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Post by sparkbubble on Nov 27, 2023 8:08:53 GMT -8
Hello! Haven't been on in a while... I've seen the oxbow critical care being mentioned every now and then. As my gerbils age, would that be a good thing to have on hand, and if so, what type should I buy? The herbivore type says that hay is the main ingredient. Does that matter? I was under the impression that gerbils can't really absorb hay.
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Nov 27, 2023 8:27:38 GMT -8
The omnivore critical care is better for gerbils because it isn't hay-based, but it's harder to find. Other shelf-stable supplements/soft foods you could consider are: - Their ordinary pellets milled to a powder in a food processor, and then possibly mixed with a little water - Nuts and seeds prepared the same way as above. - "Breakfast toppers" - these are mixes of milled seeds, nuts and dried fruits sold at supermarkets - Baby food - Dried coconut milk - very high in fat, you can add it other soft or powdered foods - Malt paste - Specialist veterinary food replacement syrups such as this one- Oils such as flaxseed or hemp oil - not necessarily to feed alone but you can add them to other ingredients
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Post by Markpd on Dec 23, 2023 3:45:31 GMT -8
Very useful info here, this deserves to be in the FAQ > Health, LilyandDaisy are you ok with me moving it there? Or I could pin it in this section, but their are already quite a few pinned threads here.... (either way I'll leave it open for replies).
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 23, 2023 4:17:22 GMT -8
Very useful info here, this deserves to be in the FAQ > Health, LilyandDaisy are you ok with me moving it there? Or I could pin it in this section, but their are already quite a few pinned threads here.... (either way I'll leave it open for replies) I'm fine with that
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Post by Markpd on Mar 29, 2024 5:35:53 GMT -8
Very useful info here, this deserves to be in the FAQ > Health, LilyandDaisy are you ok with me moving it there? Or I could pin it in this section, but their are already quite a few pinned threads here.... (either way I'll leave it open for replies). Opps, I should've asked sparkbubble this seeing as it's their thread! Sorry about that
Here's another suggestion for critical care food by betty (the highlighted part).
I have noticed this on a few occasions - but never found the cause - apart from one time when it was almost certainly kale (but I know you said yours hadn't had fresh food). And you are certainly right that stress, perceived stress, and increased activity can upset a tummy - so perhaps reduce wheel running short term (and replace with more stationary chewing activity) as this will help to reduce water loss through respiration also. Certainly I would be keeping a thought for hydration whatever the cause of this - as it is amazing how fast they can lose internal moisture which can clag up metabolism and slow the speed of digestion (and lead to a decrease in appetite). The complete extruded food can be moistened with part-boiled water every so often to make a paste to increase ingested moisture, or using the milk formulas of course. Also I have found that elderly and poorly gerbils/doops/jirds really enjoy tucking into a reptile jelly pot - great for juice. Fingers crossed it is just in passing and you'll soon see her firm up.
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