What to feed a gerbil
February 12th 2011 16:12
When choosing a diet for a pet gerbil, you want to make sure that you find a diet that consists of at least 16-20% proteins. You will find that most commercial diets will have around 12% proteins, so in that case, you'll want to find another gerbil diet or find an additive to include in the diet.
Now, that you know the protein percent, you'll want to be aware that you can purchase either a seed mix or a block. The seed mixes are a great balanced diet only if the gerbil eats the entire portion, but most will pick out what they like and not eat the rest. The block foods, are nutritionally balanced and the gerbil can't pick what he wants to eat, as it is all or nothing.
Although the block food doesn't look as appealing as the seed mixes, this food is actually better, as it is nutritionally balanced and it helps wear down the gerbil's teeth. You can always add a little seed mix into the gerbil block if you want to give your gerbil a little extra.
You may want to consider giving your gerbil, fresh vegetables and fruits as treats. Just make sure that treats do not exceed more than 10% of the normal diet.
Healthy treats for gerbils include carrots, broccoli, apples, berries, and dandelion greens. You do not want to offer raw kidney beans, potatoes, onions, potatoes leaves, or rhubarb leaves. Keep in mind that most nuts are going to be fatty, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are fatty, cheese is fine only on occassion but not frequently, and small amounts of cooks eggs are fine.
Make sure that you only give your gerbil a small handful of food a day, and ensure that you give the gerbil fresh food daily. You don't want the gerbil food to get stale or moldy.
Now, that you know the protein percent, you'll want to be aware that you can purchase either a seed mix or a block. The seed mixes are a great balanced diet only if the gerbil eats the entire portion, but most will pick out what they like and not eat the rest. The block foods, are nutritionally balanced and the gerbil can't pick what he wants to eat, as it is all or nothing.
Although the block food doesn't look as appealing as the seed mixes, this food is actually better, as it is nutritionally balanced and it helps wear down the gerbil's teeth. You can always add a little seed mix into the gerbil block if you want to give your gerbil a little extra.
You may want to consider giving your gerbil, fresh vegetables and fruits as treats. Just make sure that treats do not exceed more than 10% of the normal diet.
Healthy treats for gerbils include carrots, broccoli, apples, berries, and dandelion greens. You do not want to offer raw kidney beans, potatoes, onions, potatoes leaves, or rhubarb leaves. Keep in mind that most nuts are going to be fatty, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are fatty, cheese is fine only on occassion but not frequently, and small amounts of cooks eggs are fine.
Make sure that you only give your gerbil a small handful of food a day, and ensure that you give the gerbil fresh food daily. You don't want the gerbil food to get stale or moldy.
| 20 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
