A gerbil’s diet is very simple. They just need a food mix for everyday, and giving them a few treats will only make them love you more ! However, don’t give them too many treats as they may get fat.
Place food in a small ceramic bow and daily remove uneaten food. I don't recommend scattering food as it may rot in some corner and it wouldn't be enjoyable for your gerbil to find an old piece of food in her nest !
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Food mixes:
When choosing your gerbil’s food mix, you must follow some rules about the % of proteins, fat sugar… I’ve been through this, and trust me, it is pretty complicated ! So down below I listed my two favorite brands, because they are very healthy and I know from personal experience gerbils like them.
Treats:
Gerbils love treats, and to reinforce your relationship with your gerbil (beware that this relation is mostly food based) giving them a few treats is great. But keep it to a maximum of 1 or 2 treats a day to prevent obesity.
Fresh fruits and veggies:
Seeds:
pumpkin seeds are the best treats in my opinion because they have very low fat and gerbils love them. You can also give them sunflower seeds and peanuts (without salt obviously). Don’t give them too many sunflower seeds and peanuts as they are very fattening. You can find all these seeds in any supermarket or grocery store. Try getting organic seeds, they are much healthier.
When choosing your gerbil’s food mix, you must follow some rules about the % of proteins, fat sugar… I’ve been through this, and trust me, it is pretty complicated ! So down below I listed my two favorite brands, because they are very healthy and I know from personal experience gerbils like them.
- In the UK, the best you can find is the “gerri gerbil complete muesli”. I recommend you take off the pumpkin seeds in this mix: you can use them as treats.
- In the US, the “Kaytee” brand has a very good reputation
Treats:
Gerbils love treats, and to reinforce your relationship with your gerbil (beware that this relation is mostly food based) giving them a few treats is great. But keep it to a maximum of 1 or 2 treats a day to prevent obesity.
Fresh fruits and veggies:
- apple, carrots and broccoli make great treats for gerbils. You shouldn’t exceed one or two small pieces per week to avoid diarrhea.
- Avoid lettuces, as the nitrates can prevent oxygenation of the blood, and citrus fruits. Sugary treats are bad for gerbils; they rot the teeth and the sugar is hard for a gerbil to digest. Lastly, do not feed your gerbils food with high water content, such as celery or watermelon, as the water will cause the gerbil to have the runs, or "wet-tail" as it is commonly known.
- Never buy treats from pet shops, they usually are VERY unhealthy.
Seeds:
pumpkin seeds are the best treats in my opinion because they have very low fat and gerbils love them. You can also give them sunflower seeds and peanuts (without salt obviously). Don’t give them too many sunflower seeds and peanuts as they are very fattening. You can find all these seeds in any supermarket or grocery store. Try getting organic seeds, they are much healthier.
SIGNS OF ILLNESS:
Gerbils are small animals that do not express pain like we do. We must be alert to any sign of illness from them. Signs of a gerbil in poor health: - the gerbil is isolated and less active than usual - Her fur is greasy and has upside - Her eyes are slightly closed even when she is awake. - She moves with difficulty, is unbalanced - She licks you intensely and / or nibbles (this can be an expression of suffering) - Her body is cold - She doesn’t eat/drink |
If your gerbil shows one of those symptoms, check if:
- Does she urinate + poo normally? Does she have diarrhea? Is there blood in the poop / urine (to know that you can isolate her a moment on paper towels)?
- Is her fur dirty?
- Is a part of her body inflated?
- Look at her teeth, does your gerbil eat?
- Is there or has there been an injury?
- Is her belly abnormally hard?
- Is his head tilted?
- Does she have problems for walking?
-Does she scratch herself? Do you see any parasites?
If your gerbil shows one or more of these signs of illness consult a vet as quickly as possible.
If your gerbil has an open wound, take her to the vet ! However, if you can’t, use a cotton pad and gently dab the wound with a bit of hydrogen peroxide or children disinfectant to help clean it.
- Does she urinate + poo normally? Does she have diarrhea? Is there blood in the poop / urine (to know that you can isolate her a moment on paper towels)?
- Is her fur dirty?
- Is a part of her body inflated?
- Look at her teeth, does your gerbil eat?
- Is there or has there been an injury?
- Is her belly abnormally hard?
- Is his head tilted?
- Does she have problems for walking?
-Does she scratch herself? Do you see any parasites?
If your gerbil shows one or more of these signs of illness consult a vet as quickly as possible.
If your gerbil has an open wound, take her to the vet ! However, if you can’t, use a cotton pad and gently dab the wound with a bit of hydrogen peroxide or children disinfectant to help clean it.