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In this guide, we’ll explore exactly what gerbils should eat, which fruits and vegetables are safe, and how to balance their diet with natural treats and protein sources. You’ll also learn what foods to avoid, how often to feed them, and how to make mealtimes enriching and fun.
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Let’s begin by understanding what a balanced gerbil diet really looks like.
Wild gerbils live in the dry grasslands and semi-deserts of Mongolia and northern China, where food can be scarce. They spend hours foraging for seeds, grains, herbs, roots and even small insects. This naturally varied diet keeps them lean and active, and it’s important to replicate this as closely as possible in captivity. A healthy gerbil diet should include the following key components:
| Food Type | Description | Feeding Frequency |
| Base Diet | High-quality commercial gerbil mix or pellets providing essential nutrients, minerals and fibre. | Daily |
| Hay | Essential for digestion, teeth wear, and foraging enrichment. Timothy, meadow or orchard hay is best. | Constant access |
| Fruit & Vegetables | Small pieces of safe fruit and veg for variety and hydration. | 2–3 times a week |
| Protein | Occasional animal or plant protein such as mealworms, egg or pulses. | Once or twice a week |
| Treats | Pumpkin, sunflower or flax seeds in moderation. | Weekly |
Avoid muesli-style seed mixes that allow selective feeding. Gerbils are clever foragers, and they’ll pick out the tastiest bits (usually the fattiest or sweetest) and ignore the rest, leading to nutritional imbalance.
Gerbils get much of their moisture from fresh vegetables, but they still need constant access to clean, fresh water. A water bottle with a metal sipping tube is best, as it prevents contamination from bedding. Check daily for leaks or blockages, and clean the bottle weekly to stop bacterial growth. If your tap water is heavily chlorinated, consider filtered or bottled water.
Gerbils naturally hoard food, so it can be tricky to tell how much they’ve eaten. A typical adult gerbil eats about 5–6 grams of dry food a day. Here’s a simple feeding frequency guide:
| Food Type | Frequency | Portion Size |
| Pellets / Commercial Mix | Daily | 1 teaspoon per gerbil |
| Hay (Timothy / Meadow) | Always available | Unlimited |
| Fresh Vegetables | 2–3 times a week | Small slice or cube |
| Fruit (e.g. apple, berry) | Once or twice a week | Thumbnail size |
| Seeds & Nuts | Once a week | 1–2 pieces |
| Protein Treats (insects/egg) | Once or twice a week | Tiny pinch |
Vegetables are an excellent way to add fibre, vitamins and variety to your gerbil’s diet. Fresh produce helps mimic the diversity they’d encounter in the wild. Here are some safe vegetables for gerbils:
| Safe Vegetables | Benefits |
| Carrot | Crunchy, promotes dental health, rich in vitamin A |
| Broccoli | High in fibre and antioxidants |
| Cabbage (in moderation) | Adds variety but can cause gas if overfed |
| Cauliflower | Gentle on the stomach, low in sugar |
| Chicory | A good source of fibre |
| Spinach | Packed with iron and vitamins |
| Sweet pepper | Colourful, full of vitamin C |
| Cucumber | Hydrating and refreshing |
| Courgette | Light and easy to digest |
| Fennel | Supports digestion |
| Pumpkin | Rich in nutrients and a fun seasonal option |
| Herbs (parsley, basil, coriander, sage) | Flavourful and stimulating |
Avoid onions, leeks, garlic, rhubarb, iceberg lettuce and potatoes, as these can be harmful or offer little nutrition.
Yes, broccoli is safe and highly nutritious for gerbils. It’s high in fibre and antioxidants, making it an excellent addition to their diet. Offer small florets 2-3 times a week.
Generally, lettuce should be avoided, especially iceberg lettuce, as it offers little nutrition and can cause digestive upset.
Yes, celery can be given to gerbils in moderation. It’s crunchy and hydrating, but make sure to cut it into small pieces to prevent choking. Remove any stringy parts that could be difficult to chew.
Yes, celery leaves are safe and can actually be more nutritious than the stalks. They’re packed with vitamins and make a nice occasional treat.
Absolutely. Carrots are one of the best vegetables for gerbils, offering fibre, beta-carotene and a satisfying crunch that helps keep teeth healthy. You can serve carrots raw, thinly sliced or grated. Avoid cooked carrots, as these have a higher water and sugar content.
Yes, cauliflower is gentle on the stomach and low in sugar, making it a safe vegetable choice. Like broccoli, offer it in small amounts to avoid gas.
Yes, cauliflower leaves are safe and nutritious. They can be offered alongside or instead of the florets for added variety.
Yes, cucumber is one of the safest vegetables you can offer your gerbil. It’s light, hydrating and easy to nibble on, especially during warmer months. However, cucumber is mostly water, so it should be given in small amounts. Too much can upset your gerbil’s stomach and cause diarrhoea. A thin slice once or twice a week is plenty. Always wash cucumber thoroughly and remove any waxy skin if it’s not organic.
Yes, pumpkin is rich in nutrients and makes a fun seasonal option. It’s packed with vitamins and fibre, and gerbils often enjoy its taste. Offer small cubes of fresh pumpkin 2-3 times a week.
Yes, brussels sprouts can be fed to gerbils in moderation. However, like cabbage, they can cause gas if overfed, so keep portions small and infrequent.
Yes, bell peppers (sweet peppers) are safe and colourful additions to your gerbil’s diet. They’re full of vitamin C and make an excellent treat. Remove seeds and offer small pieces.
Yes, sweet peppers are safe for gerbils. Avoid hot or spicy peppers, which can irritate their digestive system.
Yes, green beans are safe and provide good fibre. Offer them raw and cut into small pieces for easy eating.
Yes, asparagus can be given in small amounts. It’s nutritious but should only be offered occasionally due to its strong flavor and potential to cause digestive upset if overfed.
Yes, fresh corn can be offered occasionally. However, it’s high in sugar and starch, so keep portions very small. Avoid dried corn kernels as they can be a choking hazard.
Yes, kale is packed with iron and vitamins. It’s one of the healthier leafy greens you can offer, but give it in moderation as too much can cause bloating.
Yes, spinach is packed with iron and vitamins and makes an excellent addition to your gerbil’s diet. Offer fresh spinach leaves in small amounts 2-3 times a week.
No, mushrooms should be avoided. While some may be safe, many varieties can be toxic to small animals, and it’s not worth the risk.
No, onions are toxic to gerbils and should never be fed. They can cause serious health problems including damage to red blood cells.
Raw potatoes should be avoided as they contain solanine, which is toxic. Cooked potatoes can be given in very small amounts occasionally, but they’re high in starch and offer little nutritional value.
While cooked potatoes are less toxic than raw ones, they’re still not ideal for gerbils. If you do offer them, make sure they’re plain (no butter, salt, or seasoning) and only give a tiny amount very rarely.
Fruit can be a delightful treat for gerbils, but moderation is key. While it offers natural vitamins and antioxidants, it’s also high in sugar, which can lead to obesity or dental problems if overfed.
Safe fruits for gerbils include:
Offer a thumbnail-sized portion once or twice a week at most. Avoid giving fruit on consecutive days to allow their digestive system to stay balanced.
Toxic or unsuitable fruits include:
These can cause stomach upset or toxicity. A good rule of thumb, if it’s acidic or sticky it’s best avoided.
Yes, strawberries are safe for gerbils and provide vitamin C and antioxidants. Offer a small piece (about the size of your thumbnail) once or twice a week. Always wash thoroughly and remove the leaves.
Yes, blueberries are safe and nutritious for gerbils, providing antioxidants and a little sweetness. However, as with all fruit, moderation is crucial. Limit to one blueberry per gerbil once a week. Too many can cause soft stools due to the sugar and moisture content.
Yes, gerbils can eat apples but with a few precautions. Apples are one of the most popular and safest fruits to offer, but you must remove all the seeds first, as apple seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide and are toxic to rodents. Cut the apple into a small cube or thin slice and offer it as an occasional treat. Too much apple can upset their stomach because of its sugar and moisture content.
No, grapes are toxic to gerbils and should never be fed under any circumstances. Grapes (and raisins) can cause kidney failure in many small animals, including rodents. Even a small piece could make your gerbil ill.
Yes, watermelon can be offered in very small amounts. However, it’s extremely high in water content and sugar, so limit it to a tiny cube once every week or two. Too much can cause diarrhoea.
Yes, melon is safe for gerbils in moderation. Like watermelon, it’s very hydrating but high in sugar. Offer small pieces occasionally as a refreshing treat.
Yes, gerbils can eat ripe tomatoes in small amounts. However, avoid the green parts, stems, and leaves as these contain solanine, which is toxic. Only offer the ripe, red flesh and limit portions due to acidity and moisture content.
Yes, cherries can be offered occasionally, but you must remove the pit completely as it contains cyanide. The flesh is safe in small amounts, but due to high sugar content, limit to once every week or two.
Yes, peaches are safe for gerbils. Remove the pit entirely and offer small pieces of the flesh. Like other fruits, keep portions small due to sugar content.
Yes, apricots can be given in small amounts. Remove the pit completely and offer only the flesh. Due to their sweetness, limit to occasional treats.
Yes, plums are safe when the pit is removed. Offer small pieces of the flesh sparingly due to high sugar content.
No, pineapple should be avoided. It’s highly acidic and can cause mouth irritation and digestive upset in gerbils.
Yes, kiwi can be offered occasionally. It’s rich in vitamin C but quite acidic, so keep portions very small and infrequent.
Yes, mango is safe in small amounts. It’s sweet and nutritious but high in sugar, so offer only thumbnail-sized pieces once every week or two.
Yes, pomegranate seeds can be offered occasionally. They’re packed with antioxidants but high in sugar, so keep portions minimal.
Safe herbs include:
Yes, basil is safe and aromatic. Gerbils often enjoy the flavor and it provides enrichment through foraging.
Yes, parsley is safe and nutritious. It’s rich in vitamins and makes a flavourful addition to their diet.
Yes, coriander (cilantro) is safe for gerbils. It adds variety and interesting flavors to their meals.
Yes, dandelions are excellent for gerbils! Both the leaves and flowers are safe and nutritious. Make sure they’re from pesticide-free areas.
Yes, fresh grass is safe and natural for gerbils to nibble on. Ensure it’s from an area free of pesticides and chemicals.
Yes, pumpkin seeds are an excellent treat when given in moderation. They’re packed with healthy fats, magnesium and zinc, which can support your gerbil’s coat and energy levels. However, they’re calorie-dense, so think of them as a once-a-week reward rather than a regular snack.
Yes, unsalted, raw peanuts can be given occasionally. They’re high in fat, so limit to one or two peanuts per week as a special treat.
Yes, almonds can be offered in very small amounts. They’re high in fat and quite hard, so offer slivered almonds or break them into small pieces. Limit to once a week.
Yes, raw, unsalted cashews can be given sparingly. Like other nuts, they’re high in fat, so keep them as occasional treats.
Yes, hazelnuts are safe for gerbils. Offer them whole or broken into pieces as an occasional treat, no more than once a week.
Yes, unsalted pistachios (without shells) can be given occasionally. They’re nutritious but high in fat, so limit frequency.
Generally, acorns should be avoided. They contain tannins that can be toxic in large amounts and may cause digestive upset.
Although gerbils mainly eat plants and seeds, they’re actually omnivores, meaning they can benefit from small amounts of animal protein. In the wild, they occasionally eat insects or larvae, which provide essential amino acids for muscle and coat health. Protein can be introduced in several safe ways:
While gerbils are omnivores and can digest small amounts of animal protein, processed meat is not recommended. Stick to safer protein sources like insects or eggs.
No, ham should be avoided. It’s processed, high in salt and fat, and can be harmful to gerbils.
Yes, a tiny piece of boiled or scrambled egg (unseasoned) makes an excellent protein treat. Offer once or twice a week in very small amounts.
Bread can be offered in very small amounts occasionally, but it has little nutritional value. Choose whole grain varieties and avoid anything with additives, salt, or sugar.
Plain, cooked pasta can be given as an occasional treat, but it’s high in carbohydrates and offers little nutrition. Keep portions tiny.
Plain, unsweetened cheerios can be offered as an occasional treat. Avoid sugary or flavored varieties.
No, honey should be avoided. It’s far too sticky and sugary for gerbils and can cause dental problems and digestive upset.
No, avocado is toxic to gerbils and should never be fed. It contains persin, which can be fatal to small animals.
Yes, fresh sprouts (like alfalfa or bean sprouts) can be offered in small amounts. They’re nutritious but should be introduced gradually.
While hamster food might seem similar, it’s not ideal for gerbils. Gerbil-specific food is formulated for their particular nutritional needs. In a pinch, hamster food can work temporarily, but switch to proper gerbil food as soon as possible.
Rabbit pellets are not suitable for gerbils as they’re formulated differently. Rabbits need more fibre and different nutrients than gerbils. Stick to gerbil-specific food.
Some bird seeds overlap with what gerbils can eat, but bird food often contains unsuitable ingredients. It’s better to use proper gerbil food mixes.
Yes! Timothy hay is essential for gerbils. It aids digestion, helps wear down teeth, and provides foraging enrichment. Gerbils should have constant access to fresh, high-quality timothy hay.
Many new gerbil owners overlook the importance of hay quality, but not all hay is created equal. Inferior hay can be brown, dusty or brittle, which is not only unappetising but potentially harmful to sensitive respiratory systems. Happy Hay’s fresh, green, sweet-smelling hay is cut and dried with specialist techniques that lock in nutrients while staying soft and dust-free.
