There are so many different food options for gerbils on the market today, but which ones really offer your gerbil the nutrients and vitamins they need to thrive? We've compiled a list of some of the basic ways you can ensure the food you're buying is the best you can find.
High Protein: Gerbils have very fast metabolisms so they need a lot of protein in order to maintain a healthy body composition. The higher the protein content, the better; but the best foods you can find have more than 17% protein.
High Protein: Gerbils have very fast metabolisms so they need a lot of protein in order to maintain a healthy body composition. The higher the protein content, the better; but the best foods you can find have more than 17% protein.
Natural Ingredients: You want to look for food with wholesome REAL ingredients. Read the product label. Can you identify all of the ingredients listed? Are they natural, whole ingredients (not flours or by-products)? These are important questions to ask.
No Fillers / Additives / Colors: Gerbils are much smaller than us, and because of this their bodies cannot easily process the same preservatives, additives, and colors that we do. Opt for foods where you can identify everything listed on the product label.
Low Percentage of Fatty Seeds: Not all seed mixes are created equal. Sunflower seeds and corn are very high in fat and should not be a primary feeding source in your pet’s food. Try to find foods that do not list sunflower or corn as a top 3 ingredient.
More Grains Than Greens: Gerbils were not made to survive on a diet absent of lots of seeds and grains. Try to avoid foods that list ‘timothy hay’ or ‘alfalfa’ as a top 5 ingredient- as gerbil food should have some kind of seed listed for each of those ingredients.
Good Sources of Protein: In the wild gerbil’s will seek out protein from multiple sources and your gerbil should have that same ability in captivity. Good sources of protein in a gerbil’s food can include meal worms, almonds, quinoa, chia, and hemp seed.
Good Sources of Fat: Your food should have ingredients listed that have healthy sources of fat- which eliminate processed grains and replace them with healthier substitutes like almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and kamut.
Big Variety: In the wild gerbils are scavengers. They eat a large array of seeds, grains, nuts, greens, fruits, and bugs. So why should your gerbil be limited to only a few ingredients in captivity? Look for the widest ingredients list possible. A large array of seeds allows your gerbil to pick out the ones with the vitamins their body is currently craving. Many tastes and textures also keep your pet mentally engaged, help their digestive system, and can create more healthy appetite habits.
Our Top Pick
So what’s our top pick for a commercial gerbil food today? We’re big fans of
Eco Animal’s ‘Organic Gerbil & Hamster Food’ available on Amazon.