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Post by daisy on Mar 23, 2015 18:11:31 GMT -8
I just looked at several sites about gerbil nutritional needs and many say something different. I've seen protein listed as low as 12% and as high as 20% and fat listed as low as 4% and as high as 8%. What is correct?
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Post by vexorg on Mar 23, 2015 23:17:02 GMT -8
We just give them gerbil mix in a bag, they will pick and choose what they want to eat. Usually the little brown sticks get left.
We've be told a number of times that you cannot over feed a gerbil, they will take what they need and keep the food bowl full.
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keldamouse
Member
rest in peace my dear lovely Leela youre in our hearts
Posts: 374
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Post by keldamouse on Mar 25, 2015 10:58:56 GMT -8
So most places you find give the ratios of 7% fat, 12% protein for healthy non-breeding adult gerbils. egerbi.com, American gerbil society, ect. A lot of breeders do feed their gerbils higher protein like 14% to 16% and I've seen them say this is fine. It may be that they have a lot of personal experience with the higher protein. I tend to think it would be okay for them to get more protein.
I've searched through scientific journals and lots of sites but haven't found anything definitive on the protein levels over 12% being good or bad.
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Post by betty on Mar 26, 2015 0:47:00 GMT -8
And don't forget that brands all have their own idea what is best for the animal they make food for, I mean that is why there are so many dog foods out there, they all claim to be the best for something our other. Also the food for small animals usually say it is complementary, and needs to have fresh stuff added, so the percentages on the packet are only half the story.
And if you are adding a lot of your own food to their diet like fruit, veg, mealworms, and stuff, you need to take this into account too if you want to be precise. If you love feeding live food, then you don't need so much protein in their main diet, etc.
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