Bushra Griffith
Gerbils have very different dietary requirements from humans, and it is important to know what they can and cannot eat. While gerbils can eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, dairy products such as cheese should be avoided as gerbils cannot easily digest lactose. However, some sources suggest that a tiny crumb of cheese can be given as a rare treat.
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What You'll Learn
Gerbils can't digest cheese, it may upset their stomachs
Gerbils have sensitive digestive systems, and while they may enjoy cheese, it is not something that is good for them. Lactose is hard for gerbils to digest, and it may cause an upset stomach. Therefore, cheese should only be given to gerbils in very small amounts, and even then, only on rare occasions.
The core of a gerbil's diet should be a high-quality commercial gerbil food, a breeder-developed formula, or a home recipe from a reliable source. Gerbil food should have a minimum of 14% protein. Many commercial formulas labelled "Hamster and Gerbil Food" contain less than 14% protein, which is okay for hamsters but not gerbils. Some commercial rabbit food mixes contain antibiotics that gerbils should avoid.
A gerbil's diet should also include a mix of grains and seeds such as pumpkin and sunflower seeds. However, sunflower seeds are high in fat, so they are best given as an occasional treat rather than a staple of their diet. In addition to seeds, gerbils can benefit from small amounts of timothy hay, green vegetables, and fruits.
It is important to gradually introduce new foods into a gerbil's diet, starting with small amounts a few times a week and gradually increasing the frequency. Gerbils can be offered a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples, bananas, carrots, and broccoli. However, it is crucial to avoid certain foods that can be harmful to gerbils, such as citrus fruits, avocado, rhubarb, and onion.
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Cheese can be given to gerbils in small doses as a treat
Gerbils have very specific dietary requirements, and owners should be careful about what they feed them. The core of a gerbil's diet should be a high-quality commercial gerbil food, a breeder-developed formula, or a home recipe from a reliable source. Gerbil food should have a minimum of 14% protein.
Gerbils can also eat small amounts of timothy hay, green vegetables, and fruits. They can be given raw lettuce, kale, beet greens, swiss chard, spinach, cooked sweet potato or broccoli, a blueberry, strawberry, or a bit of apple, and even an occasional piece of cooked pasta. Gerbils should not be given citrus fruit, avocado, rhubarb, kidney beans, onions, or apple seeds.
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Cheddar cheese can be given to gerbils about once per month
Gerbils have sensitive digestive systems and are lactose intolerant. Therefore, they cannot digest cheese, and it may give them an upset stomach. However, they can have small amounts of cheese as an occasional treat, about once or twice a month. It is best to give them a standard cheese like cheddar or Swiss.
In the wild, gerbils feed on seeds, grasses, roots, nuts, and some small insects. In captivity, their primary diet should be a high-quality commercial gerbil food, a breeder-developed formula, or a home recipe from a reliable source. This food should be formulated to meet their biological needs and contain all the nutrients and minerals they require. It should have a minimum of 14% protein and include a mix of grains and seeds such as pumpkin and sunflower seeds.
Gerbils can also eat certain fruits and vegetables, but these should be introduced gradually to avoid upsetting their stomachs. Safe fruits include blueberries, strawberries, apples, pears, melon, and oranges. They can also have small amounts of timothy hay and green vegetables such as raw romaine lettuce, kale, beet greens, Swiss chard, and spinach.
It is important to monitor gerbils' food intake and watch for any changes in their eating habits, as this can indicate health issues. It is also crucial to remove stale food from their habitat daily, as gerbils hoard food and may eat stale items that could make them sick.
While cheese can be a tasty treat for gerbils, it should only be given occasionally and in small amounts due to its high-fat content and the difficulty gerbils have digesting lactose.
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Gerbils should have a diet of at least 14% protein
Gerbils are energetic pets that require a lot of engagement and activity. They need to have things to chew on, and they also need constant access to clean, fresh water.
Gerbils should be fed once a day, and their diet should consist of a main diet that is low in fibre, with a protein content of between 12 and 16 per cent and a fat content of between 6 and 9 per cent. The main diet will contain all the vitamins and minerals that gerbils need. However, it is important to note that gerbils can get sick from too much fat and protein, so the diet should be carefully managed.
Young gerbils will need a diet with a protein content of at least 16 per cent and a maximum of 20 per cent. A diet with less than 15 per cent protein can stunt the growth of young gerbils. On the other hand, high amounts of protein (more than 20 per cent) can cause liver damage, kidney stones, and skin lesions. Therefore, it is recommended that gerbils have a diet of at least 14 per cent protein to ensure adequate growth and development.
Gerbils can develop their own vitamin C, so this does not need to be included in their diet. However, vitamin and mineral supplements can be provided in rare cases to help prevent certain diseases. Gerbils can also eat small amounts of hay, green vegetables, and fruits. It is important to introduce new foods gradually to avoid upsetting their stomachs.
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Gerbils can eat small amounts of fruits and vegetables
Gerbils have very different dietary requirements from humans, and it's important to be aware of what they can and can't eat. While gerbils can eat small amounts of fruits and vegetables, it's important to be mindful of what these are, as some are toxic to gerbils.
The core of a gerbil's diet should be a high-quality commercial gerbil food, a breeder-developed formula, or a home recipe from a reliable source. Gerbil food should have a minimum of 14% protein. Many commercial formulas labelled "Hamster and Gerbil Food" contain less than 14% protein, which is fine for hamsters but not sufficient for gerbils. Some commercial rabbit food mixes contain antibiotics that gerbils shouldn’t have. A good rule of thumb is to give your gerbil one tablespoon of commercial gerbil food, a small amount of fresh fruits and vegetables, and a small amount of seeds or nuts each day.
It's important to note that gerbils have sensitive digestive systems and cannot digest dairy products, including cheese, due to the lactose content. While some sources suggest that cheese is okay for gerbils to eat in small amounts, others caution that it may cause an upset stomach. If your gerbil has difficulty eating due to dental issues, a small amount of cheese with its food is better than letting it go hungry.
In addition to their regular diet, gerbils will also benefit from small amounts of timothy hay, which provides fibre to support their digestive system, as well as nutrients and minerals for bone, teeth, and heart health.
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Frequently asked questions
Gerbils can eat cheese, but it is not recommended as lactose is hard for them to digest and may give them an upset stomach.
Gerbils can eat very small amounts of cheese as a rare treat.
Gerbils can eat cheese about once per month.
Cheddar cheese is the type of cheese that gerbils can eat.
Gerbils can eat a variety of foods such as fruits, vegetables, seeds, and commercial gerbil food.
