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What Do Gerbils Eat?

A Guide to a Healthy Gerbil Diet, Safe Foods and Treats

GERBIL CARE HUB

9/2/20255 min read

What Should a Pet Gerbil's Diet Consist Of?

Gerbils are omnivores with a taste for variety, and a well balanced diet is essential for keeping them healthy and happy. Gerbils thrive on a balanced diet consisting mainly of high-quality gerbil food, supplemented with fresh vegetables, herbs, occasional fruit and protein-rich treats such as mealworms. Fresh water should always be available, while sugary or toxic foods should be avoided.

A healthy gerbil diet should be based on a high-quality commercial gerbil food, supplemented with safe fresh foods and occasional protein-rich treats.

Core Diet

The majority of your gerbil's diet should come from a nutritionally complete food formulated specifically for gerbils.

Look for:

High-quality gerbil pellets

Gerbil lab blocks
Species-specific gerbil food mixes

I generally recommend avoiding muesli-style mixes. Many gerbils selectively feed, picking out the sugary or fatty ingredients while leaving behind the more nutritious components. This can lead to an unbalanced diet over time.

Seeds and Grains

Gerbils naturally enjoy a variety of seeds and grains.

Suitable options include:

Pumpkin seeds can make an excellent treat, but like sunflower seeds should only be offered in moderation.

Safe Fruits and Vegetables for Gerbils

Fresh foods can provide enrichment, hydration, and dietary variety when offered in appropriate amounts. At Treats 4 Squeaks, we recommend introducing new foods gradually and observing your gerbil for any digestive upset.

Safe Fruits

Gerbils can enjoy small portions of:

Because fruit contains natural sugars, it should only be offered occasionally as a treat.

Safe Vegetables

Good vegetable choices include:

Carrot
Cucumber
Fennel
Pumpkin
Broccoli
Sweet potato

Whenever introducing a new food, start with a small amount and monitor for digestive upset.

Protein Treats for Gerbils

As omnivores, gerbils benefit from occasional sources of protein.

Suitable protein treats include:

Boiled egg
Scrambled egg (plain)
Dried mealworms
Crickets
Small amounts of lean cooked chicken
Lentils
Peas
Chickpeas

Protein treats should be offered occasionally rather than daily.

Foods Gerbils Should Never Eat

Some foods can be harmful or potentially toxic to gerbils.

Avoid feeding:

Grapes
Rhubarb
Chocolate
Alcohol
Caffeinated drinks
Sugary processed foods
Salty snacks

If you're ever unsure whether a food is safe, it's always best to leave it out.

Fresh Water Is Essential

Fresh, clean water should always be available.

A water bottle with a metal sipper tube is usually the best option, as it helps keep water clean and prevents contamination from bedding.

Check the bottle daily for:

Leaks
Blockages
Proper water flow

Encourage Natural Foraging Behaviour

In the wild, gerbils spend much of their time searching for food. Recreating this behaviour in captivity provides valuable mental stimulation.

Instead of placing all food in a bowl, try:

Scattering food throughout the enclosure
Hiding food within safe substrates
Using forage mixes
Offering safe chewable enrichment

This encourages natural behaviours and can help prevent boredom.

Gerbil Feeding Chart

Gerbil Food List

Frequently Asked Questions

What do gerbils eat every day?

A gerbil's daily diet should consist primarily of a high-quality gerbil food, such as pellets or lab blocks formulated specifically for gerbils - see Gerbil Geographical here Gerbil Geographical | Treats 4 Squeaks

Fresh water should always be available, while vegetables, herbs, and treats can be offered throughout the week in moderation.

Can gerbils eat fruit?

Yes, gerbils can eat certain fruits as occasional treats. Safe fruits include apple (without seeds), pear, banana, strawberry, mango, and melon. Because fruit contains natural sugars, it should only be fed in small amounts - High-Quality Gerbil Treats for Optimal Nutrition | Treats 4 Squeaks

Can gerbils eat vegetables?

Yes. Fresh vegetables can provide enrichment and variety when fed alongside a balanced gerbil diet. Safe vegetables include carrot, cucumber, broccoli, fennel, pumpkin, peas, and sweet potato.

Can gerbils eat bananas?

Yes, gerbils can eat bananas when offered in small quantities. Due to their high sugar content, bananas should be considered an occasional treat rather than a regular part of their diet. Treats 4 Squeaks Banana Bites are 100% natural - Banana bites | Treats 4 Squeaks

Can gerbils eat strawberries?

Yes. Gerbils can eat strawberries and can be offered as an occasional treat. Feed small pieces and remove any uneaten fruit to prevent spoilage. Treats 4 Squeaks Strawberry Slices are 100% natural - Strawberry slices | Treats 4 Squeaks

Can gerbils eat apples?

Yes, gerbils can eat apples provided the seeds are removed. Apples should be fed in moderation as part of a varied diet. Treats 4 Squeaks Apple Slices are 100% natural - Apple slices | Treats 4 Squeaks

Can gerbils eat mango?

Yes. Gerbils can eat mango in small amounts and can make a tasty treat. Like other fruits, it should only be offered occasionally due to its natural sugar content. Treats 4 Squeaks Mango is 100% natural -

Can gerbils eat grapes?

No. Gerbils can not eat grapes and are generally not recommended for gerbils and should be avoided. There are many other fruits that can be offered safely instead.

Can gerbils eat mealworms?

Yes. Gerbils can eat mealworms and are a popular protein-rich treat for gerbils. As omnivores, gerbils benefit from occasional protein sources, but mealworms should only be fed in moderation. Treats 4 Squeaks provides natural dried mealworms - Dried Mealworms – Natural Protein Treat for Small Pets | Treats 4 Squeaks

Can gerbils eat cucumber?

Yes, gerbils can eat cucumber as an occasional treat. Cucumber contains a high amount of water, so it should only be offered in small pieces to avoid digestive issues. Remove any uneaten cucumber after a few hours to keep the enclosure clean.

Can gerbils eat watermelon?

Yes, gerbils can eat watermelon in small amounts as an occasional treat. Because watermelon contains a lot of water and natural sugar, only a small piece should be given and any leftovers should be removed promptly.

What foods are toxic to gerbils?

Foods that should never be fed to gerbils include grapes, rhubarb, chocolate, alcohol, caffeinated drinks, sugary processed foods, and salty snacks. If you're unsure whether a food is safe, it's best not to feed it.

What is a gerbil's favourite food?

Every gerbil is different, but many enjoy pumpkin seeds, millet sprays, mealworms, fresh herbs, and small pieces of fruit. Favourite foods should be offered as treats rather than daily staples.

How often should I feed my gerbil?

Gerbils should have access to their main food every day, along with fresh water at all times. Vegetables and herbs can be offered several times per week, while fruit and protein treats should be given in moderation.

Do gerbils need protein in their diet?

Yes. Gerbils are omnivores and benefit from occasional protein-rich foods such as mealworms, crickets, boiled egg, lentils, peas and chickpeas.

Can gerbils eat pumpkin and sunflower seeds?

Yes, but only in moderation. Pumpkin and sunflower seeds are high in fat and should be considered a treat rather than a staple food.

What is the best food for gerbils?

The best food for gerbils is a high-quality pellet or lab block designed specifically for gerbils. These provide balanced nutrition and help prevent selective feeding, which is common with muesli-style mixes. Some examples can be found here - Gerbil Geographical | Treats 4 Squeaks

Looking for Healthy Gerbil Treats?

If you're searching for safe enrichment foods and forage options, explore our range of high-quality gerbil treats designed to support natural foraging behaviour and dietary variety.

High-Quality Gerbil Treats for Optimal Nutrition | Treats 4 Squeaks