They may also help prevent disease. However, an occasional (healthy) snack can bring a little bit of variation in the diet. So, pet gerbils can eat wild berries too. The nutritional value of pellets can be compared with that of other types of pet food. But blackberries and raspberries can also help to add a small amount of magnesium to the diet. They contain protein from plant sources, such as seeds, nuts, and soy meal. Protein is an integral part of a gerbils diet. Offer a wide variety, as different insects have different nutrient profiles. Thanks for letting us know We wanna be safe and sure! Of course, this doesn't mean you should consume whole boxes of raisins whenever you want. Avoid bread made from tomato, onion, or garlic. According to the bookNutrient Requirements of Laboratory Animals, the amount of calcium that gerbils need is 5.0g/kg diet and the amount of phosphorus is 3.0g/kg diet. These are edible too. What you want to avoid are pellet blocks since these are not easy to break up, nor are they easy to gnaw on. Mealworm and darkling beetles are not poisonous, so you dont need to worry if your gerbil eats one. Feed your gerbil no more than 1 to 2 insects per day. A couple of licks of the jam of your finger are not going to kill them but feeding it to them daily or even weekly is not good for their health. When a gerbil eats too many watery foods, it can experience diarrhea. From cuddly rabbits to energetic hamsters, on The Pet Savvy you can learn about the different types of small pets and how to care for them. Cheese can be incorporated into a healthy diet if you have diabetes. Your gerbils should be able to get at least 3-5 milliliters of water per day. Also, know when to feed gerbils and the type of nutrients that gerbils require. The United States Department of Agriculture reported that two glasses of cranberry juice per day could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. These could grow into flies in your gerbilarium. Your gerbil Snacks and Treats to Avoid. Chins can become obese, which can lead to a number of health issues. But before you go out and buy a food mix for your pet, remember to read the packaging for these items in it. Raisins are a fruit, and like other types of fruit, it does include natural sugar. This is good for your pet gerbils teeth, and gerbils enjoy chewy tough foods. All rights reserved. (Toxicity of Persin to Gerbils)Continue. In the wild, gerbils eat insects. Canned fruits contain extra sugar or salt, color, preservatives, and many other ingredients that may be harmful to pets in general. If your gerbil starts showing signs of illness after eating cranberries, take them to the vet right away. Do Gerbils Hide Their Food: How Long Can They Go without It? Theyre cheap, easy to get hold of, and a great source of nutrition. They will be happy chewing on their seed stashes and anything else they are given in their cage. For most adults living with diabetes, an A1C level of less than 7% is a common treatment target. If your gerbil ate a small amount of cranberry, it will probably be fine. Giving your bird or other pet a diet high in sugar should be avoided. The answer is both yes and no. He has a wealth of experience in caring for a variety of small animals, including gerbils, degus, guinea pigs, hamsters and chinchillas. Berries contain the right proportion of carbohydrates to proteins and fats. (Toxicity of Persin to Gerbils), Do Gerbils Need a Wheel? They'll eat most plant-based foods, though some are better for them than others. Some berries have worms in them from fruit flies. This included dry grass, roots, plants, and dried flowers, as well as insects and larvae. But be sure to remove the seeds before feeding your gerbils, as . Wash the food before offering it, and remove any uneaten foods by the end of the day so it doesn't spoil. Thats a big nono, Cranberry juice has too much sugar for your gerbil and can cause health problems. Any amount more than that will contribute to a diet that can make your gerbil gain weight. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. It is essential to understand the specific nuts, seeds, grains, and twigs that gerbils can feed on. The main focus of a gerbils diet should be a mixture of grains, seeds, nuts, and vegetables. However, that doesnt mean that you should feed your gerbil berries every day. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. For most people living with diabetes, sugar-free sodas are safe in moderation. It can also become filled with droppings by accident and get contaminated with bacteria. Be sure that all portions are cut up so they arent considered a choking hazard. Only use sulfite-free dried fruits for birds and avoid any fruit preservatives. Strawberries can not be offered to gerbils as a part of their main diet. Gerbils should only eat a small bite-sized piece ( up to one teaspoon) of fresh berries per gerbil per serving. Feed superworms alongside mealworms, wax worms, and crickets for variety. These types of hamsters can eat a very small amount of cranberries on a rare occasion as a treat. If there hasn't been any change in a few days, it's time to give your vet . If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. All in all, its best to just not feed your gerbil cranberries at all. Weight gain starts with giving fatty foods that are too high in sugar or fat content. However, their protein content is lower than mealworms. But if there is food that does have a toxic effect, its often because too much of it was given. Gerbils, Chestnuts are a kind of nut that's popular during the winter. You can enrich your pet gerbils diet by offering them occasional insects as a treat. There are also several ways to feed berries to gerbils (fresh, dried, dehydrated) and some are better than others.Table of ContentsDo Gerbils Eat Berries in the Wild?Nutritional Value of Berries (Analysis)Blackberries (FoodData)Blueberries (FoodData)Raspberries (FoodData)Strawberries (FoodData)Red and white currants (FoodData)Blackcurrants (FoodData)FiberMineralsVitaminsWaterSugarCalcium to phosphorus ratio of berriesCan Gerbils Eat Berries? Continue with Recommended Cookies. Most berries have a bad calcium to phosphorus ratio of up to [1]:[2], which indicates that it isnt good as part of the main diet. The quick answer is YES you can feed them to your rabbit but with a few conditions. They arent harmful to gerbils. One every few days should be more than enough. Because dried cranberries may contain a different spectrum of polyphenolics than juice, consuming berries may or may not be more beneficial than juice in decreasing the incidence of UTIs in susceptible women. Whether raw, cooked, or dried, cranberries are non-toxic to cats, and while eating too many can upset a cat's stomach or give them diarrhea, it won't do long-lasting harm. Dried or dehydrated berriesshould be limited to onlyonce every two weeksoronce a month. Since they are opportunistic rodents, part of their daily intake and diet consists of plants, seeds, and meat. Bread is a staple food in many cultures. Its best to move your gerbil into a separate enclosure when feeding them live insects. Therefore, only feed strawberries as a treat once a week. Dried fruits and vegetables are high in sugar because chinchillas require a low moisture diet. Avoid citrus fruits, avocados, kidney beans, onion, shallots, and dandelion. Seeds are an important part of a gerbils diet because they contain a lot of vitamins and minerals. Scoop out half a teaspoon and put this in their food bowl. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low. You and your gerbils can eat them in different ways: You can also mix berries into juice, but juice is low in fiber and high in sugar and should be avoided. Its stool becomes loose because it has too much water in its digestive system. Most herbs and vegetables are better alternatives to feed more regularly. Apples are one of the most commonly eaten fruits. Gerbils arent used to eating many sugary foods and their sugar intake should be limited. Gerbils can eat both. Strawberries are the quintessential berry. Ground corn, Soybean meal, Ground wheat, Oat groats, Squash seeds, Dried bananas, Dried papaya, Dried pineapple, Dried coconut, Dried cranberries, Sugar, Safflower seeds, Corn gluten meal, Ground flaxseeds, Dicalcium phosphate, Dried cane molasses, Dried beet molasses, Wheat germ meal, Calcium carbonate, Vegetable oil (preserved with mixed . Gerbils can eat fresh and dried berries but only as a treat. So if your gerbil refuses one type, there are plenty more you can try. Berries wont do that. It comes in various forms, including loaves, rolls, bagels, and flatbreads, such as tortillas. As most fruits and dried fruit have higher sugar content, you should only give these to a gerbil once a week. Listed below are some protein rich foods that you can feed your hamster. Especially fresh cranberries contain a lot of water and this can cause problems for your gerbils digestive system. Try to avoid snack mixes that have too many dried fruits and nuts that can be too fatty or high in natural sugars. And gerbils need a variety of minerals and vitamins, not only those found in berries. Strawberries are too rich in water for gerbils and can give them digestion problems and potentially diarrhea. In the wild, they feed on many things, such as . Peanuts and peanut butter have a low glycemic index, which means they dont cause blood sugar to rise sharply. Gerbils are desert animals and they naturally feed on seeds and grasses. Despite their name, theyre not botanically a berry; theyre a kind of aggregate fruit. Berries are high in sugar, so they have lots of calories for their size. Giving dried or dehydrated berries is not recommended because of their large percentage of sugar. [Gerbil Tail Slip Prevention Guide]. Blackberries are made of tiny individual berries forming a larger Wheat. For optimal health, feed your gerbil a range of different insects. Insects are an essential part of a wild gerbils diet. (Fresh, Dried and Dehydrated)Continue. Can Gerbils Eat Pears? Insects are the main food source for many reptiles, like geckos and bearded dragons. Most berries have roughly the same nutritional profile: Most of Obviously, it would be better to have somebody check on them if you have a roommate or friend near your home. Depending on the time of year and their region, gerbils will also eat fruit and insects when theyre available. Can gerbils eat shrimp? Cranberries are not toxic to gerbils, but they are not a necessary part of their diet either. If you are unsure about the nutritional value of these foods, read gerbil forums to learn more about gerbil-safe food.