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Post by PipSqueak on Jul 25, 2021 13:27:54 GMT -8
I have seen many different websites that either tell me gerbils can and cannot eat dairy. I made these frozen treats for my dogs that have almond butter, banana, and yogurt. Would this be safe to give my gerbils a small piece?
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Jul 25, 2021 15:12:30 GMT -8
Like most animals, gerbils are lactose intolerant which means they have low levels of the enzyme needed to break down lactose. This doesn't mean eating it is always going to be necessarily dangerous, but it could cause some abdominal discomfort or diarrhoea. I've recently read that when animals regularly consume lactose it also alters their gut bacteria which might affect their digestion of all foods more generally.
Some types of yoghurt have very low levels of lactose though, so they would be ok as treats.
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Post by betty on Aug 3, 2021 15:28:07 GMT -8
Ooh LilyandDaisy - what did you read about the chronic impact of over-lactosing? Was it specifically in rodents or wider?
I have always (but infrequently) given my gerbils lactose-based formula and have never really noticed any loose stools or short term health impacts or weight gain/loss - but of course I can't tell if there were long term issues.
Would love to learn more as I still give this formula to poorly gerbils - so maybe I am doing more harm than good - and should switch to a different 'convalescing soup' equivalent?
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Aug 3, 2021 17:02:15 GMT -8
Ooh LilyandDaisy - what did you read about the chronic impact of over-lactosing? Was it specifically in rodents or wider? I have always (but infrequently) given my gerbils lactose-based formula and have never really noticed any loose stools or short term health impacts or weight gain/loss - but of course I can't tell if there were long term issues. Would love to learn more as I still give this formula to poorly gerbils - so maybe I am doing more harm than good - and should switch to a different 'convalescing soup' equivalent? It was this page: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030257946039"Lactose has a definite effect on the intestinal tract of all animals. This effect is characterized by a lowering of the acidity and a change of the intestinal flora to an acidophilic type." |
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Post by betty on Aug 4, 2021 1:59:35 GMT -8
Thanks so much - can't wait to have a read...
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