Post by pepandmax on Jul 28, 2007 17:40:35 GMT -8
Introduction
Now that gerbils are well-established as companion animals, pet stores usually stock multiple brands of commercial feed. How do you select the ideal staple food for your pet?
This post outlines the key factors you should consider as you evaluate a potential staple feed for your gerbils.
Macronutritional Balance
“Macronutrients” are nutrients that are required in (relatively) large quantities in the diet, including protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Nearly all gerbil commercial feeds will list the percentage of protein, fat, fiber, and moisture in the product.
The generally accepted “ideal” ranges for macronutrients in the staple diet of the gerbil are as follows:
For Non-Breeding Adults:
Protein: ~12%
Fat: 6-8%
For Breeding Adults:
Protein: 15-16%
Fat: 7-9%
For Geriatric Adults (2+ years old):
Protein: 10-11%
Fat: 3-5%
If, like most gerbil guardians, you give your gerbils treats such as sunflower seeds or other fatty nuts and seeds, select a feed with a lower fat content.
Ingredients
Next, examine the ratio of the most common ingredients to the least common ingredients by visually inspecting the food. Is there a lot of whole corn in the mix? Whole corn is fine, but often cheap feeds will have lots of corn and little else. Are there a lot of sunflower seeds in the mix? Some sunflower seeds are fine, but a feed high with many sunflower seeds will likely be high in fat.
Variety
If you ate pizza and ice cream every day, wouldn’t it get boring? Wait, that’s a bad example. If you ate rice and carrots every day, wouldn’t it get boring? Yes! Your gerbil needs a varied diet to help alleviate boredom and to help ensure that they are getting adequate macro- and micronutrients.
Look for a feed that has a range of ingredients, including pellets, small seeds, large seeds, and some nuts, and potentially bits of dried fruits and flakes of dried vegetables. You can (and should!) supplement your gerbils staple diet with occasional fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and whole grain products, and protein treats (see this list for some ideas).
Resources:
www.nap.edu/catalog/4758/nutrient-requirements-of-laboratory-animals-fourth-revised-edition-1995
www.egerbil.com/domestic.html
www.agsgerbils.org/gerbilpedia/items/Food
Now that gerbils are well-established as companion animals, pet stores usually stock multiple brands of commercial feed. How do you select the ideal staple food for your pet?
This post outlines the key factors you should consider as you evaluate a potential staple feed for your gerbils.
Macronutritional Balance
“Macronutrients” are nutrients that are required in (relatively) large quantities in the diet, including protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Nearly all gerbil commercial feeds will list the percentage of protein, fat, fiber, and moisture in the product.
The generally accepted “ideal” ranges for macronutrients in the staple diet of the gerbil are as follows:
For Non-Breeding Adults:
Protein: ~12%
Fat: 6-8%
For Breeding Adults:
Protein: 15-16%
Fat: 7-9%
For Geriatric Adults (2+ years old):
Protein: 10-11%
Fat: 3-5%
If, like most gerbil guardians, you give your gerbils treats such as sunflower seeds or other fatty nuts and seeds, select a feed with a lower fat content.
Ingredients
The next step in evaluating a commercial feed is to check the list of ingredients. Is salt or sugar (or any sugar product, including molasses or corn syrup) high on the list? Are there any unsafe foods high on the ingredient list? (see this list for more information).
[edit, mod mpd, no link was originally provided, I've assumed it was meant to link to the original 'Not ok food lists', now replaced by the safe/unsafe food lists].
Next, examine the ratio of the most common ingredients to the least common ingredients by visually inspecting the food. Is there a lot of whole corn in the mix? Whole corn is fine, but often cheap feeds will have lots of corn and little else. Are there a lot of sunflower seeds in the mix? Some sunflower seeds are fine, but a feed high with many sunflower seeds will likely be high in fat.
Variety
If you ate pizza and ice cream every day, wouldn’t it get boring? Wait, that’s a bad example. If you ate rice and carrots every day, wouldn’t it get boring? Yes! Your gerbil needs a varied diet to help alleviate boredom and to help ensure that they are getting adequate macro- and micronutrients.
Look for a feed that has a range of ingredients, including pellets, small seeds, large seeds, and some nuts, and potentially bits of dried fruits and flakes of dried vegetables. You can (and should!) supplement your gerbils staple diet with occasional fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and whole grain products, and protein treats (see this list for some ideas).
Resources:
www.nap.edu/catalog/4758/nutrient-requirements-of-laboratory-animals-fourth-revised-edition-1995
www.egerbil.com/domestic.html
www.agsgerbils.org/gerbilpedia/items/Food