Gerbils can eat peanuts in small quantities. They are a rich source of protein, essential vitamins and minerals such as potassium, biotin, copper, fiber, vitamin E, folate and healthy fats, making them a great snack option for gerbils.
However, it should only be given occasionally due to its high-fat content.
Also, do not feed salted or seasoned peanuts, as most of the ingredients used in flavored peanuts are not safe for pets. Also, excess salt can be dangerous for health.
Read to know more.
Table of Contents
What Do Gerbils Usually Eat?
- High-quality gerbil mix, seeds, and pellets should be a staple part of their diet.
- Gerbils can have 10% of their total diet as fruits or vegetables; they have a high nutritional value which helps them balance their diet.
- While gerbils do not drink much water, they should have access to fresh water 24/7 in their cage, preferably by a pet bottle.
- You can also sparingly give mealworms, crickets, and other insects a few times a week. They are a good source of protein.
Keep in mind that gerbils live in deserted areas and eat what is available. Usually, it’s a low-water-based food, including various nuts. However, due to their high-fat content, they should be given in moderation.
Can Gerbils Eat Peanuts?
Yes, gerbils can have peanuts, too, with pleasure. Peanuts are a rich source of vitamins, fat, and several vitamins and minerals essential for gerbils. However, salted or flavored peanuts should strictly avoid as they are not safe for your pet. Plain, unsalted peanuts can be given to your gerbils in small quantities.
Remember, too much peanut can lead to digestive issues, most probably gas, bloating or diarrhea. Also, they are high in calories, so they can easily make your gerbils overweight.
Therefore, you can give peanuts to your gerbils in moderation, like a couple of pieces throughout the week.
Do Gerbils Like Peanuts?
Yes, gerbils enjoy having peanuts. In the wild, gerbils eat various nuts, so it’s natural for them to eat peanuts as well. They have a high-fat content; however, its considered healthy fat. Also, peanuts are a rich source of protein and micronutrients, which are essential for gerbils.
Peanuts have a crunchy texture which is again beneficial for gerbils. Munching on them can help your gerbil keep their teeth to a maintained length and avoid health problems.
However, peanuts should be only given as a treat due to their high-fat content. While a few pieces occasionally won’t harm gerbils, overeating can cause several health problems like gas, bloating, diarrhea or loose stool.
Is Peanuts Healthy For Gerbils?
Yes, there are numerous health benefits of peanuts for gerbils. Peanuts are high in protein, fiber, and other essential nutrients, which makes them an excellent snack option for your pet. Also, carbohydrates fuel your gerbils to be energized for everyday activity.
However, a staple gerbil’s diet should comprise plant roots, grains and commercial gerbil mix. Peanuts should only consider as a snack or treat option.
According to Healthline, 100g peanut contains:
- Calories: 567
- Protein: 25.8 grams
- Fat: 49.2 grams
- Carbs: 16.1 grams
- Sugar: 4.7 grams
- Fiber: 8.5 grams
- Potassium: 705mg
Other Benefits of peanuts include:
The high protein of peanuts helps gerbils in muscle building and tissue repair. It also aids in other functional activities like strengthening their teeth, nails etc.
Peanuts are high in fat; this can help underweight gerbils to put on some weight. However, be careful as they can be easily addicted and may refuse to eat a regular diet.
Fiber is another helpful element of peanuts. A handful of peanuts contains about 2-3grams of fiber which is sufficient for maintaining a healthy digestive system. It also lowers the chance of constipation and improves bowel movement.
The crunchy texture of peanuts is also great for their teeth; it helps them maintain their teeth to the top-notch and prevents them from growing constantly. It’s crucial as it can negatively impact their eating habits.
Can Peanuts Be Bad For Gerbils?
It can be!
Peanuts are high in fat which is not suitable for gerbils. A few pieces of peanuts are not likely to harm your gerbils. However, too much can lead to obesity.
A sudden dietary change likely makes your gerbil’s digestive system worse. It can cause stomach upset, leading to gas, bloating or diarrhea. Too much diarrhea is not good for pets as it quickly leads to dehydration, which is dangerous.
Moreover, flavored or fried peanuts are more dangerous; they contain toxic ingredients for gerbils like garlic, excess salt and oil.
Thus, in moderation, you can feed unsalted or unflavored peanuts to your gerbils. Remember, they are high in fat, and your gerbils can quickly gain weight if fed in excess.
Plain, unflavored peanuts are best for pets.
How Many Peanuts Can Gerbils Have?
A few!
Peanuts are an excellent source of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. These are essential for gerbils, but the fat content is way too much. Excess fat in a gerbil’s diet can lead to obesity and other heart problems.
However, occasionally, a few pieces, like 4-5, won’t likely harm your gerbils. They can be used as a treat to strengthen the bond between the two.
A thumb rule is that gerbils shouldn’t have more than 10% of their total diet as a treat. So, whether it’s peanut or any other treat, limit it to avoid health problems.
Peanuts can be given as a treat to reward your pet. It shouldn’t be too often as they may get addicted to treats and reject their regular food. They need a high-quality gerbil mix with occasional fruit and vegetable to complete their nutritional requirement.
How Often Can Gerbils Eat Peanuts?
Once or twice a week shouldn’t cause any harm.
However, as I said earlier, peanuts are high in fat which is not suitable for gerbils. In the wild, they eat a variety of food, primarily low-fat; typically, gerbils don’t need a high fat in their diet.
Gerbils are omnivore rodents; they usually eat a variety of grass, seeds, and vegetables in small quantities. All of these are low in fat; however, they eat a small number of seeds and nuts, but feeding too often can lead to various health problems like stomach upset, diarrhea or loose stool.
Also, due to high fat, there is a risk of making your gerbils obese in no time.
Can Gerbils Eat Salted Peanuts?
No, it’s not recommended.
Salted peanuts are the most famous and liked by people; however, it’s not good for gerbils due to high salt.
Too much salt can be dangerous for pets. It can cause several health problems.
For example, excess salt can raise the blood pressure level of your gerbils, which can lead to more severe conditions like heart issues.
Dehydration is another issue if your gerbil has too much salt; gerbils do not consume much water, so it’s highly risky for gerbils to have excess salt.
Moreover, excess sodium can promote other health issue such as stroke, stomach cancer, kidney issues, heart failure etc.
Therefore, avoid feeding salted peanuts; opt for plain raw or roasted peanuts without any salt or added flavorings.
Can Gerbils Eat Peanut Butter?
Similarly, gerbils can also have peanut butter as long as they do not contain harmful substances like salt, sugar or preservatives. It’s best to make peanut butter at home.
Gerbils can have a small bite of peanut butter. However, since peanut butter is high in calories, you should avoid it in large quantities as it can lead to severe health problems like obesity, heart issues, and so on.
If we talk about the positive sides, peanut butter is loaded with healthy nutrients such as high-quality protein, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E, B6, Folate, Magnesium, copper and more.
Peanuts also are a rich source of antioxidants such as p-coumaric acid.
What Other Nuts Can Gerbils Have?
Most of the nuts are safe for gerbils; however, there are a few things that you need to remember.
Firstly, gerbils are omnivore rodents, they do consume nuts in their natural diet, but due to the high fat percentage, it should be given in a moderate way. For example, a few pieces of nuts 1-2 times a week should be fine.
Also, avoid salted, sweetened or flavored nuts. These are highly spiced with different flavors, which is not safe for gerbils. Some can even lead to life-threatening conditions. You can also opt for raw nuts if available.
Here are some nuts for your little buddy:
- Peanuts (obviously)
- Almonds
- Pecans
- Pistachio
- Hazel nuts
- Macadamia nuts
- Brazil nuts
And so on.
While most nuts are safe for gerbils, there are some types of nuts that you should never give to your gerbils. Some of them would be salted nuts, flavored or even cooked ones.
They are highly unhealthy, and some are life-threatening and dangerous for pets.
Also, avoid overfeeding, as nuts are high in fats. Gerbils usually don’t need high fat in their diet, and they might store it as fat and become obese.
Final Thoughts
To summarize, gerbils can have peanuts as long they are unsalted or contain no flavors, as they are highly dangerous for gerbils.
In the wild, gerbils do eat various nuts, but they are raw and highly nutritious, so if you want, you can offer a few pieces of raw peanuts to your pet but avoid feeding salted or flavored ones as most of the ingredients used are highly toxic for gerbils and can lead to severe health problems.
Peanuts are very high in fat; it can easily make your gerbils overweight, leading to other health problems. It’s fine to offer a few pieces of peanuts to your gerbils, but you should stick with their high-quality gerbil mix, seeds or pellets, and treats should only be given occasionally.
If you still have doubts, consult with your local vet.
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