Despite the species’ origins in Mongolia, gerbils are little animals kept as household pets worldwide. Gerbils are among the most well-liked pets in the world currently, given that people have been adopting them as domestic pets for years. It’s crucial to understand what these tiny creatures consume and what they don’t if you’re interested in owning them.
Nuts
Gerbils love nuts, but you must be mindful about which ones you give them. Generally, nuts are a safe food, but there are differences between the kinds of nuts humans and gerbils can consume. Brazil nuts, peanuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, pistachios, and pecans are beneficial for gerbils when consumed in moderation. However, many packaged nuts in conventional grocery shops are made in methods that are risky for gerbils. Salted, cooked, or flavored nuts are frequently harmful and occasionally fatal to gerbils. The least offensive of the aforementioned is cooked nuts, which are still bad for gerbils kept as pets. The second-worst kind of nut to feed to a gerbil is salted, while flavor-infused nuts top the list.
Seeds
Another nutritious food that gerbils like is seeds. Gerbils can be fed soft-shelled seeds with the shells still on. Much like they do while eating seeds in their natural setting, gerbils can chew into them and grind down their continuously growing teeth in the process. For gerbils, seeds of grasses, bulbs, & herbs are all very healthful, as are seeds of sesame, pumpkin, and sunflower. But many packaged seeds in supermarkets are processed in ways that render them unhealthy for gerbils, just like nuts. Salted seeds, cooked seeds, flavor-infused seeds, and fruit seeds are among the seeds that gerbils shouldn’t consume (most fruit seeds tend to be poisonous to gerbils). To ensure that the seeds are plain, raw, & devoid of cooking, salt, and seasoning when serving your gerbils seeds from the supermarket, it is usually a good idea to study the label and ingredient list.
Fruits and vegetables
Some owners add fruits and vegetables to their gerbil meals as a supplement. Fruits and vegetables are considered more of a delight than a requirement because pet food frequently contains the essential nutrients a gerbil requires to survive. However, your gerbils will enjoy eating carrots, pears, bananas, berries, and other fruits and vegetables. When administered in the proper quantities and care can maintain your gerbil’s health.
Water
Gerbils are desert animals with highly effective kidneys. While they depend on the liquids inside the plants they consume and don’t drink any stagnant water in the wild, you must provide them with plenty of access to fresh water. The ideal approach to give your pet gerbil water is in a sipper bottle since it won’t be soiled with food or feces. It is ideal to empty and refill your water bottle with fresh water daily, then toss it in the dishwasher once a week.
Finally, pre-made mixes in stores make excellent gerbil food and should make up the bulk of a gerbil’s diet. However, the best gerbil meal mixtures should have a lot of different types and amounts of seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
