Gerbils are small, cute and adorable pets, and we often love feeding them, but what to feed is a big question for many new and even experienced owners. In the wild, they eat a variety of foods like seeds, grains and a small amount of fruits or vegetables; however, many owners often temp to feed them human foods like popcorn, pizza, pasta etc, and the same goes with oats.
But can gerbils eat oats?
In short, yes, gerbils can definitely eat oats. They contain carbohydrates, protein, and fiber, which can help promote a healthy digestive system. However, as with any new food, it’s important to introduce oats to your gerbil’s diet gradually and in moderation.
Read to know more
Table of Contents
Can Gerbils Eat Oats?
Gerbils can eat oats as part of their diet, but they should not be the main staple. Oats are a good source of carbohydrates and can provide some additional nutrition to a gerbil’s diet. However, gerbils primarily eat seeds and grains; they also need a small amount of seasonal fruits and greens.
Offering oats can benefit your gerbils in the following:
- Oats are a rich source of carbohydrates, protein, and fiber, which can provide the necessary energy and nutrients for gerbils.
- The high dietary fiber of oats helps assist in healthy digestion and prevents constipation.
- Also, oats have a crunchy texture that can help wear down the constantly growing teethes, which is essential for their overall health.
But keep in mind oats do not provide all the necessary nutrients. Therefore, you should focus on serving a high-quality diet of hay, fresh vegetables and a limited amount of high-quality pellet food.
Do Gerbils Need Grains In Their Diet?
Gerbils do not strictly require grain in their diet, but it can be beneficial as long as it is offered in moderation.
Gerbils are omnivorous and primarily eat seeds and grains in the wild, so they have evolved to digest and utilize these foods well. Grains like oats, barley, wheat and millet can provide essential carbohydrates, proteins and other nutrients to a gerbil’s diet.
In captivity, gerbils are usually fed a diet that consists of a commercial pellet mix, hay, and occasional treats like fresh fruits and vegetables. However, providing your gerbil with a small amount of grains like oats can be a good source of nutrition and enrichment for them.
Some Benefits of Feeding Oats to Your Gerbils
There are several potential benefits to feeding oats to gerbils as part of a balanced diet:
- Highly nutritious: Oats are a good source of carbohydrates, protein, and fiber, which can provide a bunch of health benefits to your pet.
- Dental health: Gerbils have constantly growing teeth; eating oats can help them maintain healthy teeth by promoting natural chewing behavior as it has a crunchy texture.
- Variety: Offering a variety of foods can make mealtime more interesting for gerbils and prevent boredom.
- Digestive Benefits: Oats are rich in dietary fiber, which can help to promote a healthy digestive system and prevent related issues such as constipation.
However, it’s important to note that Oats should be offered in small amounts as a treat, to avoid overfeeding. Too much oats can be harmful to your gerbils so, if you want to treat your pet with oats or other grain, do it occasionally.
How Much Oats Can Gerbils Eat?
It depends!
Gerbils can have oats but in small amounts as a treat. They offer a variety of nutrients but still should be separate from their regular diet. The thump rule is that a teaspoon of oats 1-2 times a week should be fine.
It’s essential to monitor your gerbil’s weight and overall health to ensure they get the proper nutrition. If you notice any changes, such as weight loss or diarrhea, you should stop feeding oat and consult a vet to avoid health problems.
Potential Risks or Side Effects of Feeding Oats to Gerbils
While oats can be a beneficial addition to a gerbil’s diet, there are some potential risks or side effects to be aware of when feeding oats to gerbils.
Note– while feeding oats to your gerbils, ensure that it’s fresh and does not have any molds as they could harm your pet.
Here are some potential side effects:
- Overfeeding: this is the most common problem faced by many owners, overfeeding can be a problem if you do not limit the feeding of oats which leads to several health problems, such as weight gain and other health problems.
- Allergies: Some gerbils may have an allergic reaction to oats. So, be aware of this and if you see any signs of allergies like itching, redness, and swelling. Immediately stop feeding it further and take medical advice.
- Diarrhea: Oats are a rich source of fiber, but overfeeding can cause diarrhea and digestive upset due to high fibre intake, as gerbils cannot digest a large amount of fiber.
As always, you should focus on providing a balanced diet of hay, seeds, fruit and a small amount of veggies. Also, commercial food should be included. Oats or other treats should be offered in small amounts a couple of times a week.
It’s best to consult with a veterinarian before making any significant changes to your gerbil’s diet.
Can Gerbils Eat Oat Porridge?
Gerbils can technically eat oat porridge, but it is not recommended. Oat porridge is made by cooking oats with a liquid, usually water or milk, and then sweetening it with sugar or other sweeteners, which is not good for gerbils.
This is because gerbils cannot digest lactose, the sugar in milk, and it can cause diarrhea and other digestive problems. Additionally, gerbils have small stomachs, and too much of any food can cause stomach upset. Gerbil’s diet should primarily consist of hay, fresh vegetables, and a limited amount of high-quality pellet food. If you want to treat your gerbils with oats, giving them a small amount of plain, unsweetened oats is best.
How To Prepare And Serve Oats To Your Gerbils
Gerbils can have oats as it is, but it’s good to prepare it for your little buddy as you do it for yourself. The best thing is it takes no time to prepare the oats.
Here are some tips for feeding and serving oats to your gerbils:
- Firstly, you should ensure you have taken high-quality oats. Make sure to clean them thoroughly. Rinse them under running water and remove any dirt or debris.
- Raw oats are best for your gerbils; however, if you wish to cook, make sure to use plain water without added salt, milk or sugar.
- Offer a small amount of oats to your gerbils like a teaspoon or so. You can sprinkle them on top of their regular food or offer them as a treat.
- Lastly, it’s important to keep an eye after you have fed oats to your gerbils for any adverse effects like digestive problems or weight gain. If you notice any changes, such as weight loss or diarrhea, you should stop or reduce the amount of oats after consulting your vet.
Storage tip – Keep oats in a cool, dry place to prevent mold from growing on them. If you notice any mold, discard the oats immediately.
Alternatives To Oats For Gerbils
While oats can be a beneficial addition to a gerbil’s diet, its not the only grain that gerbils can eat. Other alternatives can provide similar nutritional benefits:
- Barley: Barley is a good source of carbohydrates and fiber, and can provide similar nutritional benefits to oats.
- Wheat: Wheat is another good source of carbohydrates and offers a variety of other nutrients as well. So, consider feeding it to your gerbils as well.
- Millet: Millet is also an excellent alternative to oats as it contains a high amount of carbs, but be careful as gerbils can be allergic to certain grains.
- Quinoa: Quinoa is rich in protein, fiber and vitamins and minerals, and it can be a good alternative to oats
- Brown rice: Brown rice is a good source of carbohydrates and contains essential vitamins and minerals.
Though all these alternatives are safe and healthy, they should be offered in small amounts as a treat, and never consider a substitute for their regular meal to avoid any potential risks or side effects.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, gerbils can eat oats, but they should not be the main staple. Oats are a rich source of carbohydrates and can provide some additional nutrition to a gerbil’s diet. However, gerbils primarily eat seeds and grains, so offer oats in small amounts as a treat, and try to offer a balanced diet consisting of high-quality hay, seeds, and a small amount of fresh veggies and fruits.
Additionally, there are alternatives to oats, such as barley, wheat, millet, quinoa, brown rice, and whole wheat pasta, that can provide similar nutritional benefits to your gerbils.
Lastly, you should always talk to a professional vet before introducing any new food to your gerbils; they know what best suits your pet.
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