Blueberries are considered a superfood, which means that they can protect the body from certain diseases and is healthy all around. Blueberries are delectable and refreshing, so it’s no surprise that this is such a popular fruit.
Blueberries are a fantastic treat for the holidays and parents often turn them into tangy popsicles on hot summer days. Even though humans enjoy them, can gerbils eat blueberries? Let’s find out if your gerbils can munch on this tasty snack!
Can Gerbils Eat Blueberries?
Gerbils can eat blueberries as a rare treat. Like strawberries, blueberries contain a considerable amount of water. Blueberries are made up of about 84% which is not the best for gerbils. Gerbils prefer a dry diet which they have grown accustomed to in natural habitats such the desert and shrubland.
If you do decide to feed blueberries to your gerbil, he should only receive a small amount as an occasional treat. However, it is best to avoid blueberries altogether, because your pet can eat more nutritious foods included in regular pellet mix.
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Possible Benefits of Blueberries for Gerbils
According to Healthline, blueberries are one of the most nutritionally dense foods, which is why it’s referred to as a superfood. A cup of raw blueberries contains the following:
- Water 84.2 grams
- Protein 0.74 grams
- Carbohydrates 14.5 grams
- Fiber: 4 grams
- Vitamin C: 24% of the RDI
- Vitamin K: 36% of the RDI
- Manganese: 25% of the RDI
- Small amounts of various other nutrients
Just as with other fruits, blueberries contain vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, sugar, and of course water. This is fine for gerbils, but they shouldn’t be fed too much sugar or water, which is why fruits are not a major part of their diet.
Antioxidants
These are great for gerbils because they protect the body from free radicals which damage cells and lead to degenerative diseases. The more antioxidants your gerbil is exposed to, the more chances his little cells have to fight off sickness. Blueberries have one of the greatest antioxidant levels among fruits, so I’d say that’s a big plus!
Blueberries Can Lower Blood Pressure
This is great for your gerbil if he’s suffering from high blood pressure or other heart problems. Studies have shown a reduction in blood pressure amount obese persons after eating blueberries. Gerbils are prone to weight gain, so this is a tasty fruit for them to have in small amounts.
Blueberries Can Improve Brain Function
If you’ve ever wanted to improve your gerbil’s brain function, then blueberries might be the answer. Animal studies have shown that blueberries can affect the parts of the brain that are needed for intelligence.
Reasons to Avoid Feeding Blueberries to Gerbils
Even though blueberries have fantastic benefits, for gerbils, the risks of eating them in excess probably outweigh these benefits. The blueberry itself is one of the best fruits to eat when it comes to health and nutrition, but you should take special care when feeding them to gerbils.
Gerbils Can Experience Diarrhea
Blueberries do contain a large amount of water. If your gerbil eats too much of this fruit, it can cause stomach problems and lead to diarrhea. During this time, it will be more difficult for your gerbil to absorb nutrients. Without the necessary nutrients in his system, it makes it much harder to fight off illness. Your gerbil can experience dehydration if he loses too much water.
Obesity
Blueberries do contain sugar which means gerbils should only eat them in moderation. When gerbils eat too much sugar, and they don’t use enough energy, it can be stored in the body as fat. If not managed, your gerbil can experience weight gain and develop mobility issues.
Digestive Issues from Acids
Fruits like blueberries are acidic. While this cannot be avoided, you can reduce the risks by feeding fewer fruits or avoiding acidic fruits altogether. Blueberries are highly acidic, so when it’s introduced into your pet’s stomach. It can cause digestive issues because it’s more difficult for food to break down. If you want to prevent this risk, don’t feed him too many blueberries.
Sensitivity in the Mouth
The acids contained in blueberries can also affect your gerbil’s oral health. The acids can destroy the lining in your gerbil’s mouth which can cause some discomfort. Your gerbil may also experience pain, which may cause him to eat less food throughout the day. If you notice this, stop feeding him blueberries and watch if the symptoms stop.
How Many Blueberries Can Gerbils Eat?
A gerbil can safely eat one blueberry once or twice a week and no more than that. While this isn’t a hard and fast rule, it’s best to lean on giving smaller quantities just to be safe. You may choose to give your gerbil more or less than this amount and that’s totally fine! One of the best ways to be sure is to check with your vet.
How to Feed Blueberries to Your Gerbil
To provide optimal nutrition to your gerbil, it’s best to find blueberries in season. These can be obtained from your local supermarket or farmer’s markets which could be more affordable. Also, your gerbil will enjoy fresh blueberries more, because they’re tastier!
In order to keep them fresher, try doing the following:
Clean blueberries with water and vinegar and try dipping them in the mixture instead of soaking them. You don’t want them to taste like vinegar! Dry the fruits, place them in a clean container, and refrigerate them for your gerbil to enjoy.
Once you’re ready to feed your gerbil, cut them into smaller pieces and watch how your pet reacts to the fruit. If you notice any negative reaction, stop feeding the fruit and get advice from your vet.
Do Gerbils Like Blueberries?
Generally, gerbils enjoy berries as they do with most other fruits. However, it’s not a guarantee that every gerbil will like eating blueberries. If you notice that your gerbil refuses blueberries, no hard feelings. Maybe he’s just feeling picky that day.
Can Gerbils Eat Dehydrated Blueberries?
These are blueberries that have had most of the water content removed which is a great option for gerbils. That’s because the risk of diarrhea caused by ingesting too much water is gone. Your gerbils will enjoy the taste and texture and depending on their preference, probably more than fresh blueberries. Dehydrated blueberries will contain more sugar than fresh ones, so you should portion this carefully.
Can Gerbils Eat Frozen Blueberries?
Gerbils can eat frozen blueberries, but they probably aren’t the best because the texture is hard and it can lower his body temperature. Of course, they can be thawed completely, and your gerbil can safely eat these. Your gerbil may not like the texture as much as fresh blueberries, but you can still give it a try.
Can Gerbils Eat Other Parts of the Blueberry?
You might also want to know if gerbils can eat the other parts of the blueberry. Gerbils can eat other parts such as blueberry stems and blueberry leaves. These parts are also packed with antioxidants which are beneficial to your gerbil.
Chewing on healthy food items with varying textures can assist with keeping your gerbil’s teeth filed down, as they continue growing throughout his life.
Can Gerbils Eat Blueberry Jam?
Gerbils should not eat blueberry jam because store-bought jam contains added sugar, artificial flavors, and additives that are harmful to a gerbil’s health. Also, there are no nutrients contained in blueberry jam, so it’s totally unnecessary as food.
Healthy Alternatives for Gerbils
Gerbils can enjoy blueberries occasionally along with the following fruits:
- Strawberries
- Goji berries
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Bananas
- Carrots
Final Thoughts: Can Gerbils Eat Blueberries?
Gerbils can eat blueberries in moderation as it’s a healthy fruit containing vitamins and antioxidants that provide great health benefits. However, if given in excess, your gerbil can have digestive issues and develop obesity.
Try giving your gerbil one blueberry twice a week, as moderation is key. He can also enjoy dried or dehydrated blueberries and frozen blueberries. Your gerbil will enjoy sweet snacks like blueberries so it’s safe to add it to his diet as a supplement.