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Post by nycgerbillover on Sept 7, 2020 16:24:51 GMT -8
Two out of three of my gals are overweight. They weigh around 100 grams and I’d like to get them down to 90 or fewer without depriving them. Does anyone know how much food a gerbil should get each day? I am clearly overfeeding my babies. Thank you.
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Post by betty on Sept 8, 2020 7:10:31 GMT -8
I think we all over feed them!!!!
To help them reduce in weight it would be cutting out the more fatty things for starters - perhaps start treating with something fresh like some kale or a tiny brocolli floret instead of nuts and seeds.
Alternatively, take all of the sunflowers and peanuts out of your main food and use THEM as treats - so they are getting the same food, but having to beg for it!
Making sure they have a wheel can help - I find they don't all use them - but those suspended from the top of side of the enclosure (ie they are never stationary and need to be jumped into) are most used with my lot. If they are one the ground they just get chewed to pieces or filled with substrate?
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Post by nycgerbillover on Sept 8, 2020 7:50:21 GMT -8
Thank you. My gerbils do have a wheel but I can try removing the good stuff from their food.
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Post by Markpd on Sept 8, 2020 11:45:13 GMT -8
An alternative to a suspended wheel is one placed on a raised platform to keep it clear of the bedding, like this , you can just about see the platform  .
Btw, I'm finding my babies are turning their noses up at the greens I was feeding them (raspberry and blackberry leaves from my garden), they love Dandelion leaves but I don't want to feed them too much of that. Guess I'll need to buy some Kale and Broccoli, they'll be eating more healthily than me! lol
Btw2, I've seen it mentioned that 8-12g/Gerbil per day for their food, but I guess that'll vary with the food and Gerbils, I choose 10g as a mid way point. Mine are growing though and it's early days so I don't know how that'll be in the long run.
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Post by nycgerbillover on Sept 8, 2020 14:31:57 GMT -8
Thank you for the information! A platform for the wheel is a great idea. Unfortunately, my babies don’t like fruits or vegetables. I’ve tried them all.
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Sept 8, 2020 14:57:42 GMT -8
Have you tried each vegetable more than once? I find gerbils usually reject things the first time they come across them but by presenting the same thing repeatedly they usually give in. I've been offering Storm mealworms for over 4 months and only yesterday did he finally eat one.
I have a theory that when a gerbil has seen a food multiple times, even if they haven't actually eaten it, the familiarity tricks them into thinking they've eaten it before, therefore it must be safe. That's just my theory though, not sure how accurate it is.
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Post by betty on Sept 9, 2020 2:20:20 GMT -8
Certainly worth an experiment on the repeat exposure experiment - always good to get stats from a new subject! If enough of us can actively back up an anecdote - it becomes a fact!
I find that if one of mine doesn't take something straight away and the other one does - then the first gerbil wants it back real fast!
And why - when you give them something really yummy and they run off with it to keep it safe from the others - do they both run off to the same place?
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Post by nycgerbillover on Sept 9, 2020 4:24:35 GMT -8
I have tried certain vegetables multiple times but I can try some more! Why not?
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Post by Markpd on Sept 9, 2020 10:57:27 GMT -8
They even reject Dandelion leaves??? (although you can't feed that to them daily). LilyandDaisy I reckon you just wear them down and they surrender "oh alright mum, if you insist" 
betty Lol, yea I've seen mine do that occasionally too! (coveting the others food even after rejecting it). I find Blake runs off with his treat nearly every time! |
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