Safe seeds?

[redsky]

Just wondered which seeds are safe and which are not, I know they can't have apple seeds because they contain cyanide but what about other fruit seeds?
Pear seeds? Melon seeds? Does it matter what sort of melon? Any other seeds they can and can't have other than the usual pumpkin and sunflower seeds? Are there any nuts they shouldn't have?

[qtoffer]

Pear seeds, like apple seeds contain small amounts of cyanide containing chemicals. Same thing for the stone pits of cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, etc.

Melon and squash (summer or winter) seeds are fine. I would roast them unsalted in the oven 350oF for about 10 min so they don't spoil.

I don't know of any nuts that gerbils can't have, but I've read that macadamia nuts should be avoided because they're so fatty.

[redsky]

That's brilliant, thank you for your help. Glad you said melon seeds are okay, I saved them, in the fridge, from my melon yesterday for them but didn't want to offer them until I knew they were safe. I shall roast them when I make dinner.

[sofluffy]

Mine love sunflower seeds, peanuts, brazil nuts, almonds etc,

[Deleted]

can we eat melon seeds?

[redsky]

www.ehow.com/about_6646839_benefits-cantaloupe-seeds_.html
From this I would guess so. I found lots about watermelon seeds but none from any other melon or fruits (other than apples which I already knew).
What about orange seeds? I know they shouldn't have orange due to the high acidic level but are the seeds safe for gerbils?

[redsky]

Never mind:
The seeds of citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes and tangerines contain small amounts of cyanide compounds, much like apple seeds and stone fruits. However, the seeds in a typical orange do not contain enough of the toxin to do any harm. I regularly blend up an orange, seeds and all, in my green smoothies. I do this more for the convenience than any health benefit the seeds provide. Tangerine seeds, however, will make your smoothie very bitter because they have higher amounts of the toxins.