.
Gerbils' Favorite Treats
Fruits and vegetables are popular among gerbils. To avoid diarrhea from eating too much at once, start with tiny amounts of fresh veggies or fruits. Ensure that all veggies and fruits have been thoroughly washed and are free of pesticides. Carrots, broccoli, dandelion greens, apples, and berries are all good options. Raw kidney beans, raw potato, onion, potato leaves, and rhubarb leaves should all be avoided.
Nuts can be served, but do it in moderation because they are heavy in fat.
Because sunflower and pumpkin seeds are heavy in fat, they should be used sparingly.
Plain or toasted whole-grain bread can be served.
Gerbils frequently choose unsweetened morning cereal as a favorite treat.
Give them currants and raisins.
Serve little pieces of cheese to them.
Small amounts of scrambled or cooked eggs can be served.
Try giving your gerbil mealworms once in a while.
Some gerbils like to munch on little dog bones.
What Should You Feed Your Gerbil?
Your best chance for feeding your gerbil is to use a strong ceramic crock that they won't be able to gnaw or tip over. Place the lab blocks or pelleted diet in the dish and, if preferred, a spoonful of seed mixture. Once you've got a sense of how much your gerbil eats, feed them an amount that they'll finish in 24 hours (but not too little), and remove any uneaten food before feeding them again in case it's damp or soiled. Establish a feeding schedule for your gerbils so that they are fed at roughly the same time each day (the evening works well).
Treats should be fed in a separate bowl and removed after a couple of hours if not consumed to avoid spoiling. Alternatively, you can hand-feed snacks. This is an excellent method for gaining your gerbil's trust.
Is it necessary for gerbils to drink freshwater?
Gerbils do not require a lot of water because they originate from Mongolia, which has a dry climate. Despite this, don't make the mistake of dismissing the importance of water. Make sure your gerbil has a sipper bottle full of fresh, clean water at all times.
Read next: What Causes Dogs to Chase Their Tails?
Comments