Crab Apple and other trees safe?

[Ritzie/Admin]

Pooky had PMed me with the questions which trees are safe for gerbils to chew on! And if Crab Apple was safe too. Here I show you all my answer, so everyone knows!

There have been no reported toxicities of the crab apple. Trees sprayed with pesticides would make them toxic. I can not garrantee that they are not toxic!

Branches and twigs are rich in vitamins and very suitable to give your gerbils besides their basic food, especially in winter. It is also good for their teeth, because they keep growing their whole life and by gnawing they keep their incisors at the right length. Give your gerbils only branches from fruit trees, willow, birch, hazel, beech, and maple tree.

BE CAREFULL! Don't give your gerbils spinach or cabbage lettuce during winter, because of its high percentage of nitrate. Also you may not give them sorrel and rhubarb, because they can develop kidney stones. Never give them unknown herbs, because they can be toxic. Branches and twigs from trees others than listed above can be also toxic. Plants that are poisonous for sure are: common yew (Taxus baccata), common ivy (Hedera helix), holly (Ilex spp.), azaleas and rhododendrons (Rhododendron ssp.). And at least you shouldn't give your gerbils raw beans or sprouted or green potatoes are toxic too, so never give them to your gerbils!

Peter

[queenofthenile]

Thank you for that information, Peter.

[sweetie]

Yes a big thank you.

I have read your website and keep forgetting to ask if the twigs have to be dried first or can they be broken right off the tree and given to them? Also twigs only and no leaves right?

[Ritzie/Admin]

I usually give willow twigs with leaves! They really like to destroy it. You need only to keep in mind that they don't eat to much leaves (mine don't), as it is similar to vegetables! But dried is good!

[pooky]

thanks

[j]

I gave mine twigs and branches from a pear and blueberry tree and all they did was shred it for 5 seconds and get bored with it. Plus it smelled up the tanks.

[Ritzie/Admin]

My gerbils shred the willow twigs too, but sometimes also eat the bark and leaves. When you give large twigs or branches, they need to spend more time chewing it! My experience is that is good to prevent boredom and it is good for their teeth, even if they shred it in 5 seconds! ;D