What Do Gerbils Eat?
Have you ever asked yourself, what do gerbils eat? If you have, you may already know that they are very different compared to dogs and cats. While cats and dogs can survive on almost anything, gerbils must subsist on a strict diet. It is not uncommon for one gerbil to only eat a specific type of food, like fruits, vegetables, or even raw meat! But before we go any further, there are a few essential things that you need to know about gerbils.
First, gerbils were initially developed as meat animals, hence their name. Today, they are used for other things, including being a companion for the blind and deaf. They can be trained to retrieve fish from the water, cook them and eat them (called “gourmet gerbils”). However, they are primarily meat-eater.
It should not surprise anyone that a gerbil only eats a limited amount of food daily. It can be quite a handful for a small animal. The fact is that all gerbils, domesticated or wild, must have a steady supply of fresh meat and vegetables. As long as the gerbil has access to these foods regularly, it does not need any other foods. As a result, a gerbil can become malnourished and unhealthy if fed too much junk food.
Many people wonder what they can feed a gerbil since most pet stores do not carry any meat for sale. However, many products are formulated specifically for gerbils. It should not be difficult to find commercial foods for sale that are appropriate for gerbils. Some people choose to supplement their pet’s diet with a raw egg. They can then add spices, fruits, and vegetables to the cooked egg to make a tasty treat for their furry friends.
Berries are another favourite treat for gerbils. These gerbils will eat virtually any type of fruit, although gerbils overfed on sugary fruits may display signs of diabetes and be prone to kidney stones. For a healthy gerbil, it is best to provide them with an assortment of fruits, such as strawberries, pineapple, and kiwi. You can purchase frozen fruit to give your gerbil’s something more complicated to find in the store.
Meat is a more popular topic when discussing what gerbils eat. Because this animal is usually raised for its meat, many owners have more than one at home. Most gerbils will eat meat, but you should only feed it sparingly. Many pet gerbils raised for meat will develop problems with bloat and gas if fed too much meat at once.
Some people question what gerbils eat if they are being raised for meat. Your gerbils will be delicate if you aren’t feeding too much meat. However, if you decide to include meat in your pet’s diet, you must monitor how much you feed because they will become obese. To prevent this from happening, mix some rice or dry pellets with their regular food every day. You can also alternate between fresh and dry food as well.
Many people wonder what to do gerbils eat if they are being raised for meat. It is important to remember that these animals are carnivores, so they should not eat any vegetables, although many breeds of gerbils enjoy apples. As mentioned earlier, gerbils prefer meat over vegetables. However, you shouldn’t feed your gerbils too much meat at one time. Mix some cooked meat with their dry pellets every day. This will keep your gerbils’ metabolism in check, which helps them to burn fat.