Can Gerbils Eat Pumpkin Seeds?
Pumpkin seeds are a favorite treat for gerbils. Though pumpkin seeds are hard to digest, they do contain a moderate amount of iron and calcium. The magnesium in pumpkin seeds is also beneficial to gerbils. You can also offer them sesame seeds, which come from the sesame plant. They grow naturally in the wild, but are usually harvested and used in Southeast Asian recipes. They are safe for gerbils and can be easily incorporated into their diet.
| Can Gerbils Eat Pumpkin Seeds?
Pumpkin seeds are a favorite treat for gerbils. Though pumpkin seeds are hard to digest, they do contain a moderate amount of iron and calcium. The magnesium in pumpkin seeds is also beneficial to gerbils. You can also offer them sesame seeds, which come from the sesame plant. They grow naturally in the wild, but are usually harvested and used in Southeast Asian recipes. They are safe for gerbils and can be easily incorporated into their diet.
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Some gerbils don’t like the taste of squash seeds, and they’re not the right size for your gerbil. They may be too hard to eat, and seeds could damage the gerbil’s teeth. Pumpkin, squash, and melon seeds may fly off and hurt your critter’s eyes. While some seed-containing plants are healthy, they’re not particularly nutritious. In fact, many seeds are high in fat. While gerbils need fat in their diets, you shouldn’t overdo it or you’ll find your pet getting overweight.
Aside from squash, gerbils can also eat pumpkin and sesame seeds. Both are high in fiber and contain healthy fat. The seeds have a lower fat content than pumpkin seeds and are ideal for snacking. They can also be sprinkled on bedding or in the food. You can’t feed a rat or a gerbil the same food as you would your dog. However, you can give them pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds as snacks.
A small portion of pumpkin or squash seeds is not safe for gerbils. Their hard teeth can break the shell, and the seeds can fly off, injuring your critter’s eyes. A portion of the seed is okay to give your gerbil, although it’s a risk to keep it from eating too much. The same goes for raisins. You shouldn’t feed your gerbil a lot of dried fruits and vegetables.
In addition to pumpkin and squash, gerbils can also eat pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds. Neither of these seeds is good for your gerbils, but a small amount can be given to your pet as a snack. It’s best to keep these seeds out of reach of gerbils, as sunflower seeds may cause a spike in weight and are not good for gerbils.
If you can tolerate the dietary restrictions of your gerbil, he or she will most likely be healthy on the squash. The seeds in squash are high in fat, so a small amount should be avoided. Other foods that are good for gerbils include pumpkin cubes, grapes, cucumbers, and zucchini. A few fruits and vegetables are safe to serve to your gerbil. A jar of cooked pumpkin will also help your gerbil digest the contents.