Gerbils are rodents, not rabbits or hares. They belong to the same rodent family as hamsters and mice. Unlike other rodents such as guinea pigs, gerbils do not have a prehensile tail that they use for balance while walking. Instead, their bodies are adapted to run on all fours with their large paws.
Gerbils are omnivorous animals that enjoy eating a wide variety of foods. Peas are an ideal addition to any gerbilג€™s diet because they have similar nutritional qualities as seeds and nuts such as protein, minerals, vitamins and dietary fiber.
Letג€™s take a closer look at whether gerbils can eat peas:
Can Gerbils Eat Frozen or Cooked Peas?
Gerbils are extremely active animals. They will spend a large amount of their time foraging for food and foraging is one of the most important aspects of their diet. They need to be sure that they eat enough food per day to fuel their day-to-day activities.
While gerbils can eat frozen or cooked peas, it is best to provide them with fresh, raw peas as a part of their diet. Gerbils typically feed on the following foods: seeds, nuts and vegetables like carrots, green beans and apples. These types of foods give gerbils the nutrients they need without many calories in each serving size.
Can Gerbils Eat Raw or Fresh Peas?
Gerbils have a rough, short fur that makes them prone to overheating. It is best to feed them raw or fresh vegetables rather than cooked ones because they are more likely to be able to digest the nutrients in the vegetable with their short digestive tract.
Raw peas are always better for gerbils than canned or frozen peas because they have a lower moisture content and higher vitamin and mineral content. If a gerbil eats canned or frozen peas, it may not get enough of the nutrients from those peas.
Can Gerbils Eat Pea Pods?
Gerbils are omnivorous, so they can eat pea pods just like any other food. However, peas need to be shelled for gerbils to be able to eat them in their entirety. Additionally, pea pods are very fibrous and have a tough outer coating that makes them difficult for a gerbil to digest. Gerbils will often strain to chew up the pea pod, but itג€™s not an easy task when you consider the size of a pea pod relative to the size of a gerbilג€™s mouth and stomach.
Pea pods also have a high phosphorus content which can cause bloating or diarrhea in gerbils, even if they are fed the most appropriate diet. In order to combat this issue, intake of calcium and vitamin C is recommended as well as adding hay or alfalfa because these foods help improve gut health and keep digestive issues at bay.
How Much Pea Should a Gerbil Eat?
Gerbils should eat as many peas as they want. Peas are an excellent source of protein, minerals and vitamins in addition to dietary fiber. In fact, peas contain more protein than most meats.
Variety is the spice of life! Gerbils should partake in a varied diet that includes a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, insects, worms and grubs. Gerbils have a knack for adapting to new foods quickly so you donג€™t need to worry about them not being able to digest pea pods or seeds if you switch it up once in a while with something else like kale or strawberries.
