Yes, gerbils eat apples as they are omnivores in nature and can eat most things. Apple is in fact very good for their health. An apple contains lots of nutritional value for gerbils. It contains magnesium, potassium, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. But it is safe only if you feed apples in small amounts and not on daily basis. The reason is it also contains sugar and also high water content so these two things make apples an occasional treat for gerbils.
Consumption of high water level cause diarrhea in them and sugar is bad for their health. Even apple seeds are also dangerous for their health as they contain cyanide and a small portion is enough for the reason of their death. So try to feed a balanced diet to your pet gerbil which contains fruits, vegetables, and other plants.
Contents
Do gerbils like apples or not?
Gerbils eat a variety of food as it is omnivores in nature so they have the appetite to eat and digest a wide range of food items. When it comes to their occasional food, they love to eat fresh and juicy fruits and veggies and apple is one of them.
They need to change their everyday diet and want to eat something more delicious and crunchy. So gerbils love to eat apples and enjoy their taste. And feeding them a wide variety of food is also necessary to provide all the nutrients to keep them healthy in all aspects.
Nutritional aspects of apples for gerbils
Apple is a very healthy fruit for all organisms whether it is human or animal. Here is a list of various nutrients that are provided to your gerbils by apples.
- Protein – 0.060 g
- Calories – 12
- Fat – 0.042vg
- Carbohydrates – 3.35 g
- Sugar – 2.5 g
- Fiber – 0.5 g
- Potassium – 26.5 g
- Magnesium – 1.22 g
- Phosphorous – 2.5 g
- Iron – 0.02 mg
- Sodium – 0.22 mg
- Vitamin A – 0.72 µg
- Vitamin C – 1.12 µg
- Vitamin K – 0.52 µg
- Folate – 0.80 g
In the nutritional list of apples, except for sugar and high water content, there is everything good for the health of your pet gerbils. Therefore it is advisable to feed apples only in moderation and as an occasional treat t them.
Can gerbils eat apple seeds and skin?
Talking about seeds, gerbils cannot eat the seeds of apples as they are highly dangerous for them. Seeds of apples contain a compound known as amygdaline which on consumption turns out to be cyanide which is poisonous in nature. It can take a small time to kill your gerbils. They will not be able to vomit the toxins out and collapse very fast.
Apple skin is good for consumption and it is packed with different nutrients that include vitamins like A.C and K in high amounts than apple flesh. It is healthy but on the other side also contaminated with pesticides and fertilizers. So if you are willing to feed them skin then make sure properly clean it before serving it to the pets.
Health benefits of apples for gerbils
Apples have a lot of health benefits for gerbils but except seeds, as they are toxic for them. Both skin and flesh of apples contain different kind of nutrients that helps to boost the good health of gerbils. Here are some of the health benefits of apples for your pet.
1. Presence of Vitamin A:
The presence of vitamin A in the food of gerbils helps to keep their eyesight healthy and avoid the risk of night blindness in them. There are many other benefits of the consumption of vitamins Also, it boosts the immune system and strong bones and is also responsible for the good production of white blood cells in gerbils.
2. Presence of Fiber:
Apples contain a good amount of fiber and consumption of fiber is good for the health of gerbils. Fiber helps to boost the intestinal and stomach work in gerbils and is also responsible for the good health of the gut system of your pet.
3. Presence of Magnesium:
Magnesium is an essential part of the diet of gerbils. The one who consumes a lesser amount of magnesium in their diet is more prone to seizures than the one who consumes a good amount of magnesium. Therefore apple is also a good source of magnesium for gerbils.
4. Presence of Potassium:
Potassium is responsible for the strong nervous system and also helps to regulate the heart and muscle contraction in gerbils. Apple is considered the best source of potassium for them and it also helps to prevent high blood pressure and is responsible for the growth of healthy and strong muscles.
Health risk of apples for gerbils
1. Presence of Sugar Content:
Apples contain a good amount of sugar and even one slice of an apple contains around 2.5 g of sugar. Gerbils should not feed much amount of sugar as their body can’t be able to process and digest that which can make them sick. Excessive consumption of sugar in gerbils can cause serious stomach pain and digestive issues. So it is better to avoid high sugar content food to gerbils.
2. Presence of high water content:
Gerbils should not feed much amount of water as high water consumption turns out to be diarrhea and their body is not able to process high amount of water. An apple almost contains 80-85% of water content so it is advisable not to feed apples on daily basis. Also, gerbils can survive around 25 days without water which means their body is well known to live without water for days.
Wrapping Up
Yes, gerbils can eat apples but only in moderation and also as an occasional treat because there are several reasons behind this. Apples have a good amount of nutrients that are useful for their good health. It provides a lot of health benefits to gerbils and is responsible for their healthy life and also adds taste to their diet.
But some of the health risks like the presence of a high amount of sugar and water level could be dangerous for them. Moreover, the seeds present in the apples are highly poisonous for them. So make sure properly wash and remove the seeds before serving to gerbils.
More:
