The 5 Best Food For Gerbils

The 5 Best Food For Gerbils

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Gerbils are small, adorable, and goofy little creatures that make wonderful pets. Because they are fairly small and easy to care for, they are a particularly good choice for children who are learning to take care of a pet for the first time. These little rodents are not very high-maintenance, but they do require a certain degree of care which includes a healthy and nutritious diet.

Quick Look at Our Top Picks

We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.

Compare Best Food For Gerbils

Overall Best 1. Oxbow Essentials Healthy Handfuls Gerbil & Hamster Food View on Chewy Read Review	Runner Up 2. Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Gerbil & Hamster Food View on Chewy Read Review	Best For Budget 3. Tiny Friends Farm Gerri Gerbil Food View on Chewy Read Review	Best Natural 4. Kaytee Baked Apple Timothy Biscuit Small Animal Treats View on Chewy Read Review	Best Food Mix 5. Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend Gerbil & Hamster Food View on Chewy Read Review
Type Pellets	Type Pellets	Type Seed mix	Type Treat	Type Seed mix
Amount 1 pound	Amount 5 pounds	Amount 2 pounds	Amount 4 ounces	Amount 5 pounds
Key Ingredients Timothy hay, barley, oats	Key Ingredients Soybean meal, corn, wheat, oats	Key Ingredients Wheat, corn, oats	Key Ingredients Timothy hay, dehydrated apple	Key Ingredients Dried fruits, seeds, grains

What To Look For In Food For Gerbils?

When shopping for gerbil food, you may be tempted to just grab the first bag you see on the shelf. What you may not realize, however, is that not all gerbil foods are created equal. Commercial pellets should be the foundation of your gerbil’s diet for balanced nutrition, but you can offer small amounts of seed mix as well as fruits and veggies for variety.

Here are some important things to look for in gerbil food:

• Complete and balanced. To ensure that your gerbil’s nutritional needs are met, choose a complete and balanced commercial pellet uniquely formulated for gerbils. Gerbils do best with 12% to 14% protein and 2% to 20% fat.
• Seeds and dried fruits and veggies. On top of feeding your gerbil a complete and balanced pellet, you may want to provide small amounts of seed mix for variety. Look for one that has a mixture of seeds, dried fruits, and veggie chips.
• Low to moderate fat content. If the fat content of your gerbil’s diet is too high, it could lead to unhealthy weight gain. To control the fat content of your gerbil’s diet, avoid high quantities of fatty seeds like sunflower seed – pumpkin seeds are a better alternative.
• No artificial additives. Artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives serve no nutritional value and have the potential to harm your gerbil so choose an all-natural gerbil food if possible.

Our Top Picks For The Best Food For Gerbils

Now that you have a better idea what to look for in a gerbil food, it’s time to start shopping! Keep reading to see our top 5 picks for the best gerbil foods.

Overall Best

1.

Oxbow Essentials Healthy Handfuls Gerbil & Hamster Food

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Product Info

• Type: Pellets
• Amount: 1 pound
• Key Ingredients: Timothy hay, barley, oats

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 15%

Crude Fat: 4.5%

Crude Fiber: 15%

Moisture: 10%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 16.67%

Fat: 5%

Fiber: 16.67%

Carbs: 61.67%

Pros

• Complete and nutritionally balanced pellets
• Made with high-quality natural ingredients
• No sweetener or artificial additives

Cons

• Some gerbils dislike pellets compared to seed mixes
• Freshness may vary by shipment

If you want to feed your gerbil the best of the best, consider this Oxbox Essentials Hamster & Gerbil Food. This food comes in the form of a complete and nutritionally balanced pellet that provides healthy nutrition in every bite. It features premium ingredients like timothy hay, barley, and oats with no sweeteners or artificial ingredients. It comes in 1-pound and 2-pound packages at affordable prices.

Runner Up

2.

Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Gerbil & Hamster Food

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Product Info

• Type: Pellets
• Amount: 5 pounds
• Key Ingredients: Soybean meal, corn, wheat, oats

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 13.5%

Crude Fat: 6%

Crude Fiber: 12%

Moisture: 12%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 15.34%

Fat: 6.82%

Fiber: 13.64%

Carbs: 64.2%

Pros

• Nutritionally balanced pellets and crunchy bits
• Supports dental health through chewing activity
• May be a good option for picky gerbils

Cons

• Not complete and balanced in every bite
• Some gerbils may only pick out the crunchy bits to eat

Though commercial pellets are the most nutritionally balanced option for gerbils, some simply do not like them. This Kaytee FortiDiet Pro-Health Gerbil Food is a great alternative because it contains nutritionally balanced pellets but also contains crunchy bits that will satisfy your gerbil’s desire for variety. These crunchy bits are also designed to support your gerbil’s dental health through natural chewing activity. The whole formula is nutritionally balanced and contains prebiotics and probiotics.

Best For Budget

3.

Tiny Friends Farm Gerri Gerbil Food

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Product Info

• Type: Seed mix
• Amount: 2 pounds
• Key Ingredients: Wheat, corn, oats

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 16%

Crude Fat: 5%

Crude Fiber: 6%

Moisture: 11%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 17.98%

Fat: 5.62%

Fiber: 6.74%

Carbs: 69.66%

Pros

• Tasty mix of ingredients to encourage foraging
• Added linseed for healthy skin and coat
• Nutritionally balanced mix with plenty of flavor

Cons

• Contains some added color
• Not complete and balanced in every bite

A tasty mix of seeds, grains, nuts, dried fruits, and vegetables, this Tiny Friends Farm Gerri Gerbil Food is a healthy option. It is nutritionally balanced as a whole product and the variety of ingredients encourages natural foraging behavior. This blend contains no added sugar but is fortified to provide the essential vitamins and minerals your gerbil needs. It also contains added linseed oil to support your gerbil’s healthy skin and coat.

Best Natural

4.

Kaytee Baked Apple Timothy Biscuit Small Animal Treats

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Product Info

• Type: Treat
• Amount: 4 ounces
• Key Ingredients: Timothy hay, dehydrated apple

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 14%

Crude Fat: 7%

Crude Fiber: 10%

Moisture: 12%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 15.91%

Fat: 7.95%

Fiber: 11.36%

Carbs: 64.77%

Pros

• Good for enrichment and foraging activity
• High-quality natural ingredients, high in fiber
• Supports dental health through chewing activity

Cons

• Not intended for use as a staple diet
• Contains some added sweetener

Though it is important to feed your gerbil a complete and balanced diet, sometimes you want to give it a treat. These Kaytee Timothy Biscuits Baked Apple Treats are a great option because they are made from premium natural ingredients like fresh timothy hay and dehydrated apple. They are not intended for use as a staple diet but can encourage foraging behavior, support dental health, and give you an easy way to bond with your pet gerbil.

Best Food Mix

5.

Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend Gerbil & Hamster Food

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View on Amazon

Product Info

• Type: Seed mix
• Amount: 5 pounds
• Key Ingredients: Dried fruits, seeds, grains

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 15%

Crude Fat: 7%

Crude Fiber: 9.5%

Moisture: 11.5%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 16.95%

Fat: 7.91%

Fiber: 10.73%

Carbs: 64.41%

Pros

• Made with high-quality, natural ingredients
• Promotes foraging and provides variety
• Fortified with DHA and probiotics

Cons

• Not complete and balanced in every bite
• Some gerbils may only pick out pieces they like

Some gerbils simply won’t eat commercial pellets, in which case this Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Hamster & Gerbil Mix is a good option. Made with a rich blend of premium ingredients, this mix encourages foraging behavior and provides your gerbil with a healthy variety of essential nutrients.

Tips For Feeding A Gerbil

Feeding your gerbil is by no means difficult, but you should educate yourself about your gerbil’s nutritional requirements, so you know how to meet them. Once you have an understanding, you can select a high-quality gerbil food and follow some simple tips for feeding your gerbil.

Here are some simple tips for feeding a gerbil properly:

• Provide your gerbil with unlimited amounts of fresh water daily – clean and refill the bottle at least once per day.
• Choose a high-quality, balanced gerbil pellet as the staple of your gerbil’s diet – feeding seed mix alone might result in nutritional deficiencies.
• Scatter some of your gerbil’s food on the bedding to encourage natural foraging behavior – this can also reduce competition if you keep more than one gerbil.
• Supplement your gerbil’s pellets with small amounts of seed mix and fresh or dried fruits and veggies (make sure they are safe for gerbils).
• Feed your gerbil small amounts at a time – if the food goes stale it could upset your gerbil’s stomach. You should also avoid sudden dietary changes for this reason.

Now that you know how to choose a healthy gerbil diet and how to feed your gerbil properly, you’re ready to start shopping! Take what you’ve learned here to make a smart decision for your gerbil.

Final Remarks

Your gerbil may have its own preferences for the food it likes best, but don’t just give in – make sure the food you’re feeding your gerbil provides for its nutritional needs. If your gerbil doesn’t immediately like pellets, try mixing them with small amounts of seed mix but limit the amount of fatty seeds so your gerbil is less likely to pick out the “good” bits.

If you’re still not sure where to start in looking for a gerbil food, try out one of the top 5 best gerbil foods we’ve reviewed above. Good luck!