|
|
Post by cathy123 on Mar 22, 2015 10:55:35 GMT -8
I've noticed for some time now that one of my gerbils is getting a bit chubby and compared to the other one, he is quite heavy! What is a normal weight for a gerbil? I exercise him every day so it's probably their food but the other gerbil is still quite light. I don't use a ready made food-I make my own because they don't eat anything except the sunflower seeds and peanuts. This is what is in their food: - 1 pinch of sunflower seeds
- 6 pumpkin seeds
- 8 corn kernels
- 2 pinches of oat mix
- 2 raisins
|
|
|
|
Post by qtoffer on Mar 22, 2015 17:41:00 GMT -8
I'm not a nutritionist, but I can guarantee that the homemade mix you are feeding your gerbils is way too high in carbs and way too low in protein. It's not a healthy daily diet. Some of the components (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and oats) are fantastic treats alone and good components of a nutritionally balanced commercial mix. Gerbils really shouldn't be given raisins, even as treats - they are way too full of sugar. I'd really suggest finding a pre-made mix that your gerbils will eat most of. No gerbil eats everything in any particular mix - they have preferences and dislikes. I use VitaPrima Hamster and Gerbil formula. I've heard good things about Tropical Carnival. Check out this reference about commercial gerbil foods: www.moonstonegerbils.com/index_files/commercial.htmlAlso check out this thread full of informative references: gerbilforum.proboards.com/thread/30269/gerbil-diet--------------------------------------------------------------------- Eowyn (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper Goldberry (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper -------------------------------------------------------------- RIP Maire 11/6/2008 - 4/6/2011; Eithne 11/6/2008 - 10/10/2011 Lori 5/2/2011 - 7/24/2013; Mo 5/2/2011 - 1/14/2014; Carly 5/2/2011 - 5/21/2014 Arwen 11/12/2011 - 2/8/2015 |
|
|
|
Post by vexorg on Mar 23, 2015 0:39:26 GMT -8
As an adult gerbil, ours weigh around the 80g mark.
|
|
|
|
Post by betty on Mar 23, 2015 2:12:42 GMT -8
My gerbils range from 70g to up to 130g.
Females tend to be lighter, but some males really fill out as they age and often one is bigger than the other in the same tank.
|
|
|
|
Post by MoonstoneGerbils on Mar 23, 2015 8:02:41 GMT -8
My biggest gerbil, ever, was MS Rocky. He was almost 10 inches from head to tail tip. In his prime he was 137g, he did get up to 150g at a few points and was very obviously OBESE. Its easiest to see obesity on males. A healthy range for males is 90-120g. Some gerbils can be bigger than that, but if you have gerbils from petstores they aren't likely to get over 125g and still be in a normal weight range. I have show gerbils, and I've bred them for generations to be bigger (not just fatter). You can tell when a gerbil is overweight when they have a large fat pad on top of their shoulders like Titan, here, probably about 140g in this pic. He was from a petstore. moonstonegerbils.com/img/champions/Titan.jpgThis is Skybolt, he's a bit overweight, and has a small fat pad on his shoulders moonstonegerbils.com/img/champions/MSSkybolt.jpghere is Skillet, he is probably 130g in this pic, but his topline is smooth, and he doesn't have that big old fat pad on his shoulders moonstonegerbils.com/img/champions/Skillet.jpgFemales are a bit harder. Average weight is anywhere between 60-80g. I've had females in the 80-90g range from lines I've bred, but i wouldn't say the were normal for a petstore gerbil. |
|
|
|
Post by cathy123 on Mar 23, 2015 8:32:22 GMT -8
Thanks everyone! All of your advice is really helpful.  |
|
|
|
Post by vexorg on Mar 23, 2015 8:46:16 GMT -8
Those gerbils don't look healthy. We've had a few that were noticeably bigger than other, but they were in normal gerbil proportions when you see them standing. |
|
|
|
Post by Jazzable on Mar 25, 2015 9:55:02 GMT -8
My biggest gerbil, ever, was MS Rocky. He was almost 10 inches from head to tail tip. In his prime he was 137g, he did get up to 150g at a few points and was very obviously OBESE. Its easiest to see obesity on males. A healthy range for males is 90-120g. Some gerbils can be bigger than that, but if you have gerbils from petstores they aren't likely to get over 125g and still be in a normal weight range. I have show gerbils, and I've bred them for generations to be bigger (not just fatter). You can tell when a gerbil is overweight when they have a large fat pad on top of their shoulders like Titan, here, probably about 140g in this pic. He was from a petstore. moonstonegerbils.com/img/champions/Titan.jpgThis is Skybolt, he's a bit overweight, and has a small fat pad on his shoulders moonstonegerbils.com/img/champions/MSSkybolt.jpghere is Skillet, he is probably 130g in this pic, but his topline is smooth, and he doesn't have that big old fat pad on his shoulders moonstonegerbils.com/img/champions/Skillet.jpgFemales are a bit harder. Average weight is anywhere between 60-80g. I've had females in the 80-90g range from lines I've bred, but i wouldn't say the were normal for a petstore gerbil. What should you do with an obese gerbil? Assuming they are on a nutritionally balanced food, is there anything that can be done to safely get them to a healthier weight? |
|
|
|
Post by cathy123 on Mar 25, 2015 11:15:16 GMT -8
I've made a few changes to their diet. I think the amount of protein is fine because things like pumpkin seeds are what a vegetarian would eat to get protein, but they do contain some fat so I have just cut down the amount of sunflower and pumpkin seeds. I also bought a pack of lentils for extra protein, a pack of banana chips and pineapple pieces because I think carnival gerbil food looks good but I can't get it in the UK-I read the ingredients list and there was pineapple and banana chips in it.
My guess to get the fat off a gerbil when they are on a balanced diet would be to exercise them regularly. I don't know of there is a different way to do it though.
|
|
|
|
Post by gerbillover9612 on Mar 25, 2015 12:46:24 GMT -8
My boys are on a diet of gerri gerbil and Mr Johnson's and Daisy has Pets at Home food and Mr Johnsons. Boys are between 85-80g and Daisy is generally around 80g  Im happy with their weights at the moment. They do get playtime/exercise in the bath tub a few times a week. |
|
|
|
Post by leafwhisp on Mar 25, 2015 17:04:10 GMT -8
Do you need to weigh your gerbils? I never have. Bolt is absolutely tiny, and he always has been. I was the runt and I think that might have something to do with it. Ash I the middle size, and Brave is the biggest... not sure if he is too chubby though, and I can't deprive Bolt of food, he is the pickiest gerbil I have ever come across!
|
|
|
|
Post by vexorg on Mar 25, 2015 21:29:44 GMT -8
You don't need to weight gerbils, you can normally tell by the middle width when holding. The only reason we know is that the vet weighs them when they get their check ups.
|
|
|
|
Post by blanknote on Mar 26, 2015 0:57:14 GMT -8
cathy123, be careful about giving them banana and pineapple chips, at least the ones I have are really sugary, so should only be given to them as treats every once in a while.
If your gerbils are picky eaters, you could buy pellets that contain all the nutrients they need, so they couldn't just eat their favourite bits. I have heard good things about Beaphar Care+
|
|
|
|
Post by vexorg on Mar 26, 2015 3:37:37 GMT -8
If your gerbils are picky eaters, you could buy pellets that contain all the nutrients they need, so they couldn't just eat their favourite bits. I have heard good things about Beaphar Care+ Good luck with that, ours go hungry rather than eat the brown pellets in the gerbil mix. Usually we have a bowl with only the pellets left in it. |
|
|
|
Post by blanknote on Mar 26, 2015 4:39:33 GMT -8
If your gerbils are picky eaters, you could buy pellets that contain all the nutrients they need, so they couldn't just eat their favourite bits. I have heard good things about Beaphar Care+ Good luck with that, ours go hungry rather than eat the brown pellets in the gerbil mix. Usually we have a bowl with only the pellets left in it. Which pellets are you using in their gerbil mix? If you are only using a muesli type store bought mix, the brown pellets are so called fillers, and they are not same as, for example, Beaphar Care+ pellets. |
|
Im happy with their weights at the moment. They do get playtime/exercise in the bath tub a few times a week. 
