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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Jan 24, 2004 7:29:11 GMT -8
I feed my gerbils also a rodent mix, and sometimes a complete gerbil food. It depends where I buy their food!
They get also sometimes mealworms and/or dry cat food. And some vegetables and fruit, like apple, cumcumber, carrot, etc.
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Post by queenofthenile on Jan 24, 2004 7:50:04 GMT -8
I also feed a gerbil mix. I usually give some catfood to my pregnant or nursing female and also to any ill gerbils. When my pups are starting to eat solid food, I also add some cereal, like Cheerios. (round, toasted oat cereal) My gerbils also love most fruit, especially pear, banana and blueberries!
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Post by amy on Jan 24, 2004 9:56:38 GMT -8
Hi, I also feed my gerbils a rodent mix. I didn't know that you could feed them other foods but i will from now on. Amy x x
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Post by queenofthenile on Jan 24, 2004 10:26:53 GMT -8
Amy, just make sure that you don't feed them too much fruits and vegetables. This can cause them diarrhea because they are desert animals. In the wild they would not be encountering a juicy pear or apple, but I can't resist giving them a little piece because they like it so much! Also, you don't want to feed too many sunflower seeds, catfood or mealworms because they are either high in fat or high in protein and these can cause obesity in gerbils. I only feed the high protein sources (catfood and meal worms) on a regular basis to my pregnant/nursing female and the growing pups. For the rest of the gerbils, it is an occassional treat. Just wanted to give you that extra information because I know we all want what is best for our little friends .
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Post by amy on Jan 25, 2004 6:00:38 GMT -8
Thanks Queenofthenile! Is it ok to give them grapes? Amy x x
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Post by queenofthenile on Jan 25, 2004 10:47:52 GMT -8
Some gerbils love grapes and others are indifferent. I usually feed only half a grape per gerbil, or a full grape if they are small.
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Jan 26, 2004 3:10:43 GMT -8
Yes, you're totally right, queenofthenile (Leah)! Too much fruit, vegetables, and animal protein is not good!
I feed my gerbils sometimes grapes, but they usually don't eat them completely! So half grapes would be a good idea! But also here: they contain a lot of water, so don't give it too often and not too many!
Peter.
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Post by darrenb on Feb 4, 2004 3:00:58 GMT -8
I feed mine a mix of gerbil food, and rat food ( for the extra protein's ). They seem to do very well on it and they seem to enjoy it.
For treats i gve mine a little millet and the odd waxworm - they love the waxworms.
Grapes can be good for a water substitute when transporting gerbils, saves them getting wet from the water bottle rocking about, but when at home they must always have the water bottle available.
Darren
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Feb 6, 2004 7:36:25 GMT -8
I know more people who give their gerbils rat food, because of its protein. I give them most of the times a complete gerbil food (or common rodent mix), and give them some mealworms of dry cat food for extra protein.
And indeed, you need also give your gerbils water! Fruit is never a substitute, too much fruit can even be harmful.
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Post by sanya on Feb 6, 2004 17:58:33 GMT -8
My gerbils insanely enjoy oatmeal. Fruit and vegetables merit nothing more than a disgusted sniff from my gerbils...
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Feb 7, 2004 5:28:14 GMT -8
I've heard that more gerbils like oatmeal!! Maybe I shall try it too! My gerbils don't like all fruit either! But apple is their favorite.
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Post by butsam on Mar 2, 2004 10:42:39 GMT -8
For my gerbils, one of them likes apple and the other doesn't. Both will eat carrots. We'll find out today about potatoes...since I'm from Idaho, I'm hopeful they too will share my craze about potatoes...and the 1001 ways to cook potatoes that all taste different! lol Don't worry, I won't feed my gerbils french fries or anything too strange Sam
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Post by geikou on Mar 2, 2004 22:12:20 GMT -8
I've read from some forum that potatoes is not advisable. But I've never fed them potatoes myself. I simply feed my gerbils a seed mix. I must admit that I'm quite generous with my sunflower seeds, but my gerbils aren't very fat, I think. Well, one is fatter than the other, anyway. I've never tried feeding them waxworms or mealworms. I don't think I can stand the sight of them tearing down a live worm! Although I confess that I've dropped a beetle (found in the room) for them before. Just once.
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Mar 3, 2004 5:50:59 GMT -8
Potatoes can be given, however sprouted or green potatoes are toxic. So be careful! I've never given them any potatoes, but I have sometimed fed them with mealworms. They don't like them very much, some eat them but not all. However my fat-tailed gerbils love them!
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Post by crazycritter on Jul 19, 2004 2:12:58 GMT -8
I feed my gerbils Hagen Gerbil/hamster mix, puffed wheat, vegetarian techni-cal dog food, and sugarless corn flakes! They seem to like it.... The pups, when being weaned, really seem to like the dog food
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