Gerbils are omnivores and a healthy balanced diet for them comprises fruits, nuts, seeds and vegetables, but not all foods under these groups are beneficial to your gerbil.

Today we are going to have a look at lettuce as a vegetable for gerbils and whether or not it is advisable to feed it to them. Read to the end, to have solid facts on feeding your gerbil lettuce.

Can you give your gerbils lettuce to eat?

Yes you can. Gerbils can eat lettuce however the truth is, lettuce has little to no nutritional value.

Gerbils, just like humans, need a healthy balance of nutrients and giving them lettuce will limit the nutrients they get. Therefore, they should be given lettuce in small amounts and not as a major meal.

You know those moments when you’re running out of groceries and you only have lettuce around? That is understandable. 

What nutritious components does lettuce have?

Lettuce has low contents of protein, carbohydrates, fats, and calories yet proteins are essential for your gerbil’s development and carbohydrates are essential for their energy to move around hence without them, then they are not benefitting from lettuce. 

Lettuce, however, contains vitamin A which aids in eyesight, vitamin B6 which aids in nerve strength, Vitamin C which is good for the gerbil’s immunity, potassium for muscle strength, calcium for bones and teeth strength, and fiber for gut health and bowel movements to avoid constipation.

Note that these components are in little contents that can benefit your gerbil but not to the maximum as other foods, hence lettuce cannot be the only meal you feed your gerbil. 

What type of lettuce is therefore better for my gerbil?

There are different types of lettuce which originate from different parts of the world. Some of the examples of lettuce are Celtuce, Oilseed lettuce, Romaine lettuce, Iceberg lettuce, summer head lettuce, loose leaf lettuce and Butter head lettuce. 

Not all these types of lettuce are good for your gerbil.

In terms of water concentration, the best lettuce to give your gerbil is the Loose-leaf lettuce, as it has the least water content of 94% while the worst lettuce to give your gerbil is the iceberg lettuce as it has up to 96% water content. 

Types of lettuce with 95% water content which is moderate are Romaine and Butter head lettuce therefore they should be Plan B if you lack the loose-leaf lettuce. 

What are the effects of your gerbil eating too much lettuce?

Research by professional certified veterinary doctors have shown that when you give your gerbil too much lettuce, it is most likely to be over-hydrated and lack sodium; this is because lettuce has a high percentage of water, up to 97%.

It may result in symptoms such as diarrhea and also long-term damage to their internal organs, such as liver and kidneys. 

Did you know that gerbils being desert animals need only about 3-5ml of water per day? Anything beyond that may be too much. 

How much is too much lettuce for your gerbil?

As mentioned earlier, gerbils should be given lettuce in small amounts and as a snack, not the main meal.

Approximately the size of the lettuce should be equal to the size of your gerbil’s head that is enough for a day for your gerbil. Your gerbil should eat lettuce not more than twice a week and if possible, just once.

If you give it more often, it will have harm and cause negative health effects.

How to feed your gerbil lettuce.

After washing the lettuce very well, cut the lettuce into edible and manageable small pieces. It is advisable that you cut them into sizes as small as the gerbil’s hand.

Once your gerbil is done eating, clear and clean the surface your gerbil was eating from well to ensure that no extra lettuce is remaining. This is because lettuce can get spoiled quickly and begins to wilt encouraging bacteria which may be harmful to your gerbil.

Three main precautions when feeding lettuce to your gerbil.

• Wash your lettuce thoroughly- It is important to wash your lettuce well to eradicate the chances of your lettuce having bacteria known as Listeria which can poison your gerbil.
• Do not season the lettuce- It is common for people to be tempted to give their gerbil a portion of their seasoned salad. This is not good, as the chemicals in the seasoning may be toxic to your gerbil.
• Do not feed your gerbil the hard part of the lettuce- The hard part of the lettuce is often referred to as the stalk. You should not give your gerbil this because it may be hard for your gerbil to digest the hard parts.

NOTE
Just like human beings, gerbils have preferences. It is important to study the reaction of your gerbil, for instance, chances of diarrhea, to the lettuce to know if you should avoid at all costs or continue giving in small portions. If your gerbil has a bad reaction such as diarrhea, then stop giving it.

Other Questions

What vegetables can gerbils eat?

Gerbils should only eat fresh raw vegetables, and you should cut them into tiny manageable pieces for them.

Some of the vegetables that you can give your gerbil are leafy greens like kales, spinach, broccoli, and cabbage. They can also eat basil, celery, peas, cauliflower, and bell pepper. 

Other than vegetables, gerbils can also eat fruits like bananas, apples, pears, and seeds of grasses, bulbs, and herbs.

What is poisonous to gerbils?

It is a myth that gerbils should eat anything and everything at their disposal just because they belong to the family of rodents! Some foods may actually be very harmful, toxic, and poisonous to your gerbil and can even lead to death. 

Do not give your gerbil sunflower seeds or avocados as they have extremely high contents of fats and can lead to obesity. Citrus fruits are also not good as they are too acidic and can cause gastrointestinal complication.

Strawberry seeds and sunflower seeds are also not the best as they contain poisonous cyanide in them that if taken in excess can harm your gerbil. Lastly, onions family such as garlic, red, yellow or white onions and the rest and potatoes family such as sweet potatoes and yams are a big No for your gerbil. 

Some leaves such as nightshade, hemlock, daffodils should not be included in a gerbil’s diet. 

In conclusion, anything cooked, salted, and processed is not advisable to feed your gerbil this is because salted food will dehydrate your gerbil and processed foods have chemicals, that were included in the processing, that are toxic to gerbils.

What is a gerbil’s favorite food?

Gerbils generally love raw, crunchy and dry foods like nuts and seeds that they can chew and gnaw on. Foods such as millets, pumpkin seeds, raw broccoli, dried fruits like raisins in small portions, apples, pears, unsweetened cereals like rice kernels, and the likes are a favorite to gerbils because they are crunchy.

The raw foods such as nuts and seed also help them to gnaw on preventing their teeth from overgrowing.

Treats are also gerbil’s favorites. They have the necessary components and are well rationed to the exact likeness of your gerbil. What are you waiting for? Rush to that pet store and grab your gerbil a gerbil specified treat!