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Post by nate on Jan 12, 2005 8:55:57 GMT -8
Those of you that read my post in the health forum will know that my gerbil (Squeek) is getting on a bit and has had to have his front teeth filed right down so he can't eat hard food anymore. Has anyone got any reccomendations for tasty but soft food we can give him?
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Post by sweetie on Jan 12, 2005 11:19:30 GMT -8
You could give him yogurt and soft fruits just be careful of the water content he is taking in.. You might also be able to puree his regular food in a blender and leave it in a little bowl.
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Post by nate on Jan 12, 2005 15:54:25 GMT -8
What are the signs that he's getting too much water? diarrhoea? excessive urination? I give him his medicine in small amounts of baby food (he licks it off my fingers) but i'm a bit stumped as to what we can replace his staple food with that won't be too wet for him.
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Post by queenofthenile on Jan 12, 2005 17:00:34 GMT -8
Diarrhea would be the main symptom of too much water. I really had success with grinding up the regular gerbil mix (except the pieces of corn  ). My gerbil refused to eat any of the soft foods, only the crushed up gerbil mix. You could try rolled oats uncooked, or even cook them up for the gerbie. Some gerbils like wet catfood, and applesauce. You could also try adding powdered kitten milk replacer to the wet foods to increase the nutrient content. |
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Post by nate on Jan 12, 2005 17:49:59 GMT -8
Thanks, I'll give some of those ideas a try ;D
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Post by sweetie on Jan 13, 2005 10:46:15 GMT -8
Queenie, you said crushed up? like in a blender or a pestle?
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Post by queenofthenile on Jan 13, 2005 20:47:42 GMT -8
I used a mortar and pestle.
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Post by nate on Jan 14, 2005 9:55:40 GMT -8
I tried him with some oats today and he loves them, which is great because I was worried about him getting diarrhea as he only had baby food to eat yesterday. He loves babyfood actually, but I think i'm going to try to save that for giving him his medication, i'll try to keep his staple diet as dry as possible.
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Post by queenofthenile on Jan 15, 2005 6:39:17 GMT -8
Hopefully he will eat more than just the oats, to get a more balanced diet. I'm glad you found something he likes!
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Post by tasha on Feb 24, 2005 14:02:19 GMT -8
This is kind of late after the original post, but i just found something that might be good. You can find it in the US, but i don't know about other countries. It is Kashi brand cereal called Kashi Puffed. It has JUST puffed whole seven grains and sesame (red winter wheat, barley, oats, brown rice, triticale, rye, buckwheat). There is no sugar, preservatives, nothing else. You can find it in orgainc/health-food stores and in some grocery stores. It is soft because it is puffed (lightly so the grains retain nutritional value and fiber, so the box says  ). I give it as a healthy treat and mine love it. |
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). My gerbil refused to eat any of the soft foods, only the crushed up gerbil mix. You could try rolled oats uncooked, or even cook them up for the gerbie. Some gerbils like wet catfood, and applesauce. You could also try adding powdered kitten milk replacer to the wet foods to increase the nutrient content.
). I give it as a healthy treat and mine love it.