Help - What is a "small amount"

[daisy]

I've heard that gerbils should only have a "small amount" of treats, such as fruit or fresh vegetables, once or twice a week.  But, how much is a "small amount?"  Is it 1/8 of a grape, a sliver of apple, a piece of cucumber the size of a pencil eraser or is it greater amounts?

I give my gerbil boys one or two bites of a treat every day.  Would it be better to give that amount once a week or could I give them more once a week?  They seem healthy and eat their Ox-bow without complaint.  I would appreciate any advice.

Daisy

[johanne]

There's no exact science with that. I usually give ours whatever amount they'll eat right away. Typically a quarter of a grape or equivalent in whatever they're having. It doesn't matter that much how often either. I often give some every day for pups and elderly gerbils. And anyone else who begs hard enough, lol. But they don't need it.

[qtoffer]

I give the amount of watery or sweet treats that they can hold in both paws. Maybe the size of a large pea or a Cheerio. My gerbils get treats just about every day - they have me very well trained. I try to limit treats to once or twice a day.
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Arwen (F) and Eowyn (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper
Goldberry (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper

[eleda]

I've heard people say "about the size of their eye"

[lucille]

I've wondered this too.... all I want to do all day is stuff my gerbil with treats and then I have to remember that what looks like a tiny amount to me is probably HUGE to him. I feel like I'm being stingy until I start comparing what I've given him to parts on his body and then thinking about what that would look like if I had the equivalent of the same food on my plate.

[eleda]

I figure pumpkin or sunflower seeds are nice for fulfilling that desire to give them a treat without giving them "too much" - they're not sugary or fatty, so the portions don't have to be kept too small. also, a little too much once in a while isn't too bad (i think) while my young nieces were visiting Jean Luc got WAY more cheese than I would usually choose to give him but as far as I can tell he's no worse for wear.

[lucille]

oh yeah, I love to DROWN everything in cheese so I'm always tempted to give Jack Jr a cube of it the size of his head but I've been limiting it to just one little strand of shredded cheese maybe once a week.  It's true that there are really no hard guidelines so you just have to use your judgement