Plums are a truly mesmerizing fruit. Their smooth, velvety skin is an enchanting shade of deep purple, often with a subtle bloom that adds to their allure.
When you bite into a ripe plum, the sweet juice explodes in your mouth, filling it with a delicious, succulent flavor that is both tangy and sweet.
The fragrance of a fresh plum is intoxicating, evoking memories of lazy summer afternoons spent in the orchard, picking these precious fruits.
Plums are not just beautiful and delicious, but they are also packed with nutrition.
But can gerbils eat plums?
It’s a very important question because what you feed your pet most definitely affects their health.
Gerbils are delightful pets that bring joy and companionship to many households, so as a caregiver, it’s important to ensure that they are receiving a healthy and balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs.
While many pet owners are aware of the staple foods that their gerbils can eat, such as seeds, hay, and vegetables, some may wonder about the suitability of more exotic fruits in their furry friend’s diet.
In this blog post, we’ll find out if plums are a safe and nutritious food for gerbils, and provide you with some helpful tips on plums and feeding food to your furry companions.
Let’s dive in!
Can Gerbils Eat Plums?
We can all admit that plums are yummy and yes, gerbils can eat them in moderation.
Plums are a good source of vitamins and fiber, which can be beneficial for your pet gerbil’s health.
Just be careful and remove the plum pit as it contains cyanide and can be a choking hazard for your pet. As with any new food, introduce plums gradually and in small quantities to avoid any digestive upset.
What’s So Great About Plums Anyway?
Plums are great because they are a fantastic nutritional source for your pet. And did we mention that they taste awesome too?
They are low in calories and rich in vitamins and minerals.
Here is a general nutritional profile for plums:
- Calories: 46 per 100 grams
- Carbohydrates: 11.4 grams per 100 grams
- Fiber: 1.4 grams per 100 grams
- Protein: 0.7 grams per 100 grams
- Fat: 0.3 grams per 100 grams
- Vitamin C: 9.5% of the daily value per 100 grams
- Vitamin K: 6.4% of the daily value per 100 grams
- Potassium: 157 mg per 100 grams
Plums also contain small amounts of other vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin B6, calcium, and magnesium.
Additionally, plums are high in antioxidants, which may have health benefits such as reducing inflammation and protecting against disease.
Other Benefits of Eating Plums:
- Improved digestion
- Antioxidant properties
- Lowered risk of chronic disease
- Improved bone health
- Improved immune function
- Improved skin health
It’s worth noting that more research is needed to fully understand the potential health benefits of plums, and that they should be consumed as part of a balanced diet rather than relied upon as a sole source of nutrition.
Are Plums Safe for Gerbils?
Since gerbils can indeed munch on some juicy plums, they are safe
There are no studies that indicate that plums are harmful to gerbils, though the oxalate content may affect humans as it can cause kidney stones.
Plums should just be a treat for your pet, but not an everyday meal.
Are There Any Risks of Feeding Plums to Gerbils?
Yes, there are risks associated with feeding plums to gerbils.
The pits of plums contain cyanide, which is toxic to gerbils and can lead to serious health problems or even death if ingested.
It is important to avoid feeding your gerbil any fruits with pits, including plums.
Instead, opt for safer fruit options such as apples or bananas, and always feed them in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
It’s also important to remember that gerbils require a diet primarily composed of pellets and hay, with treats like fruit only making up a small portion of their diet.
Fun Ways to Introduce Plums to Gerbils
One idea is to create a “fruit kabob” by skewering small pieces of plum on a wooden stick or toothpick. This not only makes the fruit more exciting for your gerbils to eat, but it also promotes physical activity and foraging behavior.
Another option is to offer the fruit in puzzle feeders or treat balls, which require your gerbils to work for their food and provide mental stimulation.
Plums are a tasty treat for your pet to enjoy occasionally. Just make sure to introduce new foods to your gerbils slowly and in small amounts to prevent any digestive upset.
Always monitor your gerbil closely when introducing new foods and if you notice any adverse reactions, discontinue feeding the food immediately.
How Much Plum Can Gerbils Eat and How Often?
Gerbils are omnivores so they do eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grass, and insects throughout their lifetime.
However, it’s not recommended that they eat too much of any fruits.
A general guideline for feeding treats like fruit to gerbils is to limit them to no more than 10% of their total diet.
This means that if you choose to feed your gerbil plum as a treat, you should offer only a very small amount, such as a small bite or two, and no more than once or twice a week.
It’s important to remember that treats should not replace your gerbil’s main diet of pellets and hay, which provide the essential nutrients they need to stay healthy.
Offering too many treats, including plums, can lead to obesity, digestive issues, and dental problems.
Tasty Fruits for Gerbils to Try:
Here is a list of yummy fruits that gerbils can safely eat in small amounts as part of a balanced diet:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Cherries (without pits)
- Mangoes
- Melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon)
- Peaches (without pits)
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
Not Recommended: Pineapples
Can Gerbils Eat Plums?
Gerbils can safely eat plums as long as they are given without pits.
Plums are a great source of vitamins and antioxidants that can benefit your gerbil’s health in moderation.
Just make sure that your pet is eating a variety of foods and not just plums or other fruits.
When introducing new foods like plums, do so slowly and in small amounts to avoid digestive upset, and make sure to monitor your gerbil closely for any signs of health problems.