Hazardous foods for the gerbil (unhealthy food) – The good health of a domestic gerbil goes through its diet. If her diet is not balanced or given an unadapted food she may fall ill. In addition, some foods are not suitable for this small rodent and can cause digestive disorders or, in the worst case, intoxication.
How to feed a domestic gerbil? What does a gerbil eat? What is forbidden food for a gerbil? We give you all the information you need to know about the diet of the gerbil in this article.
The gerbil diet
The gerbil is a rodent essentially granivorous but omnivorous trend. In other words, it feeds on seeds but can tolerate other foods such as vegetables, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and even insects. Her diet when she is in the wild is very varied and gives it all the vitamins and other nutritional benefits it needs.
How to feed your domestic gerbil
Gerbils must have a daily intake of 3% to 5% fat and 15% to 20% protein . To meet their needs, granules for gerbils that can be purchased in pet shops are sufficient. Be careful however to choose only specific food for gerbils, granules for other rodents are not suitable!
There are two different types of gerbil food available commercially: blends and extrudates . For the first, it is a mixture of several seeds, very colorful and attractive for gerbils. But also rich in fat and conducive to sorting. Gerbils often sort their food to eat only what they like, and it’s not often the best in terms of nutrients. In addition to not being economical, sorting can cause deficiencies and other damage. This is why it is advisable to feed its gerbils with extruded, uniquely shaped seeds in which all the nutrients are crushed so that the gerbil can not sort.
In terms of quantity, one tablespoon of extrusions per day per gerbil is sufficient. Added to this is the hay that must be left to the rodent at will to allow him to bite his teeth naturally, it is also a good fiber intake. The hay must be of good quality, that is to say, the greenest possible and must not seem dry or too dusty.
Other foods for domestic gerbils
Commercial treats
Pet shops are full of treats of all kinds to please our rodents. These foods are often too rich in sugar and fat and overweight if they are given too regularly. It is better to turn to dried fruits and vegetables such as banana chips or apples instead of buying seed sticks, cookies or the famous “drops”.
Whatever your choice, these foods must remain very rare in the diet of your gerbils. Two to three times a month is more than enough to please them. Fresh fruits and vegetables are more recommended.
Fruits and vegetables
You can give fruits and vegetables to your domestic gerbils however this should not be the basis of their diet! The gerbil is mainly granivorous, fresh foods must remain casual. If your gerbils have never eaten such foods you must start gradually with small pieces to get used to their body otherwise it can cause diarrhea.
In general, when giving fruits and vegetables to gerbils it must remain small: a slice of banana, cucumber, carrot, a broccoli or cauliflower, or a small piece of apple. If the gerbil has not touched what you put in after an hour, remove the fruits and vegetables so they do not rot.
Meat and dairy products
Occasionally gerbils can eat animal protein , but this must be rare. It may be a piece of chicken ham, or other white meat, or a teaspoon of plain yoghurt. They also enjoy a small piece of hard cheese from time to time. Hard boiled eggs can also be donated from time to time, this should also be rare.
Prohibited foods for the gerbil
Some foods should not be given to the gerbil because they are toxic. Cooked fruits and vegetables should not be given in any case, only fresh foods are allowed. The same goes for all the seeds and seeds that must be carefully removed from the fruits you give to your gerbils. Finally, citrus fruits and foods rich in vitamin C are bad for the kidneys of the rodent.
Chocolate, anything that is beans or beans, potatoes, haul and vegetable peels, rhubarb and even salad should not be given to the gerbil. This seems logical, but it is always good to remember: theine, caffeine, and alcohol should not be given to this small rodent.
Hazardous foods for the gerbil
Does your gerbil eat everything? At first sight, yes. Indeed, it is an omnivorous rodent that appreciates the meat diet as well as fruits or vegetables. However, not everything is good for her, who is not aware of what she can or can not ingest. You must be careful in offering him food. We inform you on which to avoid so that the health of your animal does not deteriorate.
Omnivore? Yes, the gerbil is, even if we can also talk about granivore . Indeed, she will be quite fond of seeds and will occasionally eat fruits, vegetables and insects. She can therefore seem to eat everything. There are, however, foods that are forbidden to him . Food that can seriously damage its intestinal flora or worse, its vital organs and may lead to death.
You must be warned of the danger these foods may contain, even in very small quantities.
Totally toxic foods
At first, you will have to forget all traces of chocolate. As good for humans as it is bad for animals and especially rodents. Chocolate contains theobromine , which is a toxic substance . The reactions range from diarrhea to vomiting and even heart attacks . To avoid, therefore!
You will also avoid giving him tea, coffee and alcohol . These 3 drinks can drastically speed up your heart rate, already high in normal times. They would therefore promote attacks and can also damage his brain.
The citrus fruits like lemon, orange and grapefruit should be avoided from your diet because they can have negative effects on his kidneys .
No kernel of fruit (or vegetable) should be ingested by your gerbil. The nuclei contain a substance close to cyanide . Even a small amount can be fatal to your pet.
The nitrate in spinach is bad for your health, like salting too much chips and other appetizers like peanuts , fines and biscuits .
In addition, you should avoid giving him raw eggs, which contain salmonella as well as sweets, which will promote his overweight and obesity, and could develop diabetes.
The potatoes are starchy forget, like all kinds of salads and tomatoes and the raw beans .
Prohibited vegetables and fruits
Despite its appetite for fruits and vegetables , your gerbil can find harmful on its way. It is therefore appropriate to banish them from their potential diet. The following list must disappear from its diet: apricot, asparagus, celery, turnip, squash, zucchini pepper, apple, grapes, sorrel, potato and tomato tops .
Toxic plants
Your home may be overgrown with plants , your other passion. You should know that some of them are really toxic for your gerbil. By swallowing them, she is exposed to serious health problems . She could especially die. Thus, it is important to avoid installing plants within reach. Your passion can lead to an accident and thus make your protégé disappear. Plants such as azalea, anthurium, aloe, buttercup, crocus, dieffenbachia, fern, hyacinth, ivy, cassava, lily of the valley, narcissus, primrose, sage or the violetare harmful.
What to deal with food poisoning?
Your gerbil has inadvertently swallowed a dangerous or toxic food. There is not a minute to lose. You must immediately go to your veterinarian. The latter will be able to save your pet if he can. Certain types of food are unfortunately fatal in almost all cases, regardless of the intervention.
At the slightest symptom of food poisoning (vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, lethargy), you need to know the food responsible for it. You must be able to tell your veterinarian. Essential condition to try to save it.
The most serious cases are when the toxins have reached the vital organs of your rodent (brain, heart, liver, lung). In these cases, there is not much to be done except to shorten the suffering.
